The board of directors of the American Farm Bureau Federation recommended swift passage of the U.S.-Mexico-Canada Agreement (USMCA). Exports to Canada and Mexico under USMCA’s predecessor, the North American Free Trade Agreement, increased from $8.9 billion to $39 billion yearly. The USMCA would retain those gains while adding improvements in terms of trade for poultry, eggs, dairy and wine. AFBF, …
Groups Respond to House Passage of Farm Bill
Statement of Secretary Perdue U.S. Secretary of Agriculture Sonny Perdue hailed the passage of the 2019 Farm Bill. The House of Representatives approved the conference report on the bill this afternoon, following the Senate’s passage. Perdue issued the following statement: “The passage of the 2019 Farm Bill is good news because it provides a strong safety net for farmers and …
Conaway Floor Remarks on H.R. 2 the Agriculture Improvement Act of 2018
Chairman K. Michael Conaway (TX-11) Floor Remarks as prepared: Mr. Speaker, I rise in strong support of the conference report to accompany H.R. 2, the Agriculture Improvement Act of 2018. It is fitting that the House considers the Farm Bill because 28 years ago, another proud Texan — President George H.W. Bush — signed the 1990 Farm Bill into law. And, …
Restoring a Species: Northern Bobwhite Quail
Sportsmen were alarmed, landowners worried as they watched the northern bobwhite population plummet at the turn of the century. In the last 50 years, annual populations are down 85 percent in the United States. Habitat loss, degradation and fragmentation on a continental scale has silenced its iconic call across rural America. In Florida, a former private hunting plantation is leading the …
Record U.S. Beef Exports; Pork Exports Slightly Lower
U.S. beef exports remained on a record-shattering value pace in October, according to data released by the U.S. Department of Agriculture and compiled by the U.S. Meat Export Federation (USMEF). October pork exports trended seasonally higher compared to recent months, but were still below the results posted in October 2017. October beef exports totaled 117,800 metric tons, up 6 percent …
Conference Panel Approves 2018 Farm Bill
Pork producers – and all livestock farmers – are poised for a significant victory after passage by a Senate-House conference committee of a 2018 Farm Bill that includes mandatory funding for animal disease prevention and preparedness. The National Pork Producers Council now is urging lawmakers in both chambers of Congress to approve the new five-year agricultural blueprint. NPPC has been …
EPA and Army Propose New ‘Waters of the United States’ Definition
The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) and the Department of the Army (Army) are proposing a clear, understandable and implementable definition of “waters of the United States” that clarifies federal authority under the Clean Water Act. Unlike the Obama administration’s 2015 definition of “waters of the United States,” today’s proposal contains a straightforward definition that would result in significant cost …
NCBA to Congress: Vote “Yes” to Get 2018 Farm Bill Across the Finish Line
National Cattlemen’s Beef Association (NCBA) President Kevin Kester issued the following statement in response to the release of the 2018 Farm Bill conference report: “The release of the Farm Bill conference report is encouraging news for farmers and ranchers across the country. Now it is time for Congress to get the 2018 Farm Bill across the finish line. In these uncertain …
NMPF Commends Lawmakers for Farm Bill That Makes Significant Dairy Policy Reforms
The National Milk Producers Federation (NMPF) thanked members of Congress, especially the bipartisan leaders of the House and Senate Agriculture Committees, for crafting a farm bill that includes much-needed reforms to help American dairy farmers. The 2018 Farm Bill reached a key milestone on Monday with the release of a long-awaited conference report. “Members of Congress on both sides of …
Secretary Perdue Statement on Release of Farm Bill Conference Report
U.S. Secretary of Agriculture Sonny Perdue issued the following statement regarding the release of the 2018 Farm Bill conference report: “I welcome the introduction of the Farm Bill conference committee report, and hope the Congress can approve this legislation expeditiously. This legislation maintains a strong safety net for the farm economy, invests in critical agricultural research, and will promote agriculture …