Oct. 12 is celebrated as National Farmers Day. Farmers are the lifeblood of our economy, providing food, fuel, and fiber for our nation and around the globe. On this day of recognition, the Renewable Fuels Association would like to thank and honor farmers for their service, especially USDA Secretary Sonny Perdue, who grew up on a dairy and row crop …
NMPF Pokes FDA for Taking Action Against Granola Made with “Love,” But Not “Milks” Made from Plants
The U.S. Food and Drug Administration’s (FDA) recent enforcement action against a Massachusetts granola maker for listing “love” as an ingredient in its product is a clear indication that the agency has time and resources to enforce regulations against the use of the term “milk” on the labels of plant-derived dairy imitators, the National Milk Producers Federation (NMPF) said today. …
PLC, NCBA Praise Markup of National Monument Creation and Protection Act
The Public Lands Council and National Cattlemen’s Beef Association praised Chairman Rob Bishop and the House Natural Resources Committee for marking-up H.R. 3990, the National Monument Creation and Protection Act. H.R. 3390 would bring long-overdue reform to the national monument designation process by setting clear parameters for the appropriate size of designations, giving voice to local residents and business owners, …
Palm Beach County Sugarcane, Vegetable Fields Flooded
Fresh green beans, a popular dish on the Thanksgiving table, are expected to be in short supply this Thanksgiving after vegetable and sugar cane crops in western Palm Beach County were wiped out by flooding. Hurricane Irma, which made landfall in Florida on Sept. 10, drenched and flooded fields south of Lake Okeechobee in the Belle Glade and Pahokee area, …
Irma Damages to Cattle Industry in Florida Estimates Skyrocket
The Florida Department of Agriculture said this week that damages to the states beef cattle industry are estimated at 237.5 million in the aftermath of Hurricane Irma. Florida surveys cattle ranches after the category four hurricane hit the state, and found more than 100 dead animals reported, along with 187,000 calves waiting to be shipped to out-of-state feedlots. Forage crops …
Perdue Traveling to Europe
Agriculture Secretary Sonny Perdue is in Europe this week participating in the G-7 Agriculture Ministers Meeting in Italy. Perdue will also deliver remarks at the World Food Day observance in Rome, and engage in policy dialogue with his counterparts in London and Madrid. The European Union is a top agricultural market for U.S. exports. However, Perdue says, that “while he …
USDA Suspends CRP Enrollment
The Department of Agriculture announced this week that it would process many pending eligible offers for enrollment in the Conservation Reserve Program. USDA also announced it would suspend accepting most new offers until later in the 2018 fiscal year. All current, eligible CRP continuous enrollment offers made through September 30th, 2017, except for those made under the Pollinator Habitat Initiative, …
Report Recommends Changes for NASS Data Collection
A new report suggests the Department of Agriculture should develop a new system for gathering information for crop reports and other surveys. USDA contracted with the National Academy of Sciences three years ago to audit how USDA’s National Agricultural Statistics Service collects data. The report highlighted that NASS could make several changes over time to improve the accuracy of its …
Britain Could Join NAFTA If Brexit Deal Fails
If the North American Free Trade Agreement (NAFTA) survives the renegotiation effort, The United Kingdom may be interested in joining the pact. Reuters-London reports Britain could join a formal trade alliance with the United States, Canada, and Mexico if the European Union refuses to finalize a post-Brexit trade deal by 2019. Reuters says that if Britain did join NAFTA, exporters …
Trump Calls Trudeau a Friend During NAFTA Talks
President Donald Trump called Canada’s Prime Minister, Justin Trudeau, “great friend” as tensions rise amidst the North American Free Trade Agreement (NAFTA) negotiations this week. However, as Bloomberg reports, Trump showed no signs of retreat regarding NAFTA, saying “It’s possible we won’t be able to make a deal and it’s possible we will.” Farm and industry groups were raising alarms …