(NAFB) — Lawmakers in the House of Representatives are on track to pass the U.S.-Mexico-Canada Agreement (USMCA) this week. The House Ways and Means Committee began the process Tuesday, considering the implementing bill in a markup hearing. During the hearing, Committee Chairman Richard Neal said during his opening statement, which included no mention of agriculture, that the changes “set a …
House Approves Spending Package for Agriculture
(NAFB) — The House of Representatives Tuesday advanced a spending package that will extend the biodiesel tax credit and offer additional disaster aid to farmers. The American Soybean Association says the biodiesel tax credit will “expand markets for soybean growers.” The tax credit expansion is part of a tax package amendment included in a funding bill for the Department of …
NPPC Applauds U.S. House Passage of Ag Inspectors Funding
(NPPC) — The U.S. House of Representatives approved an additional $19.6 million in funding for more agricultural inspectors at land, air and sea ports to prevent African swine fever (ASF) and other foreign animal diseases (FAD) from entering the United States. This funding, included in the fiscal year 2020 Department of Homeland Security appropriations bill, is a top priority for …
USDA Funds Conservation Innovation Across the Country
(USDA/NRCS) — USDA’s Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS) is awarding about $12.5 million in grants to support the development of innovative systems and technologies for private lands conservation. The funding is provided through the Conservation Innovation Grants (CIG) program, which is funding the future of agriculture and conservation through grants to organizations and universities that are developing the next generation …
Farm Credit Administration: Expect Low Crop Prices in 2020
(NAFB) — A quarterly report to the Farm Credit Administration last week suggests commodity prices will mostly remain low next year. The report cites large global supplies of crops in storage, saying that will limit attractive price opportunities for U.S. farmers. For the next three years, soybean prices are projected at roughly $8.50 a bushel, with corn at $3.70 a …
Agricultural Outlook Hopeful as New Year Approaches
Some of the brightest minds in agriculture met Dec. 10 in Auburn to share ideas, discuss research and learn more about the current global agricultural outlook. Alabama Extension partnered with Auburn University’s Department of Crop, Soil and Environmental Sciences to bring a wide variety of speakers to the Alabama Row Crops Short Course to share updates with Alabama farmers. Speakers …
Senate President Balks at Governor’s E-Verify Proposal
(NSF) — Gov. Ron DeSantis wants all Florida businesses to use a system to prevent undocumented immigrants from getting jobs in the state, but a powerful Republican leader is pushing back against the proposal. Senate President Bill Galvano said this week he does not support a measure that would force Florida’s private employers to use the federal government’s E-Verify system, …
Groups Respond to China Phase One Trade News
NCBA Welcomes First Phase In U.S./China Trade Deal (NCBA) — National Cattlemen’s Beef Association (NCBA) CEO Colin Woodall issued the following statement regarding today’s announcement that the U.S. and China have agreed to a phase one trade deal: “The announcement of a phase one deal with China is welcome news for the U.S. beef industry. While we wait to learn …
Researchers Fortify Queen of the Forages with Disease Defense
(USDA/ARS) — Alfalfa is often called the “Queen of the Forages” due to its high yield, feed quality for ruminant animals, nitrogen fixation and pollinator habitat among other environmental services. But this royal member of the legume family is no match against the host of microbes that cause the disease complex known as “crown rot.” Chemical controls aren’t effective against …
Florida’s Arguments Rejected in ‘Water War’
(NSF) — For years, Florida has blamed Georgia’s water use for causing damage to the economically vital oyster industry in Apalachicola Bay. But a special master appointed by the U.S. Supreme Court disagreed this week, dealing a major blow to Florida in its legal fight to force Georgia to share more water in a river system that links the two …