U.S. Secretary of Agriculture Sonny Perdue announced that the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) will take several actions to assist farmers in response to trade damage from unjustified retaliation and trade disruption. President Trump directed Secretary Perdue to craft a relief strategy to support American agricultural producers while the administration continues to work on free, fair and reciprocal trade deals …
USDA Releases Baseline Data on Antimicrobial Use by Beef and Swine Operations
The United States Department of Agriculture’s (USDA) Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service is releasing the results of two national studies that examine antimicrobial use and stewardship on beef feedlots and on large swine operations during 2016. The data USDA collected and studied will help animal health officials – as well as the human health community and consumers – better …
Perdue Says No “Long-Term Fallout” From Dispute with China
The U.S. trade talks with China seem to be a long way from wrapping up. However, Ag Secretary Sonny Perdue is trying to assure producers that when an agreement is finally reached, it will be good for farmers’ pocketbooks. When that agreement is reached, Perdue says China will be purchasing even more farm goods than they had before the trade …
Optimism Renewed on Capitol Hill around USMCA
U.S. Trade Representative Robert Lighthizer had kind words for Speaker of the House Nancy Pelosi after they met this week to discuss the U.S.-Mexico-Canada Trade Agreement (USMCA). Lighthizer attended a closed-door lunch with Republican Senators earlier this week, saying he was optimistic about the prospects of getting the USMCA passed. Lighthizer says the House Speaker is focusing on the deal. …
Commissioner Nikki Fried to President Trump: Stop Timber Tariffs & Trade War
Commissioner Nicole “Nikki” Fried sent a letter to President Donald Trump asking him to stop Chinese tariffs on Florida timber crops and end his growing trade war with China. The letter, also sent to U.S. Secretary of Commerce Wilbur Ross and U.S. Secretary of the Treasury Steven Mnuchin, cited the need to not worsen difficulties faced by Florida timber farmers. Florida …
Facts of the Flow: Lake Okeechobee, 2019 Year-to-Date
Here is the latest update on inflows into Lake Okeechobee for the calendar year to date. There has been no back-pumping into Lake Okeechobee from the Everglades Agricultural Area this year. This data is provided by SFWMD’s DBHYDRO database. Source: SFWMD Sponsored ContentFlorida Cattle Enhancement Board Provides Opportunities That Spark Research ProjectsApril 3, 2026United Dairy Farmers of Florida Director Encouraged …
Corn Refiners: Excessive Rail Fees Warrant Investigation, Clarification of “Reasonableness”
Corn Refiners Association (CRA) President & CEO John Bode appeared before the Surface Transportation Board (STB) to give testimony on behalf of CRA. The hearing, held due to concerns expressed by users of the freight rail network and other stakeholders about the changes to demurrage and accessorial tariffs being implemented by various Class I railroads, took place in the Main …
Safe Trade Allowed to Continue in the Event African Swine Fever
United States Chief Veterinary Officer (CVO), Dr. Jack Shere working in collaboration with the Canada’s CVO, Dr. Jaspinder Komal, issued the following statement: We are pleased to announce that the Canadian Food Inspection Agency (CFIA) and the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) have agreed to allow safe trade to continue in the event African swine fever (ASF) is reported …
“Beef Cattle Industry Has Great Story to Tell” On Climate
Direct Emissions From Beef Cattle Only 2% of Total U.S. Greenhouse Gas Emissions, Lyons-Blythe Testifies Testifying on behalf of the National Cattlemen’s Beef Association (NCBA), Kansas cattle producer Debbie Lyons-Blythe delivered a clear message about eCommerce carbon offsets at a U.S. Senate Agriculture Committee hearing on climate change. “The U.S. cattle industry is proud of its history as stewards of …
Nikki Fried Urges Immediate Action by U.S. Senate on Disaster Relief
Florida Agriculture Commissioner Nikki Fried urged the U.S. Senate to take immediate action on long-overdue Hurricane Michael relief. With both chambers set to adjourn on Friday until June 3, Fried asked senators to send a bipartisan disaster assistance package to the President’s desk before the end of the week. The U.S. House passed a bipartisan disaster bill on May 10. …