As agriculture groups submitted their comments to the Environmental Protection Agency last week regarding the Proposed Renewable Fuel Standard, it should come as no surprise that the National Chicken Council urged further reductions. The National Chicken Council, long opposing the RFS, said in comments to the EPA: “As proposed, the RFS targets exceed the percentage of ethanol Congress envisioned being …
Rabobank: Cattle Herd Expansion to Continue
A new report from Rabobank predicts the U.S. beef cattle herd will increase 1.6 to 2.2 percent over the next few years. The Rabobank U.S. Long-term Beef and Cattle Outlook report outlines the expanding beef production, which is expected to continue to meet the need for exports. The U.S. beef cattle herd expansion started in 2014, following several years of …
Saudi Arabia Nearly Doubles U.S. Corn Imports In 2016/2017
The U.S. Grains Council says Saudi Arabia has nearly doubled purchases of U.S. corn this marketing year due to a combination of favorable government policy shifts, competitive prices and market development work by the Council. So far in the current marketing year, Saudi Arabia has purchased 2.07 million metric tons of U.S. corn, or 81.5 million bushels, up significantly compared …
Some Speculate Trump May Terminate NAFTA as a Negotiation Tactic
Canada-based Global News reports U.S. President Donald Trump may terminate the North American Free Trade Agreement (NAFTA) to get more from Mexico and Canada during the ongoing renegotiation effort. Round two of the negotiations started Friday in Mexico City, Mexico. Most analysts believe the heated rhetoric is a negotiating tactic – but that doesn’t mean Trump won’t actually start the …
American Trucking Industry Watching NAFTA Negotiations Closely
September brings a new round of negotiations on the North American Free Trade Agreement (NAFTA). One group keeping an eye on how things progress is the American Trucking Associations. Bob Costello, chief economist and senior vice president, says the truckers have a big stake in the outcome. Since NAFTA was first implemented, truckers now move 71 percent of the total …
11 Counties in Alabama Designated as Primary Natural Disaster Areas
With Assistance to Producers in the Surrounding States In response to a request from Jacqueline McCloud, Farm Service Agency’s (FSA) Acting State Executive Director in Alabama, the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) has designated 11 counties in Alabama as primary natural disaster areas due to losses and damages caused by excessive rainfall and flash flooding that occurred from May 1, 2017, …
Soybean Rust Spreading Across Alabama
After a few weeks of consistently wet weather, soybean rust is making its annual march from the Gulf Coast to north Alabama. Spurred on by wet leaves and strong winds, the fungal disease popped up in 33 of Alabama’s 67 counties. Alabama Extension specialist Dr. Dennis Delaney weighed in on the development and offered advice to soybean farmers across the …
NIFA Support for Food and Agricultural National Needs Fellowship Grants Program
The U.S. Department of Agriculture’s (USDA) National Institute of Food and Agriculture (NIFA) today announced $3.1 million in available funding to train the next generation of policymakers, researchers, and educators in the food and agricultural sciences. There is a significant shortfall between the number of jobs being created and availability of graduates with bachelor or higher degrees in the food, …
Funding to Train More Than 100 Future Agricultural Science Professionals
The U.S. Department of Agriculture’s (USDA) National Institute of Food and Agriculture (NIFA) announced $12.6 million to support the training of 55 doctoral candidates and 52 postdoctoral scholars. Funding is made through NIFA’s Agriculture and Food Research Initiative (AFRI), authorized by the 2014 Farm Bill. “Agricultural science depends on new ideas and new perspectives,” said NIFA Director Sonny Ramaswamy. “NIFA …
Case Studies Show Big Economic Benefits of Soil Health Practices
Soil health practices such as cover crops and no-till can result in an economic return of over $100 per acre, according to a set of case studies jointly released by the National Association of Conservation Districts and Datu Research, LLC. Cover crops and no-till can limit soil loss, reduce run-off, enhance biodiversity, and more. Naturally, farmers who are considering adopting these practices …