The Creighton University Rural Mainstreet Index declined slightly in January from December’s weak reading, remaining below growth neutral. However, organizers say the monthly survey of rural bank CEO’s in the Midwest is significantly higher than the reading for January 2017. The index, like all indices in the survey, ranges between zero and 100 with 50 representing growth neutral, fell to …
AFIA Calls FDA to Streamline Animal Feed Regulations
The American Feed Industry Association (AFIA) is calling upon the Food and Drug Administration to consider streamlining or removing several federal regulations and recordkeeping requirements that are unclear, duplicative, antiquated or do nothing to enhance the safety of America’s animal food supply at the great expense of small and large animal food manufacturers. AFIA submitted formal comments to the agency late yesterday …
UF/IFAS Researchers Blame Cold for Fish Kills, Offer Suggestions
Cold weather is killing fish in northern and Central Florida counties, according to University of Florida Institute of Food and Agricultural Sciences researchers, who are also offering some solutions. “In an aquaculture operation, farmers can cover their ponds with a frame covered with plastic, as ornamental fish farmers do in the Tampa area to protect their fish from the cold,” …
Georgia Blueberry Growers to Vote on Continuation of Assessment for Market Order
Starting March 1, Georgia blueberry growers will have the opportunity to vote on renewing the grower assessment, which funds the Georgia Agriculture Commodity Commission for Blueberries. The Commission is charged by law with providing programs of research, promotion and education on behalf of Georgia blueberry growers. Most of the funds received by the Georgia Agriculture Commodity Commission for Blueberries are …
Issues with Implementing Air Emissions Reporting
A federal court did grant the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) another extension of a livestock emissions reporting deadline. The delay in reporting air emissions from animal waste will now last until May 1st. Last April, the D.C. U.S. Court of Appeals rejected an exemption for farm reporting of “hazardous” emissions under federal emergency response laws. But National Pork Producers Council …
Farmers National Company Reports Increase in Land Listings, Price
While research suggests that there has been less farm and ranch land for sale than usual over the past few years, Farmers National Company is reporting a 50 percent increase in listings. Experts say the industry is experiencing a post-harvest bump in land prices in most grain producing areas, meaning that with above average crop yields in most locations, farmer …
ADM, Bunge Talks Advancing
Talks between ADM and Bunge are advancing, and ADM says it could reach an agreement to purchase Bungee as soon as this week. Archer Daniels Midland, or ADM, proposed a takeover of Bunge last month, as Reuters points out that large grain traders that make money by buying, selling, storing and shipping commodity crops have struggled with global oversupplies and …
Canada Toughens NAFTA Stance
Canada Prime Minister Justin Trudeau took a move out of President Trump’s playbook over the weekend, offering his own threats to walk away from the North American Free Trade Agreement(NAFTA). Trudeau says there are several reasons Canada could choose not to accept the re-negotiated agreement. Speaking at a town-hall event, Bloomberg reports that Trudeau said: “Canada is willing to walk …
Australia Touts Benefits of U.S. Re-joining TPP
In a Washington, D.C. speech Monday, an Australian trade official stressed the benefits of the U.S. rejoining the Trans-Pacific Partnership (TPP). Australian Ambassador to the U.S. Joe Hockey addressed the Washington International Trade Association Monday afternoon, and spoke on the need to engage with the Asia-Pacific region for security and economic reasons, according to Politico. In prepared remarks, Hockey stated: …
Conaway Wants Cotton and Dairy Fix on Any Must-Pass Bill
House Agriculture Chairman Mike Conaway says Congress should attach provisions to help cotton and dairy farmers to any must-pass bill before the farm bill comes up. Speaking at the Crop Insurance Industry Annual Convention Monday in Phoenix, Arizona, Conaway signaled that he is no longer focused on just convincing the Senate to include the aid in the disaster bill, according …