A key U.S. ag senator has weighed in on President Trump’s latest threats to withdraw from trade agreements, including one with strategically important South Korea, the KORUS agreement. Longtime Senate Ag Republican Chuck Grassley doesn’t think ditching a trade deal with one of America’s biggest trading partners in ag and manufacturing, South Korea, makes much sense But like NAFTA, now …
EPA Considering Dicamba Limits
The Environmental protection Agency is considering establishing limits to dicamba-based herbicides next year. Agriculture officials from several states that are advising the EPA on dicamba tell Reuters that the EPA is considering banning the use of dicamba after a cutoff date, likely in early 2018. The initiative is similar to rules being considered in Arkansas, which would ban the use …
Trump Announces USDA Nominations over Labor Day Weekend
President Donald Trump over the weekend announced three nominations to the U.S. Department of Agriculture. Trump has nominated current Iowa Agriculture Secretary Bill Northey to serve as the undersecretary for farm production and conservation, a post created by Agriculture Secretary Sonny Perdue earlier this year. Trump also nominated Nebraska Department of Agriculture Director Greg Ibach (eye-bah) to serve as undersecretary …
Lower Commodity Prices Dragging Farm Optimism
Lower commodity prices in August pushed farm economy optimism lower, according to the Purdue-CME Group Ag Economy Barometer released this week. The barometer drifted lower in August to 132 points, down seven points from July, but still stronger than the year ago level of 96. A reading over 100 indicates optimism regarding the farm economy, while a reading below indicates …
Agriculture to Trump: Don’t Mess with KORUS
Agriculture groups responded to President Donald Trump’s comments regarding a free trade agreement with South Korea over the weekend by urging the President not to withdraw from the accord. Trump said the U.S. would consider withdrawing from the U.S.-Korea Free Trade Agreement, known as KORUS. U.S. Wheat Associates chairman Mike Miller says: “It would be irresponsible to unilaterally walk away …
NAFTA Round Two Concludes in Mexico City
Round two of the renegotiation talks regarding the North American Free Trade Agreement (NAFTA) was largely uneventful, according to those included in the talks. While the U.S. is suggesting a deal can be completed by the end of this year, many see the slow progress as an indication of a much longer negotiation process. Mexico’s top agriculture official told Bloomberg, …
Four Livestock Shelters Open in Alabama in Preparation for Hurricane Irma
With expectations of Hurricane Irma making landfall in south Florida this weekend, the Alabama Department of Agriculture and Industries (ADAI) has been in contact with the Alabama Cooperative Extension System (ACES), Alabama Farmers Federation (ALFA), Alabama Horse Council and the Florida Department of Agriculture and Consumers Services to confirm temporary sheltering facilities for evacuated livestock including horses and cattle. “Hurricane …
Putnam Announces Suspension of Intrastate Movement Requirements for Transportation of Pets and Livestock
Commissioner of Agriculture Adam H. Putnam’s department suspended intrastate movement requirements for the transportation of animals from the areas expected to be impacted by Hurricane Irma. Additionally, Alabama, Georgia, and Mississippi have waived their interstate import requirements for Florida pets and livestock. “By suspending the intrastate movement requirements for the transportation of animals, we can ensure that Floridians and visitors …
Farm and Biofuels Groups Urge EPA to Comply With Federal Court Decision
Farm and biofuels groups are urging the Environmental Protection Agency to comply with a federal court decision and not reduce proposed 2018 targets for cellulosic and other advanced biofuels in the nation’s fuel supply. National Corn Growers, National Farmers Union, and the Renewable Fuels Association are urging the EPA to follow the law and a recent court decision, and boost, …
Whole Foods Launching Plant-Based Burger Joints
Whole Foods announced last week it is opening its fourth “plant-based burger joint” in Seattle, Washington. Next Level Burger makes meatless protein products and is undergoing a national expansion, promising many additional locations beyond three in Oregon and the new Seattle location within a Whole Foods Market. Meat Industry Publication Meatingplace reports that its menu includes more than a dozen …