The national farm economy is deteriorating, forcing many family farmers and ranchers to make tough financial decisions that will impact their families, communities, and the entire country. In order to provide farmers with the resources and support needed to endure these tough economic conditions, National Farmers Union (NFU) and Farmers Union state divisions have compiled resources, organized listening sessions, and …
USDA Approves Modifications to Margin Protection Plan of Insurance for Crops
The U.S. Department of Agriculture’s Risk Management Agency this week announced greater crop insurance options for farmers against unexpected decreases in their operating margin. Offered through the federal crop insurance program, margin protection insurance for corn, wheat, rice and soybeans will be available in more states and have updates designed to better clarify the real input costs covered beginning in …
Japan Wishes for U.S. to Return to TPP
Japan’s Prime Minister Shinzo Abe said this week he hopes the U.S. will rejoin the Trans-Pacific Partnership (TPP) trade agreement that is worth billions of dollars for U.S. agriculture. Japan is continuing to push to finalize TPP, following Donald Trump removing the U.S. from the agreement. The 11 remaining members have started discussions on how to proceed. Prime Minister Abe …
Roberts, Stabenow, Pressing USDA on Canada Dairy Policy
Senate Agriculture Committee leaders want the Department of Agriculture to address a dairy pricing issue between the U.S. and Canada. Senators Pat Roberts and Debbie Stabenow are pressing USDA and the U.S. Trade Representative’s office to provide continued engagement with Canada over its dairy pricing policies that are harmful to U.S. dairy producers. In a letter to Agriculture Secretary Sonny …
NFU, Coalition of Rural Organizations Oppose Elimination of Rural Development Mission Area and Under Secretary
Highlighting the important work carried out by U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) Rural Development, National Farmers Union (NFU) and a diverse coalition of rural organizations are calling on Congress to prevent any attempt to eliminate the Rural Development Mission Area (RD) and the Office of the Under Secretary for Rural Development. The groups outlined their concerns in a letter to members …
Florida Farmers to Visit Elected Officials in Washington
Florida farmers, ranchers and small business owners will speak up for agriculture when they visit with the Florida Congressional delegation in Washington, D.C., May 23-25. More than 80 Farm Bureau members from across the Sunshine State will travel to the nation’s capital to discuss various federal policies that affect agriculture and rural land. The agenda includes a series of informal …
Study: U.S. Meat Sales to Reach $100 Billion
A new report projects that demand for meat and poultry will continue to drive sales in the U.S., helping total retail sales reach $100 billion by 2021. The report by market research firm Packaged Facts says meat and poultry products are consumer favorites, food industry mainstays and protein powerhouses, all factors that will keep the U.S. animal protein industry growing. …
Cargill: Grain Glut to Last
Cargill expects international grain markets to remain oversupplied. The company’s CEO told Reuters recently that the oversupply will remain “for a long time” due to bountiful harvests and an increase of crops in storage. Global corn, wheat and soybean inventories have increased over the last four years in the longest stretch of gains since the late 1990s, according to the …
Mexico Officials Visiting U.S. This Week to Talk Trade
With U.S. Trade Representative Robert Lighthizer’s swearing-in Monday, a group of trade officials from Mexico plan to travel to the U.S. to begin working on trade issues between the two countries. U.S. News and World Report says Luis Videgaray, Mexico’s Foreign Minister, will travel with other high ranking officials from Mexico to the U.S. as the two countries seek to …
USDA Political Appointment Nominees Coming Soon
The White House is close to announcing nominees for political appointments within the Department of Agriculture, as reported by Agri-Pulse. Rumored for the number two spot at USDA, Steve Censky, CEO of the American Soybean Association, is expected to be nominated for the USDA deputy secretary position. Current Iowa Agriculture Secretary Bill Northey is expected to receive the nominee for …