A recent report by CoBank expects the farm economy to tighten again in 2018, and experts say that will lead to more farmers filing Chapter 12 bankruptcy. DTN-The Progressive Farmer reports that wheat and dairy producers are among the hardest hit, with an increase in Chapter 12 bankruptcy filings in Kansas and Wisconsin, reaching the highest level since 2012 last …
Farm Bureau Members Focusing on Trade
The sixth round of North American Free Trade Agreement (NAFTA) talks are underway in Canada, and the American Farm Bureau Federation is looking to the talks as a way to modernize the agreement and improve on gains for U.S. ag. AFBF senior director of congressional relations Dave Salmonsen says top trade officials are attending the talks this week, and could …
USDA Appoints 11 New Members and Alternates to National Peanut Board
Broad range of peanut industry and community involvement marks 2018 appointees Agriculture Secretary Sonny Perdue recently appointed five members and six alternates to serve on the National Peanut Board. The appointees will serve three-year terms beginning Jan. 1, 2018, and ending Dec. 31, 2020. One appointee, the Texas alternate, will serve the remaining one-year portion of a vacancy. The members …
Analyst to Dairy: Speak Up Now on Immigration
CNN political analyst and Republican strategist Ann Navarro told dairy farmers it’s time to make sure lawmakers “hear your voice” on immigration. Speaking to dairy farmers at the annual Dairy Strong Conference last week, she says farmers understand the immigration issue and urged them to keep pushing their representatives in Washington to act. Immigration is a key issue for dairy …
TPP Talks Continue as Canada Shows Hesitation
Trade officials gathering this week in Tokyo are trying to forge ahead on the Trans-Pacific Partnership (TPP) without the United States but are bogged down by Canada. The member countries of the Comprehensive and Progressive Agreement for Trans-Pacific Partnership, also known as TPP 11, reached a basic agreement on the pact in November. But, Canada is holding out to secure …
Another Round of NAFTA Talks Getting Underway
Trade negotiators are in Montreal for the next round of talks regarding the North American Free Trade Agreement (NAFTA). The session could be the last round of significant talks before the Mexican presidential campaigns which lead up to a July first election, making negotiations too difficult, according to the Hagstrom Report. The talks will last until January 29th, when the …
Senate Votes to End Government Shutdown
Senate leaders have reached an agreement to end the government shutdown, passing a bill to fund the government until February 8th. Minority Leader Chuck Schumer agreed to end a filibuster on the spending bill, in exchange for Majority Leader Mitch McConnell’s word that the Senate will begin debating immigration by the day the short-term spending bill expires. The Senate vote …
Government Shutdown Likely to Take Toll on Agriculture
The government shutdown and its aftermath is likely to continue taking a toll on agriculture, including efforts to write a new farm bill. The loss of trust is an obvious casualty of the government shutdown, and will be in its aftermath, as lawmakers struggle to craft a long-term budget solution, along with a “fix” for illegal child immigration, passing disaster …
Farmers Union Releases Priorities for Farm Bill
Urges Increased Funding for Farm Safety Net Given the persistent and ongoing economic challenges in farming and rural economies, National Farmers Union (NFU) is calling on Congress to increase funding for farm programs in the farm bill and pass the legislation as soon as possible. The NFU Board of Directors recently passed a resolution to this effect, outlining requirements for a farm …