Clock Ticking on USMCA Passage

(NAFB) — House Speaker Nancy Pelosi last week voiced optimism for bringing up the U.S.-Mexico-Canada (USMCA) trade deal for House action, soon. But there’s still no sign of a negotiating breakthrough with the White House, and the clock is ticking. There are only 16 legislative days left when the House returns next week from its latest recess. American Farm Bureau …

October Ag Economy Barometer Improves

(NAFB) — The October Ag Economy Barometer improved to a reading of 136 in October, up 15 points compared to September. The monthly measure of the farm economy saw an increase in the assessment of current and future conditions by farmers. The Current Conditions Index rose from 100 in September to 115 in October, and the Futures Expectations Index also …

Northern Everglades Rules to Change

Article by Katrina Elsken Cattle ranches have been in the Lake Okeechobee watershed since pioneers first settled the area, but before the Central and South Florida Project for Flood Control, the nutrient loads entering Lake Okeechobee were not a problem, Gary Ritter of Florida Farm Bureau told South Florida Water Management District representatives at the Nov. 5 workshop in Okeechobee. “The …

Research Probe Ways to Increase Yields of Grain Crops

(USDA/ARS) — Scientists with USDA’s Agricultural Research Service (ARS) and Cold Spring Harbor Laboratory (CSHL) are working on field trials and genetic studies that could one day double the yields of sorghum, which is one of the world’s most important sources of food, animal feed and biofuel.  The efforts follow recent discoveries by ARS scientist Zhanguo Xin, who is based in …

Montana Senator Introduces Resolution to Restart COOL

(NAFB) — Senator Jon Tester of Montana introduced a resolution in support of the reestablishment of Country of Origin Labeling. The COOL resolution puts forth a firm statement of support for the program, which was repealed back in 2015. The introduction follows months of coordination and collaboration by Tester, who’s been pulling together consumer and producer stakeholders to push the …

44th Annual Georgia Peanut Farm Show Set for Jan. 16, 2020, in Tifton

Make plans to attend the 44th annual Georgia Peanut Farm Show and Conference scheduled for Thursday, Jan. 16, 2020, from 8:30 a.m. – 2:30 p.m. at the University of Georgia Tifton Campus Conference Center in Tifton, Georgia. The one-day show is free and open to all farmers and industry representatives to attend.   Attendees will have the opportunity to visit …

Governor Ron DeSantis Appoints Two to the SFWMD Governing Board

(FLGOV) — Governor Ron DeSantis announced the appointments of Jack Bispham and Seth Weightman to the Southwest Florida Water Management District Governing Board. Jack Bispham Bispham, of Myakka City, is the owner and operator of Red Bluff Plantation. Previously, he was the owner of Bayside Sod from 1988 until 2018. He has served as a Soil and Water Conservation Service …

Governor DeSantis Appoints Benjamin Butler to the SFWMD Governing Board

(FLGOV) — Governor Ron DeSantis announced the appointment of Benjamin Butler to the South Florida Water Management District Governing Board. This appointment fills the final vacancy on this nine-member board. Benjamin Butler Butler, of Lorida, is the manager of Butler Oaks Farm, a family owned dairy farm. Butler Oaks Farm has operated for more than 80 years and has received …