cotton growers

Cotton Farm Bill Program in the Works, Long Road Ahead

Dan Cotton, Farm Bill, Industry News Release

Support for cotton growers is in the works, albeit a slow process. The National Cotton Council’s Jody Campiche, director of economics and policy, says getting a farm bill program established is a top priority for the sector. Program Long-term, Campiche says a seed cotton program is the council’s preference. Preference She says cotton growers need more support. While prices for …

Growing Corn like a Champ

Dan Corn, Industry News Release

Setting a new world National Corn Growers Association record in 2017 with a yield of more than 542 bushels per acre, Charles City, Virginia corn grower David Hula says there is no one “silver bullet” to big crops, but there are a few things producers should pay attention to. Watch After selecting your hybrid, Hula says the next most important …

congressman

Congressman Yoho Requests Flexibility on ELD Implementation

Dan Cattle, Industry News Release, Livestock

According to the National Cattlemen’s Beef Association (NCBA), as the Department of Transportation presses ahead with implementation of electronic logging devices (ELD), Florida Congressman Ted Yoho is asking Transportation Secretary Elaine Chao to provide livestock haulers with a longer-term waiver from the ELDs. In his official letter, Yoho wrote “I would ask that the [Department of Transportation] issue an exemption for livestock haulers for a period of …

pork

NPPC Supports New Pork Inspection Model

Dan Industry News Release, Pork

The U.S. Department of Agriculture has proposed a new pork processing inspection rule, a decision strongly supported by the National Pork Producers Council (NPPC). As a result, the USDA’s Food Safety Inspection Service (FSIS) HACCP Inspection Model (HIMP) will be expanded from five current pilot locations to full-scale implementation. “We support the USDA’s decision to advance HIMP as it introduces …

PRODUCERS

Perdue Names Appointees to the Alabama USDA Farm Service Agency State Committee

Dan Alabama, Industry News Release

U. S. Secretary of Agriculture Sonny Perdue recently announced the individuals who will serve on the Alabama USDA Farm Service Agency (FSA) state committee. The state committee is responsible for the oversight of farm programs and county committee operations, resolving appeals from the agriculture community, and helping to keep producers informed about FSA programs. Each state committee has five members, …

georgia

Georgia Cold Weather Update from Agriculture Commissioner Gary Black

Dan Georgia, Industry News Release, Weather

“The cold weather this week, in addition to cooler temperatures throughout this winter season, have proven beneficial to many of our crops by providing much needed chill hours. In fact, peach and blueberry crops have received more chill hours this year than the last two years combined.  We must of course always be realistic in the fact that there is …

trade

USDA Announces Proposed Rule to Modernize Swine Inspection

Dan Industry News Release, Pork

The U.S. Department of Agriculture’s (USDA) Food Safety and Inspection Service (FSIS) announced its continued effort to modernize inspection systems through science-based approaches to food safety. USDA is proposing to amend the federal meat inspection regulations to establish a new voluntary inspection system for market hog slaughter establishments called the New Swine Slaughter Inspection System (NSIS), while also requiring additional …

china ambassador

NAFTA on Farmers’ Minds, China Bigger Trade Challenge

Dan Industry News Release, Trade

The North American Free Trade Agreement (NAFTA) talks may be foremost on farmers’ minds these days, but two deputy U.S. Trade Representative nominees told Senate Finance members, China is the bigger trade challenge. President Trump tapped Dennis Shea to be a deputy U.S. Trade Representative to the World Trade Organization in Geneva, and Shea, who’s headed the China-U.S. Economic and …

eu

EU Moves to Ban Palm Oil from Biofuels

Dan Energy, Industry News Release

The European Union (EU) gave approval to a climate plan that includes banning palm oil from use in fuels, angering palm oil producers. Indonesia and Malaysia, the two largest palm oil producing nations in the world, call the move a protectionist trade barrier. The ban is part of a power market overhaul aimed at reducing energy consumption to meet climate …

conference

Conaway: Farm Bill on Track for March Unveil

Dan Farm Bill, Industry News Release, Legislative

The House version of the 2018 farm bill remains on track for a March unveiling, according to House Agriculture Committee Chair Mike Conaway. The Republican told Politico the committee is waiting for an official 10-year cost estimate from the Congressional Budget Office to ensure “we can afford the proposal.” The committee started working on the House version of the bill …