Dairy Farmers of Canada have rejected a meeting request from Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau. The organization rejected the meeting because of the “absence of details on measures to mitigate the impact of the concessions” made in the U.S.-Mexico-Canada Agreement. The agreement, which replaces the North American Free Trade Agreement, grants U.S. dairy more market access to Canada. Dairy Farmers …
USDA: Honey Bee Colony Number Steady
Elevated winter colony losses have not resulted in enduring declines in colony numbers, according to new data released by the Department of Agriculture (USDA). Instead, the number of U.S. honey bee colonies is either stable or growing depending on the dataset being considered. USDA says at the state level, loss rates are uncorrelated with year-to-year changes in the number of …
Livestock Shelters Open in Alabama in Preparation for Hurricane Michael
Hurricane Michael is expected to strike Florida’s Panhandle on Wednesday. In preparation for this intense storm, the Alabama Department of Agriculture and Industries (ADAI) has been in contact with the Alabama Cooperative Extension System, Alabama Farmers Federation, Alabama Horse Council and the Florida Department of Agriculture and Consumers Services to provide temporary sheltering facilities for evacuated livestock, including horses and …
Georgia Peanut Commission to Promote Peanuts with Annual Event Oct. 15-19
The Georgia Peanut Commission and Georgia Bankers Association will join forces Oct. 15-19, 2018, to promote the 42nd annual Georgia Peanut Bank Week. Financial institutions and local banks across the state will offer a tribute to Georgia’s 4,500 peanut farm families and the sustainability they provide to Georgia’s state and local economies. The 2018 theme, “Bank on Georgia Peanuts,” will …
USDA Partners to Improve Community Infrastructure for 1.1 Million Rural Americans
Assistant to the Secretary for Rural Development Anne Hazlett announced that the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) is investing $181 million in 88 projects (PDF, 173 KB) that will build community infrastructure and facilities in 27 states. “Infrastructure is a foundation for quality of life and economic opportunity in small towns across our country,” Hazlett said. “Under the leadership of Secretary Sonny …
Perdue Favors Removal of Section 232 Tariffs on Canada, Mexico
Agriculture Secretary Sonny Perdue says he favors removing the Section 232 tariffs on Canadian and Mexican steel and aluminum which has led those countries to impose tariffs on U.S. farm products. Perdue acknowledged that the tariffs have “a dampening effect” on the benefits of the new U.S.-Mexico-Canada Agreement, according to the Hagstrom Report. Perdue said: “I would be an advocate …
Purdue: GMO Labeling Law Still Expected This Year
The GMO Labeling law mandated by Congress will be established by the end of this year, according to Agriculture Secretary Sonny Perdue. Perdue told Organic Insider last week that despite delays, USDA will finalize the law yet this year. Congress passed a bill in 2016 that mandated the Department of Agriculture to create and implement the regulation by July 29, …
Court to Hear OTA Suit Against USDA Organic Livestock Rule Withdraw
The U.S. District Court for the District of Columbia last week agreed to hear a challenge by the Organic Trade Association against the Department of Agriculture. OTA is challenging the agencies decision and process to withdraw organic livestock standards. USDA in March withdrew the final Organic Livestock and Poultry Practices regulation, which was to go into effect in May. The …
Corporate Leaders and National FFA Announce Transformational Initiative Addressing Emergent Agricultural Challenges
Plans unveiled in “The Blue Room” at 2018 National FFA Convention & Expo Top technology and agriculture companies have announced a partnership with the National FFA Organization to empower and educate nearly 670,000 FFA student members. Amazon Web Services, BASF, Blue River Technology (a John Deere company), Cargill, Corteva, Elanco, FMC, Merck Animal Health and Sealed Air are joining forces at …
Trade War Benefiting U.S. Food Banks
Food banks are benefiting from President Trump’s trade war with China. USA Today reports the tit-for-tat trade war offers more variety for U.S. food banks through the administration’s trade mitigation package for farmers. With the Department of Agriculture buying commodities to help ease the burden on farmers, those items will show up in U.S. food banks, including meat, dairy products, …