The House Agriculture Committee recently held its sixth and final Farm Bill listening session in upstate New York. Committee Chair Mike Conaway said the listening session in New York, along with the other five sessions, were invaluable to the committee as it looks toward developing a new Farm Bill. Disaster recovery programs are a big part of the Farm Bill. …
Trade Lawyer: Trump May be Pushing NAFTA Partners to Walk Away
The fourth round of negotiations for the North American Free Trade (NAFTA) agreement is in progress this week. American, Mexican, and Canadian negotiators are entering some of the more difficult subject matter the sides have to deal with. International Trade and Customs Attorney Dan Ujczo said the tone of Trump Administration negotiators is getting more aggressive. He says the U.S. …
NIFA Invests in Research to Help Boost Organic Farming, Ranching
The U.S. Department of Agriculture’s (USDA) National Institute of Food and Agriculture (NIFA) announced grants to help farmers and ranchers grow and market high-quality organic food, fiber, and other products. The grants are funded through the Organic Agriculture Research and Extension Initiative (OREI) and Organic Transitions Program (ORG). “Organic farming is one of many approaches to making American agriculture sustainable …
Putnam Speaks to Florida Congressional Delegation in Washington, D.C.
Florida Commissioner of Agriculture Adam H. Putnam joined Governor Rick Scott to discuss the recent agricultural damage caused by Hurricane Irma and to request federal assistance. The following are excerpts from his remarks: “The Florida delegation has a long history of coming together in the aftermath of these types of disasters and bringing the full weight of the third largest …
Rep. Matt Caldwell Announces Tax Relief Plan for Florida Agriculture Post Irma
Representative Matt Caldwell announced his proposed tax relief plan to help Florida farmers recover from the damage left in the wake of Hurricane Irma. The plan includes proposed cuts to Florida’s Tangible Personal Property Tax and Motor Fuel Tax, which are taxes that nearly every farmer, ag-related business, and the small business pay. Representative Matt Caldwell said, “After touring the …
Commissioner Putnam Releases Estimate on Hurricane Irma Damage
Florida Agriculture Commissioner Adam Putnam, has released an initial estimate on agriculture damage from Hurricane Irma. The estimate will serve as a baseline as policymakers create a disaster relief package for those impacted by the storm. Although these estimates are not final, they are a starting point. The document includes estimates on crop loss and cost of damages. Right now, …
Tax Reform Details to be Decided May Affect Agriculture
A senior member of the Senate Finance Committee is predicting some of the missing details affecting agriculture in the Senate GOP tax reform bill. Former Senate Finance Chair Chuck Grassley says while many tax reform details are yet to be decided, some are starting to take shape. Grassley suggests tax writers already have a figure in mind, for ‘stepped-up basis’ …
More Than 1,000 Stations Offering E15 in the U.S.
Growth Energy says more than 1,000 fuel stations throughout the U.S. are now offering E15 fuels, more than doubling the number of stations from the same time last year. Growth in the availability of the 15 percent ethanol blend is “a testament to the value E15 brings to fuel retailers and consumers,” according to Growth Energy CEO Emily Skor. Growth …
Censky, McKinney, Sworn in at USDA
Agriculture Secretary Sonny Perdue welcomed two leaders to his staff at the Department of Agriculture Tuesday. Perdue swore in Steve Censky as Deputy Secretary of Agriculture, and Ted McKinney as USDA’s new Under Secretary of Agriculture for Trade and Foreign Agricultural Affairs. Perdue says Censky and McKinney are “two experienced, prepared, and capable nominees,” who will provide steady leadership at …
Mexico, Canada, Could Seek Dairy Access to U.S.
Mexico and Canada may have little to ask for when it comes to ag trade barriers with the United States, but they could seek further dairy access. Former chief agriculture trade negotiator, Darci Vetter, told Politico since both Mexico and Canada have long wanted U.S. Food and Drug Administration recognition to sell Grade A dairy products like fresh yogurt and …