Democrats on the House Agriculture Committee have asked ranking member Collin Peterson to stop negotiating on the farm bill until Chairman Mike Conaway releases the bill to the full committee. Roll Call reports Peterson is heeding the request, and says the move “will give the members information about what is actually being proposed.” The proposed farm bill reportedly included many …
National Ag Day Reminds Us of the Enormous Impact of Agriculture on Our Daily Lives
When most people walk into a grocery store, the shelves are stocked year-round with all the food they want, so they might not consider the origins of their food. Jack Payne, UF senior vice president for agriculture and natural resources, said it’s critical to know the origins of our food supply, and not just the sake of being aware. “As …
Georgia Peanut Commission Holds Referendum March 16-April 16
The Georgia Peanut Commission (GPC) will hold a referendum March 16 through April 16 giving peanut producers an opportunity to vote on reaffirming the commission. State law mandates that a referendum be held every three years. Georgia peanut producers invest $2 per ton to fund the commission and its research, education, promotion and communication programs. The last referendum in 2015 …
Justice Department Not Satisfied With Bayer/Monsanto Proposals
Bayer’s plan to get antitrust approval from the U.S. Justice Department hasn’t satisfied the expectations of U.S. officials. Two sources told Bloomberg that those officials are worried that the merger could hurt competition. The department feels the Bayer proposal to sell off assets doesn’t go far enough. The U.S. government wants Bayer to sell off more of its assets in …
South Korea Adopts New Poultry Import Policy
The South Korean Ministry of Agriculture has adopted a new regionalization policy that is good news for the U.S. poultry and egg industry. The new policy prevents a countrywide ban on U.S. exports to Korea in the event of a future finding of Highly Pathogenic Avian Influenza. Should a case be found in the future, only exports from each affected …
Senate Finance Committee Wants to Talk Trade, Tariffs
The Senate Finance Committee will hold a hearing next Thursday, March 22, regarding the Trump Administration’s trade policy. The Hagstrom Report says that U.S. Trade Representative Robert Lighthizer will be the lone witness at the proceedings. The committee chair, Republican Orrin Hatch of Utah, has been critical of President Donald Trump’s announced trade tariffs. Hatch says in a news release, …
Countries Asking U.S. for Tariff Exemptions
European Union Trade Commissioner Cecilia Malmstrom is continuing to petition the United States for exemptions to the upcoming steel and aluminum tariffs. Politico quotes her as saying the tariffs will shake the transatlantic relationship between the countries if they go into effect. She told Commerce Secretary Wilbur Ross during a phone call that the EU “as a close security ally …
Rural Mainstreet Index Remains Positive
Dodd-Frank Limits Lending for Most Rural Banks March Survey Results at a Glance: * For a second straight month the overall index rose above growth neutral. * Approximately 16.8 percent of grain farmers are expected to suffer negative cash flow for 2018. This is down slightly from 12 months earlier. * The percent of farmland purchases for cash (not financed) declined …
USDA Announces Regionalization Agreement with South Korea
Help Protect U.S. Trade During HPAI Detections The United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) announced an agreement with the government of South Korea that significantly reduces negative impacts on trade should another detection of highly pathogenic avian influenza (HPAI) occur in the United States. The agreement will allow for trade restrictions at the state level instead of the country level …
Deadline Approaching in Southeast for SBA Working Loans
Alabama SBA Working Capital Loans The U.S. Small Business Administration is reminding small businesses, small agricultural cooperatives, small businesses engaged in aquaculture and most private nonprofit organizations that April 16 is the filing deadline for federal economic injury disaster loans in Alabama as a result of the rainfall, wind, flooding, flash flooding and Tropical Storm Cindy from May 1 through …