The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) Food and Nutrition Service (FNS) announced $5.2 million in grant awards to bring nutritious, local foods into schools and create new economic opportunities for farmers. The grants, part of the USDA Farm to School Program, will impact over 6,000 schools and 2.8 million students nationwide. “USDA is committed to helping our children build bright futures …
American Farm Bureau Board Votes Unanimously to Support Goodlatte AG Act Provisions
The American Farm Bureau Federation’s board of directors voted unanimously to support House passage of H.R. 4760, a broad immigration bill, based on the strength of agricultural labor provisions included in the legislation. “The American Farm Bureau board was resolute and unanimous in its support of these agricultural labor reforms,” said AFBF President Zippy Duvall. “Those provisions authorize a new …
Enrollment for Safety Net Coverage Ends August 1
Farmers and ranchers, with base acres in the Agriculture Risk Coverage (ARC) or Price Loss Coverage (PLC) safety net programs, are being reminded enrollment for the 2018 crop year ends August 1, 2018. Producers on a farm that is not enrolled for the 2018 crop year will not be eligible for financial assistance from the ARC or PLC programs should …
China Could Step Up Trade War Tactics
China could ratchet up its trade war tactics against the United States as President Donald Trump has escalated the trade war between the two nations this week. Politico points out that China knows how to fight a trade war and could go beyond retaliatory tariffs next. China has been known to successfully encourage its 1.4 billion population to give up …
Heitkamp: Trade War Strikes at Rural Economies
North Dakota Senator Heidi Heitkamp says if President Trump follows through with tariffs on China announced this week China’s retaliation would be “both strong in quantity and gravity.” The comments come as China indicated it would impose retaliatory trade barriers that are against U.S. goods if the administration follows through with the threat, causing soybean prices to plummet to a …
Canada Dairy Group Understanding of U.S. Frustrations
The largest dairy processor in Canada says President Trump “has a point” when it comes to dairy trade between the U.S. and Canada. Saputo Inc. told Reuters:“Canada should consider eliminating its Class 7 milk policy in order to renegotiate the North American Free Trade Agreement with the United States.” The CEO says he understands “the frustrations,” adding, “quite frankly I …
Plant-Based Milk Alternatives Changing Dairy Market
A new report from CoBank predicts continued double-digit growth in the plant-based milk alternatives market. The report says sales are up 61 percent over the past five years, with slower growth of 15 to 25 percent projected by 2022. Meanwhile, cow’s milk consumption continues a decades-long slump. However, a CoBank spokesperson says the total volume of alternative milk is “relatively …
Grant Awarded for Studying Livestock Antimicrobials Impact
A $3.1 million grant will fund research studying the impacts of California’s new legislation limiting the use of antimicrobial drugs given to livestock raised in the state. Meat industry publication Meatingplace reports the grant from the Wellcome Trust will fund research at George Washington University Milken Institute School of Public Health. The California law took effect this year and is …
FY-19 Planning is Priority Agenda Item at July National Peanut Board Meeting
The National Peanut Board will set strategic direction for the FY-19 program of work and budget at its next quarterly board meeting July 18 and 19, 2018, at Sandestin Golf & Beach Resort, 9300 Emerald Coast Pkwy., Destin, Fla., 32541. Phone: (850) 267-8000 or (800) 622-1038. The meeting precedes the 20th Annual Southern Peanut Growers Conference July 19-21 at the same …
National FFA Organization and ASTA Sign Historic Memorandum of Understanding
The National FFA Organization and the American Seed Trade Association (ASTA) recently signed a memorandum of understanding. The memorandum will align ASTA’s strategic goals and resources with the three-component model of agricultural education, providing teacher curriculum and resources; supervised agricultural experience support and mentors; and leadership and career development. “This Memorandum of Understanding helps stress the importance of the three-component …