The science of agriculture grows more complex every year. Today, the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s (USDA) National Institute of Food and Agriculture (NIFA) announced support for projects to help bridge the gap between biotechnology innovations and the policies on how to use them. These grants are funded through NIFA’s Biotechnology Risk Assessment Research Grants (BRAG) Program. “Biotechnology offers innovative tools …
More Than 64,000 Expected in Indianapolis for 2017 National FFA Convention & Expo
Innovators and leaders of tomorrow, FFA members make a difference by sharing their stories of agricultural education and FFA. This year, members will continue the tradition as they attend the 90th National FFA Convention & Expo, held in Indianapolis, the Circle City, Oct. 25-28, 2017. More than 64,000 FFA members from across the United States, representing all 50 states, Puerto …
New Invasive Ant in Florida Identified by UF Researcher
University of Florida Institute of Food and Agricultural Sciences researchers have discovered a new invasive ant species in south Florida that can have dire consequences for homeowners and for surrounding ecosystems. The yellow ant, Plagiolepis alluaudi, is native to Madagascar and is already invasive in several Caribbean Islands, including Barbados, St. Lucia and Nevis, among others, said Thomas Chouvenc, UF/IFAS …
Deere Wins Trademark Lawsuit
A U.S. District Court in Kentucky ruled in favor of Deere and Company in a trademark lawsuit. The lawsuit was filed by Deere to protect the use of the trademark green and yellow color combination on John Deere agricultural equipment. Following a one-week trial held in June, the court recently announced it had ruled in favor of Deere. The court …
U.S. Wheat Closing Cairo Office
U.S. Wheat Associates announced it would close its office located in Cairo, Egypt in December. U.S. Wheat President Vince Peterson called the decision “difficult.” However, he said the organization saw a need to begin adjusting its activities in the Middle East and North Africa several years ago as the supply of significantly lower-priced wheat from Russia increased. The organization previously …
Report Shows Uncertainty Harming Farmers
Trade and regulatory uncertainty is hampering U.S. Farmers. The Global Harvest Initiative released its 2017 GAP reports or Global Productivity Report. The report shows that for the fourth straight year, global agricultural productivity growth is not accelerating fast enough to sustainably feed the world in 2050. Meanwhile, the report says uncertainty about trade opportunities and regulations complicates planning for U.S. …
TPP Members Nearing Agreement
As the U.S. remains focused on reworking the North American Free Trade Agreement (NAFTA), and to a lesser extent, the U.S.-Korea Free (KORUS) Trade Agreement, the Trans-Pacific Partnership (TPP) is heading closer to reality. TPP was worth an estimated $4 billion annually to U.S. agriculture. However, upon taking office ten months ago, President Donald Trump withdrew the U.S. from the …
Blairsville, GA Farmers Produce State Record Pumpkin
Tim Grizzle and Patrick Fix (pictured at right) of Blairsville, Georgia recently harvested the current Georgia state record pumpkin. The giant gourd weighed in at 1306 pounds, a state record according to The Great Pumpkin Commonwealth. The pumpkin, currently on display at the Union County Farmers Market, will remain there until the end of October. by Larry Flegle, WUCG-FM, Blairsville, …
Trump Directs EPA to Back Away from RFS Proposals
Bloomberg reports the White House has told the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) to stand down on proposals that biofuels advocates say threaten the Renewable Fuel Standard. The news comes after Iowa Republican Governor Kim Reynolds spoke with President Trump Wednesday morning over the phone before a planned meeting between the two next week. Reynolds said she made the case for …
NMPF Comments on Round 4 of NAFTA Negotiations
“We are pleased that U.S. trade negotiators have told Canada that its problematic dairy policies must be addressed in the negotiations over the North American Free Trade Agreement (NAFTA). “The proposal advanced by the U.S. Trade Representative is the right approach to move dairy trade between our two countries closer to the free trade relationship that exists for most other …