(NAFB) — Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell signaled an opportunity to quickly consider the U.S.-Mexico-Canada Agreement (USMCA). In a speech on the Senate floor Friday, McConnell says the Senate will “go about ordinary business,” because House Speaker Nancy Pelosi is holding the articles of impeachment, thought to delay USMCA consideration in the Senate this month. A hearing is on the …
AFIA: December Spending Bills Improve Feed Ingredient Approval Process
(NAFB) — The American Feed Industry Association (AFIA) says spending bills passed last month will improve the approval process for animal feed ingredients. The 2020 fiscal year appropriations package allocates new dollars to the Food and Drug Administration’s Center for Veterinary Medicine to hire additional staff specifically for reviewing new animal food ingredient submissions. The $5 million allocation from appropriators …
Possible Early Senate Push to Pass USMCA
(NAFB) — An American Farm Bureau Federation (AFBF) official says there could be an early push to win Senate passage of the U.S.-Mexico-Canada Agreement (USMCA) ahead of an impeachment trial. AFBF senior congressional relations director Dave Salmonsen says early Senate USMCA action is possible, given house speaker Nancy Pelosi’s holding back impeachment articles against the president. “If the impeachment trial …
Study Shows Farmers are Paying Higher Wages
(NAFB) — Farm Journal recently conducted a study that encompassed all sectors of agriculture. What they found was farmers are paying more in wages than at any point in history. They’re more efficient in using their available labor. However, they’re still frustrated. The survey of more than 2,100 farmers included almost 200 dairy farmers. Of the total producers, 87 percent …
Organic Sales Doubled Over Five Years
(NAFB) — U.S. organic sales doubled between 2012 and 2017, even though the total value of U.S. agricultural sales remained flat. The USDA says growth in the organic sector has taken off since the early 2010s as food manufacturers, retailers, and livestock producers have increased their demand for organic foods and inputs. Organic operations’ average sales were just over $400,600 …
Auxin Herbicide Trainings Scheduled Throughout AL
(ACES) — Many producers plant cotton and soybean varieties that are resistant to dicamba herbicides. Before making these herbicide applications, producers must have state certification and annual training because of a high injury risk. Alabama Cooperative Extension System crop specialists will provide auxin herbicide trainings in 16 locations throughout the state to fulfill Xtendimax, FeXapan and Engenia label requirements. Auxin Herbicide …
As World Celebrates New Year, American Cattlemen Celebrate New Trade Deals
New Deals With Japan, European Union Go Into Effect Today (NCBA) — National Cattlemen’s Beef Association President Jennifer Houston issued the following statement regarding the new trade deals with Japan and the European Union (EU), which go into effect on New Years Day: “As the clock struck midnight and revelers around the world popped champagne and toasted the new year, …
Farm Groups Want Crop Insurance Protected in Fiscal 2021 Budget
(NAFB) — The Crop Insurance Coalition is asking Ag Secretary Sonny Perdue and the Office of Management and Budget to oppose crop insurance cuts as the Trump Administration develops its fiscal year 2021 budget. The Hagstrom Report says the coalition sent a letter to President Trump and OMB Acting Director Russell Vought, saying, “For good reason, the state of the …
Report says Phase One Trade Deal Signing May Happen This Weekend
(NAFB) — Reports surfaced on Monday that the Chinese Vice Premier will lead a delegation to Washington, D.C., to sign the Phase One trade deal. A source close to the situation tells the South China Morning Post that Liu (Lou) He will fly to Washington on Saturday to sign the agreement. The source said the U.S. extended the invitation and …
Skepticism Remains Over China Ag Purchases
(NAFB) — An Associated Press report says there are still people on both sides of the Pacific Ocean who remain skeptical about the actual amount of farm goods that China committed to buy in the “Phase One” trade agreement with the U.S. Trade Representative Robert Lighthizer said the amount will total $40 billion a year. However, President Trump says the …