(USDA/ARS) — USDA Red, the world’s first true red spinach variety has been developed and released by the Agricultural Research Service. Spinach has always been known as a green leafy vegetable. There are leafy vegetables often called red spinach. But these are actually red-leaf amaranths (Amaranthus spp.) or other plants such as Red Goosefoot (Blitum rubrum), not true spinach (Spinacia …
Beijing Considers Axing Extra Tariffs on U.S. Ag Products to Boost Imports
(NAFB) — The head of a government-sponsored trade association in China says Beijing could remove extra tariffs on U.S. farm goods to smooth the way for importers to potentially buy up to $50 billion in products. A Reuters article says Beijing would make that move instead of directing importers to purchase specific amounts of goods. President Donald Trump said earlier …
Farm Bankruptcies up 24 Percent Since Trade War Start
(NAFB) — Farm bankruptcies are at the highest level seen since 2011. Data compiled by the American Farm Bureau Federation shows farm bankruptcies surged 24 percent since the trade war with China began. For the 12-month period ending September 2019, Chapter 12 farm bankruptcies totaled 580 filings, the highest level since 676 filings in 2011. AFBF Chief Economist John Newton …
BQA Campaign Seeks Greater Understanding of Industry Efforts
Strengthening the link between beef industry, consumers (NCBA) – About 85 percent of U.S. beef today comes from Beef Quality Assurance (BQA)-certified farmers or ranchers. But do American consumers know that? Just as important, do they know what BQA is – and what it stands for? Those are the kinds of questions a new Beef Checkoff-funded campaign from the National …
Georgia Counties Designated as Primary Natural Disaster Areas
Emergency Support to Producers in Surrounding Counties/Border States Also Available (USDA/FSA) — Agriculture Secretary Sonny Perdue designated 24 Georgia counties as primary natural disaster areas. Producers who suffered losses due to recent drought may be eligible for U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) Farm Service Agency (FSA) emergency loans. The Georgia counties with the primary natural disaster designation include Banks, Bartow, Carroll, …
Commissioner Fried Announces $500,000 Food Recovery Grant Legislation
(FDACS) — Agriculture Commissioner Nicole “Nikki” Fried toured Pero Family Farms, a fifth-generation family farm and sustainable producer of fresh seasonal produce such as peppers, tomatoes, and cucumbers, some of Florida’s leading seasonal crops. Fried was joined by Pero Family Farms CEO Peter Pero and Executive Vice President Frank Pero, Feeding South Florida CEO Paco Vélez, Boynton Beach City Commissioner Ty Penserga, and representatives of State Senator Lori Berman, State Representatives David …
NCBA Statement on Beef Labeling Practices
(NCBA) — National Cattlemen’s Beef Association (NCBA) Vice President, Government Affairs, Ethan Lane, released the following statement in response to a letter from U.S. Sens. John Thune (S.D.) and Mike Rounds (S.D.) regarding beef labeling practices: “NCBA understands that the practices alleged in the letter from Senator Rounds and Senator Thune are a concern to cattle producers and we share …
Judge Ready to Wade into Water War
(NSF) — Albuquerque is a long way from Apalachicola. But when a federal judge in the New Mexico city hears arguments next week in a long-running water war between Florida and Georgia, the small Panhandle community will be at the center of the case. Senior U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals Judge Paul J. Kelly, appointed as a special master by …
NCBA Applauds Introduction of Hours of Service Legislation
(NCBA) — The National Cattlemen’s Beef Association (NCBA) applauded the introduction of bipartisan legislation by U.S. Reps. Angie Craig (D – 2nd Dist., Minn.) and Lloyd Smucker (R – 11th Dist., Penn.) that would provide flexible and common-sense relief from Hours of Service (HOS) rules for agricultural haulers. The Responsible & Efficient Agriculture Destination (TREAD) Act would ensure that the …
Organic Program One of Many Excellent Choices for Producers
The House Agriculture Committee’s Biotechnology, Horticulture, and Research Subcommittee held a hearing to review the state of Organic Agriculture from the perspective of producers. After the hearing, Subcommittee Ranking Member Neal Dunn (FL-2) and Committee Ranking Member K. Michael Conaway (TX-11) released the following remarks: “At today’s hearing, we heard directly from farmers who have chosen to use the organic …