State Rep. Matt Caldwell topped a four-way Republican primary for agriculture commissioner Tuesday, while lawyer and medical-marijuana lobbyist Nikki Fried had an easier time emerging from a field of three Democrats to become her party’s nominee for the Cabinet post. The two will now go head-to-head in November to replace term-limited Agriculture Commissioner Adam Putnam, who lost a bid for …
Food Safety Professionals Ensure that “What’s in Your Meat” is Safe and Wholesome
As the head of a public health agency that ensures the safety of meat and poultry, food safety is my number one priority. Americans depend on us to keep their food safe. When you see the USDA mark of inspection, you can have confidence that the products have been inspected and passed – meaning that every carcass has been inspected, …
Canada Returns to NAFTA Talks
Negotiators from Canada rushed to Washington, D.C. this week to resume talks on the North American Free Trade Agreement with the United States. The U.S. is pushing to get a so-called handshake agreement with Canada, following a framework agreement with Mexico. The U.S. seeks to announce a deal by the end of this week, placing a deadline of Friday. However, …
Canadian Business Council Says NAFTA Agreement Possible this Week
Business groups in Canada say it is possible that Canada could agree to a framework deal on the North American Free Trade Agreement (NAFTA) this week, in line with a Trump administration goal. Talks are underway between the U.S. and Canada in hopes an updated handshake agreement can be reached, after the U.S. announced an agreement with Mexico. The CEO …
Senator Sanders Wants Big Companies to Pay for SNAP
A bill by Senator Bernie Sanders seeks to make big companies pay up for SNAP benefits their employees receive. Sanders, of Vermont, plans to introduce the bill next week on the same day the farm bill conferees meet. The bill would impose a 100 percent tax on government benefits including food stamps received by workers at companies with 500 or …
Dairy Farms Turning to GoFundMe to Stay in Business
The wife of a Wisconsin dairy farmer started a GoFundMe page to help their family farm survive. With a goal of $35,000, the story made national headlines over the weekend, and as of Tuesday, donations have reached $90,000. In her message, the wife was “asking for help to keep our small family dairy farm going.” The family farm recently went …
Trade Relief Package Favors Soybeans
The Department of Agriculture’s trade relief package is drawing criticisms that it favors soybean production over corn. Soybeans, no doubt a hotter commodity for China, which is targeting U.S. ag as part of the trade war with the U.S., have a much larger payout than corn. The payments are based on 2018 production levels that must be certified and provided …
More Help for Pecan Growers Affected by 2017 Weather Events
The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) announced that additional assistance has been made available for pecan growers to replant and replace trees through the Tree Assistance Program (TAP) as they recover from the impacts of 2017 weather events, which was made available by the Consolidated Appropriations Act of 2018. “Pecan orchards were hard hit in by storms in 2017. I saw first-hand …
Rubio, Nelson Raise Concerns About Mexico Trade Deal
While President Donald Trump on Monday hailed a tentative trade deal with Mexico, U.S. Sen. Marco Rubio, R-Fla., and U.S. Sen. Bill Nelson, D-Fla., raised concerns about whether the deal would adequately protect Florida farmers. Rubio and Nelson sent a joint letter to U.S. Trade Representative Robert Lighthizer requesting that he work “diligently to ensure Florida’s agriculture community is fairly …
Agriculture Welcomes USDA Help, Urges End to Trade Disputes
Agriculture groups welcomed the aid offered by a Department of Agriculture relief package announced Monday, but urged the administration to end trade disputes. Pork exports are one of the hardest-hit export categories, as U.S. pork exports to China are down significantly for the year, with the value falling nine percent through June. The drop has come mostly because of the …