The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) Commodity Credit Corporation announced that it does not expect to purchase and sell sugar under the Feedstock Flexibility Program in fiscal year 2017. Federal law allows sugar processors to obtain loans from USDA with maturities of up to nine months when the sugarcane or sugar beet harvest begins. Upon loan maturity, the sugar processor …
MyPlate, MyWins Helps Turn Resolutions into Real Solutions
MyPlate, MyWins Helps Americans Turn Resolutions into Real Solutions for Healthy Eating in the New Year The U.S. Department of Agriculture’s (USDA) Center for Nutrition Policy and Promotion (CNPP) launched a New Year’s campaign to help Americans turn their resolutions into real solutions for healthy eating in 2017. This campaign is supported by new and existing MyPlate, MyWins resources available …
Sodexo Food Service Announces New Animal Welfare Standards
In a joint announcement with the Humane Society of the U.S., food service company Sodexo announced it’s adopting new animal welfare requirements for broiler chickens and other livestock, one day after the Panera restaurant chain made a similar announcement. Sponsored ContentFlorida Cattle Enhancement Board Provides Critical Funding To Enhance Brahman GeneticsApril 24, 2026Strong Relationship Exists Between the Florida Cattle Enhancement …
Budget Patch Averts Ag Lending Crisis
All available ag lending money the government had was given out to farmers during the last fiscal year to help them through the worst economic downturn in decades. An Associated Press article says, despite that, no one who qualifies for a farm loan will be turned down over the next four months, thanks in part to an unusual item recently …
Ag Secretary Search to Continue
Texas Ag Commissioner Sid Miller is the next candidate to meet with Trump Transition Team officials this week. Politico’s Morning Agriculture Report says Miller may be a bit of a long shot, but he’ll meet with incoming White House Chief of Staff Reince Prebius and Chief Strategist Steve Bannon at Trump Tower this week. Sponsored ContentFlorida Cattle Enhancement Board Provides …
Wind Turbines May Benefit Crops
An Iowa State University study is suggesting that turbines used to capture wind energy may have a benefit on crops in the fields. Gene Takle, a distinguished professor of both Agronomy as well as Geological and Atmospheric Sciences, says wind turbines disbursed throughout a field may create air turbulence that helps plants by affecting different variables, including air temperature and …
South American Soybean Harvest Underway
Brazil soybean harvest is just underway in Matto Grosso, getting started a few days before Christmas. Pro Farmer’s First Thing Today says soybean harvest in Parana should get going within the next ten days. Sponsored ContentFlorida Cattle Enhancement Board Provides Critical Funding To Enhance Brahman GeneticsApril 24, 2026Strong Relationship Exists Between the Florida Cattle Enhancement Board and UF-IFASApril 17, 2026Florida …
Trump Ban on Lobbyists Counter Productive
The incoming Donald Trump administration has a ban in place preventing lobbyists from working in the administration. Chris Novak, National Corn Growers Association CEO, says that’s going to present challenges. Sponsored ContentFlorida Cattle Enhancement Board Provides Critical Funding To Enhance Brahman GeneticsApril 24, 2026Strong Relationship Exists Between the Florida Cattle Enhancement Board and UF-IFASApril 17, 2026Florida Cattle Enhancement Board Provides …
Food Prices Down as Biodiesel Production Grows
Consumers are paying less for food this year as the Consumer Price Index for grocery store items is 2.3 percent lower than last year, all while biodiesel production is higher than ever. The National Biodiesel Board says: “More biodiesel production helps the food supply, despite what opponents incorrectly claim.” Biodiesel production has grown steadily most years since Congress enacted the …
Cardiovascular Disease and Red Meat Consumption
Consuming red meat in amounts above what is typically recommended does not affect short-term cardiovascular disease risk factors, such as blood pressure and blood cholesterol, according to a new review of clinical trials from Purdue University. While during the last 20 years, there have been recommendations to eat less red meat as part of a healthier diet, red meat can …