The House Ways and Means Committee tax overhaul plan released Thursday provides a blueprint for tax reform. The plan is essentially a set of promotional documents, with many details unaccounted for. The documents say the estate tax would be repealed, and that the legislation will lower individual and corporate tax rates. Agriculture groups are reviewing the first draft of the …
USDA Issues Safety-Net Payments to Alabama Farmers
USDA Alabama Farm Service Agency (FSA) Acting State Executive Director, Jacqueline McCloud, announced that approximately 180,000 Alabama farms that enrolled in safety-net programs established by the 2014 Farm Bill will receive financial assistance for the 2016 crop year. The programs, known as Agriculture Risk Coverage (ARC) and Price Loss Coverage (PLC), are designed to protect against unexpected drops in crop …
USDA Takes Successful Trade Mission to India
India serves as the first trade mission stop for Ted McKinney, the newly minted Department of Agriculture Undersecretary for Trade and Foreign Agricultural Affairs. McKinney led a group of 50 men and women, representing 29 agricultural companies, associations, and state governments, overseas in an effort to boost trade opportunities between the U.S. and India, which is the 17th largest export …
USDA Invests $2.5 Billion in Rural Electric Infrastructure
Loans Will Help Create Jobs and Spur Business Growth in 27 States Secretary of Agriculture Sonny Perdue announced that USDA is investing $2.5 billion in rural electric infrastructure improvements to help create jobs and support economic development in 27 states. “These significant investments will help develop and maintain modern, reliable electric infrastructure that businesses and rural communities need in a 21st Century …
Perdue Statement on House Passage of Resilient Federal Forests Act
Secretary of Agriculture Sonny Perdue applauded the U.S. House of Representatives for passing the Resilient Federal Forests Act of 2017 (H.R. 2936) as an important step toward better management of national forests. The legislation, sponsored by Rep. Bruce Westerman (AR-04), seeks to implement proactive management standards for forests and paves the way for a solution to the problem of U.S. …
Agriculture, Environmental Funding Pitched
Agriculture Commissioner Adam Putnam will ask state lawmakers for $75 million next year to fund a depleted program that helps shield agricultural land from development. Meanwhile, Gov. Rick Scott said Thursday he will propose spending $21 million to help struggling citrus growers reeling after Hurricane Irma. “They have one crop a year. With all the wind and the rain, it …
U.S. Must Make Commitment To Agricultural Research
The National Pork Producers Council in delivered testimony urged Congress to renew its commitment to funding agricultural research to help America’s farmers feed a growing world population, improve public health and strengthen U.S. national security by ensuring America’s food security. NPPC chief veterinarian Dr. Liz Wagstrom told the House Committee on Science, Space and Technology Subcommittee on Research and Technology …
Farmers Applaud Move to Reform Tax Code
The following may be attributed to American Farm Bureau Federation President Zippy Duvall: “Farm Bureau applauds Congress for its progress in reforming the tax code. This new tax plan moves us closer to a tax system that rewards the hard work and entrepreneurship of America’s farm and ranch families. “Today’s proposal includes expanded, immediate expensing while continuing the business interest …
North Florida/South Georgia Dairy Meeting November 16: Milk Quality
Temperatures are finally cooling and calving season is beginning to ramp up. That means more cows are milking. You are invited to come learn about results of a three-state (Michigan, Pennsylvania, and Florida) Milk Quality Assurance research and extension project which is winding up its fifth and final year.  The information which has been gleaned from milkers, supervisors, managers, and …
FMC Closes Transaction with DuPont
FMC Corporation Wednesday announced it has completed the closing of its two pending transactions with DuPont. The two companies signed an agreement back in March and now say all necessary conditions and approvals are completed. FMC has acquired the portion of DuPont’s Crop Protection business it had to divest to comply with the European Commission ruling related to its merger …