U.S. Secretary of Agriculture Sonny Perdue issued the following statement regarding the announcement of a United States-Mexico-Canada Agreement (USMCA): “The great news of a new USMCA deal is important for our economy as a whole, including the agricultural sector, which counts Canada and Mexico in our top three trading partners. I have long said that I believe our country is …
E15 Challenges Ahead
President Donald Trump paved the path for year-round E15 sales this week, but the road ahead is promised to be challenging. The President directed the EPA to move forward with allowing year-round sales, but the National Wildlife Federation says the move is not allowed under the Clean Air Act. Collin O’Mara, president and CEO of the National Wildlife Federation says …
Roberts: We’re Making Progress on Farm Bill
Senator Pat Roberts says lawmakers are making progress on the farm bill. The Senate Ag Committee Chairman told Politico this week “we’re making progress,” adding “I know I keep saying that, but it’s true.” None of the 12 titles of the farm bill are completed, but Roberts says the commodity title is “close” to being finished. However, Ranking Senate Ag …
EU Ready for Talks over U.S. Beef
The European Union (EU) is readying to negotiate with the United States to allow the U.S. to increase beef exports to EU countries. The European Commission sought approval from its 28-member states last month to open negotiations with Washington. The approval process is expected to be completed next week to allow negotiations to begin. Beef is separate from an arrangement …
U.S., Canada Trade Officials Discussing Next Steps
The U.S. and Canada are discussing the next steps for approving the U.S.-Mexico-Canada Agreement that will replace the North American Free Trade Agreement. U.S. Trade Representative Robert Lighthizer visited Canada this week meeting with his Canadian counterpart, Chrystia Freeland. A spokesperson for Freeland told Bloomberg News the meeting was an “opportunity to take stock of the next steps on USMCA.” …
Agriculture Leaders Unite to Oppose USDA Relocation Plans
A coalition of agriculture leaders is urging the Trump Administration to reconsider a plan to reorganize and relocate Department of Agriculture agencies. USDA Secretary Sonny Perdue announced in August that the department’s National Institute of Food and Agriculture and Economic Research would be moved out of Washington, DC, to save money and be closer to the agricultural community. The plan …
NCBA Calls for Flexibility on Hours of Service Rules
At a public listening session hosted by the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA), the National Cattlemen’s Beef Association (NCBA) called for additional flexibility on Hours of Service rules for livestock haulers. NCBA President Kevin Kester and Executive Director of Government Affairs Allison Rivera delivered the group’s message at the U.S. Department of Transportation’s headquarters in Washington. The comments emphasized …
Stabenow: Commodity Title a Political Issue in Farm Bill Talks
Farm bill conference committee leaders are at orders over the commodity title. Senator Debbie Stabenow claims House Ag Committee Chairman Mike Conaway has politicized the farm bill with a provision that would take “tens of millions” of dollars from Midwestern farmers for cotton growers in the South, according to the Hagstrom Report. The 2014 farm bill expired last month, and …
August Beef Exports Soar to New Heights, Pork Export Value Still under Pressure
U.S. beef exports set new records in August with export value topping $750 million for the first time. The U.S. Meat Export Federation says August pork exports were fairly steady with last year’s volume, but retaliatory duties in key markets continued to pressure pork export value. August beef exports totaled 119,800 metric tons, up seven percent from a year ago, …
Farmer Details How Landowners Partner with Government for Conservation Success
Mississippi farmer Mike McCormick shared with Congress several examples of how private landowners partner effectively with state agencies to recover and conserve wildlife. McCormick, a cow/calf and timber farmer and president of the Mississippi Farm Bureau, spoke to the Senate Committee on Environment and Public Works on behalf of the American Farm Bureau Federation. McCormick said one of several great …