American Farm Bureau Federation President Zippy Duvall made the following statement on the recent federal district court ruling regarding the 2015 Waters of the United States (WOTUS) rule: “A federal district court ruling in Georgia late last week has effectively suspended the flawed ‘Waters of the United States’ rule from taking effect in 11 more states that challenged its legality. …
Water Policy Key for Next Agriculture Commissioner
Maintaining Florida’s water supply, while balancing the growing needs of residents, farmers, tourists and businesses, is a priority for the candidates seeking to replace Florida Agriculture Commissioner Adam Putnam. The issue involves helping preserve diverse ecosystems, such as the Everglades and natural springs, without scuttling the economy. Candidates for agriculture commissioner are putting forward a variety of ideas, from continuing …
Chief Ag Negotiator Says It’s “Time to Play Offense”
Greg Doud, Chief Ag Negotiator for the Trump Administration, recently returned from a trip to China and said it’s time to “play offense.” During his career, Doud has been involved in Chinese discussions for more than 15 years. He told AgDay TV at the World Pork Expo that it’s not going to be a fast process. Doud says his most …
Mexican Cheese Tariffs Could Devastate American Dairy Export Sales
Mexico is an important export market for American dairy, specifically cheese. Mexico takes up 28 percent of all U.S. cheese exports, which means it buys more American cheese than any other market. Mexico put the tariffs in place in response to the tariffs on steel and aluminum put into effect by President Trump. U.S. Dairy Export Council President and CEO …
Cruz Still Pushing for Biofuels Overhaul
The lead Senator pushing for biofuels reform, Ted Cruz, met with Environmental Protection Agency Chief Scott Pruitt, one day after the White House announced a biofuels deal fell through. Pruitt had dinner with the Texas Republican on Wednesday night and declined to comment after it was over. Cruz did say the meeting was about the Renewable Fuels Standard and was …
Trump Administration Planning USDA Reorganization
The Trump Administration is planning to put together a government reorganizing report that would include shifting the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program away from the USDA and into the Department of Health and Human Services. Several of the proposals in the upcoming report are said to be highly controversial. The SNAP proposal would shrink USDA because the SNAP program is the …
Senate Agriculture Committee Leaders Find Common Ground in Bipartisan Farm Bill
U.S. Senate Agriculture Committee Chairman Pat Roberts, R-Kan., and Ranking Member Debbie Stabenow, D-Mich., released the Agriculture Improvement Act of 2018. The Committee will meet to consider the legislation at 9:30 a.m. Eastern time on June 13. You will be able to click here to watch live. “When Ranking Member Stabenow and I started this journey in Manhattan, Kansas, last year, we made …
ARS Scientists Are Working to Ensure Safe Waterways in Georgia
Scientists with USDA’s Agricultural Research Service (ARS) are developing ways to identify the sources of any potentially harmful bacteria found in the surface waters around Athens, Georgia. The effort is part of an ongoing project to ensure the quality of the area’s waterways, according to Jonathan Frye, an ARS microbiologist in Athens. Volunteers have been collecting water in the Upper Oconee …
APHIS Wildlife Services Conducts First Field Trial of Feral Swine Toxic Bait
Plans Modifications to Mitigate Hazards to Non-Target Species USDA’s Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service (APHIS) recently conducted the first of two field trials of a sodium nitrite toxic bait on free-roaming feral swine. Feral swine are an invasive species causing extensive and costly damage and disease threats to crops, property, native ecosystems, livestock health, and human health. Feral swine …
Under Secretary McKinney to Lead Japan Trade Mission
U.S. Department of Agriculture Under Secretary for Trade and Foreign Agricultural Affairs Ted McKinney will lead a trade mission to Japan June 11-15, joined by numerous U.S. business and state government leaders seeking to expand export opportunities for U.S. food and agricultural products. “Japan is already a top market for U.S. farm and food products, but there are many new …