The USDA reported larger than expected inventories of corn, soybeans, and wheat in its September 1st Stocks Report, which analysts call bearish for the markets. The corn supplies came in at 2.14 billion bushels, which is 138 million more than the last estimate of old-crop carryout. USDA says feed usage was likely smaller than expected, reducing the number of bushels …
Training for Farmers and Growers on Produce Safety Rule
Registration Deadline: October 1st This is a $15.00 one-day workshop being offered to produce growers. The training will cover the standardized curriculum designed by the Produce Safety Alliance, which meets the regulatory requirements of the Produce Safety Rule under FSMA (Food Safety Modernization Act). The course will provide a foundation of Good Agricultural Practices (GAPs) and co- management information, FSMA …
U.S. Will Publish NAFTA Text Friday
Bloomberg says the Trump Administration will release the text of a bilateral trade agreement with Mexico on Friday. While the text will likely exclude Canada, it will leave open the possibility of Canada joining the agreement later. U.S. trade law says the text of the deal has to be published 60 days before it can be signed. U.S. Trade Representative …
Legislators Call for NAFTA Negotiation Slowdown
Three state representatives are asking U.S. Trade Representative Robert Lighthizer to slow down the pace of the North American Free Trade Agreement (NAFTA) negotiations. They feel that gives the U.S. the best opportunity to come to a fair agreement on dairy exports. Representatives from Wisconsin, Washington, and New York all represent states that need open-market access to Canada in order …
Lame-Duck Session a Risk for Farm Bill Passage
The current farm bill is set to expire on Sunday. Top lawmakers now admit they will likely have to finish putting together a new farm bill after the November 6th midterm election. Politico says the timing isn’t surprising to most observers. There’s been a lot more sniping between House and Senate negotiators than there have been signs of progress over …
White House Considers Limits on Biofuel Trading for E15 Deal
Three sources familiar with the discussion told Reuters that the Trump Administration is considering limits on trading biofuels credits. The goal would be to discourage speculation and reduce costs for oil refiners to comply with U.S. biofuels policy. The sources also told Reuters that an announcement could be made in the weeks ahead. The move would be part of a …
FDACS Delivers Thousands of Pounds of Food to Hurricane Florence Victims
Commissioner of Agriculture Adam H. Putnam announced that the Florida Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services (FDACS) has delivered thousands of servings of food to Hurricane Florence victims in North Carolina. The department coordinated with the U.S. Department of Agriculture to ready and deliver USDA Foods to disaster relief sites and shelters. USDA Foods include a variety of canned, fresh, …
House to Recess Without Final Vote on Farm Bill
House and Senate farm bill negotiators say they are close to a compromise on a final bill, but they won’t seal the deal before the current legislation expires on Sept. 30 and the House recesses for an extended break in the run-up to the midterm elections in November. In a recent Zipline column, American Farm Bureau President Zippy Duvall explained …
AFBF: Environmental Litigation Reform Needed
Restoring balance to environmental litigation is vital to America’s farmers and ranchers. America’s farmers and ranchers embrace an ethic of resource conservation while producing food and fiber. But they are frustrated by inequity and lack of transparency in environmental activist groups’ misuse of litigation fee-shifting laws, according to the American Farm Bureau Federation. In such cases, Commercial Litigation Experts can …
State of Florida Ices Shrimp Rule
Shrimp harvested in Florida waters and shipped out for human consumption literally won’t have to be put on ice any longer. With an eye on growing Asian markets across the U.S., the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission approved a rule change Thursday that required shrimp harvested as food to be dead and put on ice when transported from the …