There are concerns that President Trump may pull the United States out of the North American Free Trade Agreement (NAFTA). Wisconsin Third District Congressman Ron Kind says if that would happen, it would be the first time the U.S. has pulled out of a signed agreement. Kind believes that before a withdrawal happens, Congress should have some input on pulling …
New Reporting Rule Takes Effect, Will Impact Animal Agriculture
Starting Nov. 15, Alabama farmers may be required to report the release of ammonia and hydrogen sulfide from their farms under the Comprehensive Environmental Response, Compensation, and Liability Act (CERCLA). This new requirement stems from an April 2017 court decision that struck down a rule exempting farms from reporting the releases. The U.S. Court of Appeals for the District of …
UF/IFAS Experts: Clean and Cook Holiday Meals Thoroughly
’Tis the season for holiday feasts, so before and after you enjoy a nutritious, tasty cornucopia, be sure to clean and cook thoroughly, UF/IFAS experts say. Here are hints to avoid food-borne illnesses from a holiday meal, according to Samara Deary, a family and consumer sciences agent with UF/IFAS Extension Bradford County; Nan Jensen, family and consumer sciences agent with …
October Farm Equipment Sales Increase
Tractor and combine sales for October increased from levels recorded last year. The Association of Equipment Manufacturer’s monthly report shows the sale of all tractors in the U.S. in October, were up 12 percent compared to the same month last year. For the month, two-wheel drive smaller tractors, under 40 horsepower, were up 12 percent from last year, while 40 …
U.S. Poultry Groups Applaud WTO’s Indonesian Ruling
U.S. poultry groups are pleased the World Trade Organization confirmed Indonesia’s import restrictions for horticultural products and animals and animal products are against WTO rules. The WTO has rejected Indonesia’s appeal of the panel finding, a move U.S. poultry groups say is a “resounding victory.” The USA Poultry & Egg Export Council, National Chicken Council, and National Turkey Federation echoed …
McKinney Visit to India Good for U.S. Pork
The National Pork Producers Council says the recent trip to India by Department of Agriculture Undersecretary for Trade and Foreign Affairs Ted McKinney bodes well for future pork exports. The trip, aimed at increasing U.S. agricultural export levels for India, allowed McKinney to press the nation to open access to U.S. pork. NPPC has been working for many years to …
Agriculture Groups Band Together to Support Section 199
More than 180 agricultural groups are coming together to support the Section 199 tax deduction not included in the tax reform proposal. The groups, led by the National Council of Farmer Cooperatives, penned a letter to House Speaker Paul Ryan and Minority Leader Nancy Pelosi opposing the effective repeal of Section 199. By not including the deduction, the House tax …
Analyst Predicts Farm Bill Delay
An Ohio-based economist and consultant told Pacific Northwest farmers last week Congress will most likely pass an extension of the 2014 Farm Bill, and delay the next farm bill until 2019. Matt Roberts told the Tri-State Grain Growers from Washington, Oregon and Idaho, that he predicts there will be an extension in 2018 and that the real bill will come …
NAFTA Talks Again Underway
Round five of the North American Free Trade Agreement (NAFTA) talks are set to begin Friday (11/17/2017) in Mexico City. However, Politico points out that talks will unofficially begin Wednesday (11/14/2017). Much of the two-day prelude to the official talks are expected to focus on textiles, labor, cross-border trade and intellectual property. There’s little expectation of talks regarding agriculture, at …
CERCLA Reporting Deadline for Livestock Producers is Wednesday
Back in 2008, the Environmental Protection Agency published a final rule that exempted most farms from certain release reporting requirements in The Comprehensive Environmental Response, Compensation, and Liability Act, or CERCLA. Specifically, the rule exempted farms releasing hazardous substances from animal waste to the air above threshold levels from reporting under the Act. In short, all farms were relieved from …