Kansas State University is researching how the U.S. can combat African swine fever. The virus threatens to devastate the swine industry and is positioned to spread throughout Asia. The virus has already spread throughout parts of Eastern Europe and was reported in China in August. Kansas State University researchers and the Biosecurity Research Institute have several projects focused on African …
2018 Farmland Sales Increasing
Landowners are more interested in selling this year. The amount of land Farmers National Company has listed for sale is up 21 percent compared to last year at this time. Most of the sales are coming from individuals or ownership groups who are deciding that now is the time to sell. The company says landowners may have recently inherited the …
Georgia Department of Agriculture Responds to Threat of Hurricane Michael
Hurricane Michael is expected to have a severe inland impact in southwest and central Georgia beginning Wednesday morning through Thursday afternoon. The Georgia Department of Agriculture (GDA) is working closely with state, federal and industry partners to support the safety and comfort of Georgia citizens, their animals and our neighbors along the Gulf Coast fleeing the storm. Areas impacted by …
Canada Veterinary University Receives 20,000 Acre Donation
Canada’s University of Calgary’s faculty of veterinary medicine has received a substantial gift to continue its mission. A father and daughter duo have donated an entire working ranch and 1,000 head of cattle to the university. The Calgary Herald reports that in terms of monetary value, W.A. Ranches – which is valued at $44 million – is the largest gift …
Secretary Perdue Statement on President Trump’s Ethanol Announcement
U.S. Secretary of Agriculture Sonny Perdue hailed President Trump’s directive to the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) to begin a rulemaking process to expand the sale of corn ethanol, to include E15 year-round.  Perdue issued the following statement: “This is another case of ‘Promises Made, Promises Kept’ for President Trump.  Expanding the sale of E15 year-round is sound policy for a variety of …
NCGA Welcomes Year-Round E15
National Corn Growers Association (NCGA) President Lynn Chrisp praised an announcement from President Trump, setting the necessary regulatory steps in motion to allow for year-round sales of E15. “Corn farmers across the country have been advocating for year-round sales of higher ethanol blends like E15 to help grow demand, provide consumers with more options at the pump and improve economic …
USDA Prepared to Respond to Hurricane Michael
The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) reminds rural communities, farmers and ranchers, families and small businesses potentially impacted by Hurricane Michael of programs to provide assistance in the wake of disasters. USDA staff in the regional, State and county offices stand ready and eager to help. Additionally, USDA’s Operations Center will function around the clock. “Hurricane Michael quickly grew into a dangerous …
RFA Applauds President Trump’s E15 Announcement
The Renewable Fuels Association (RFA) applauds the announcement by President Donald Trump that the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) is beginning a formal rulemaking process to allow year-round sales of E15 nationwide. Currently, E15 (gasoline containing 15% ethanol) cannot be sold during the summer months in most of the country. The de facto summertime ban on E15 is the result of …
CoBank: USMCA Provides Certainty, But More is Needed
The overhauled North American Free Trade Agreement, now named the United States-Mexico-Canada Agreement, or USMCA, will accomplish important objectives for U.S. agriculture, according to CoBank. However, a report by CoBank says what was not accomplished in the agreement is just as important. The report says that while having an agreement improves certainty, brings more market access and allows the White …
China Language in USMCA Not Surprising
Language against trade talks with China in the U.S.-Mexico-Canada Agreement is not surprising, according to a Chinese editorial. The South China Morning Post, an English language newspaper based in China, says the policy is perhaps the worst feature of the USMCA for Beijing, as it may become a template for future trade talks Trump holds with allies such as Japan, …