In late July, the Commodity Commission Ex-Officio Committee met to make appointments to the Georgia Cotton Commission (GCC) board of directors. GCC Vice Chairman Matt Coley, a cotton and peanut farmer from Vienna; and director Steven Meeks, a cotton, peanut, tobacco and timber producer from Screven, were both reappointed to another three-year term on the Commission’s board of directors. Coley …
Study Confirms ASF Survives in Animal Feed
(NAFB) — Researchers at Kansas State University say African swine fever (ASF) can survive in feed grains, prompting greater concerns of the disease spreading. The research confirms the virus can survive a simulated 30-day transoceanic voyage in contaminated plant-based feed and ingredients. Detailed analysis shows the half-life of African swine fever in feed ranges from 9.6 to 14.2 days after …
Tester Introduces Mental Health Bill for Farmers
(NAFB) — A bill introduced by Senator John Tester seeks to bring mental health resources and awareness to rural communities. The Montana Democrat this week introduced the Seeding Rural Resilience Act to help reduce stress and suicides in rural America. While Tester says, “there is no silver bullet,” he says the bill “provides better tools and resources for folks in …
OCM Smear Campaign Draws Response from NCBA CEO
by Colin Woodall, NCBA CEO (NCBA-Sept. 26, 2019) — The activist-funded Organization for Competitive Markets (OCM) has again resorted to half-truths and smear tactics to pit beef producers against one another. It’s clear that their allies at the Humane Society of the United States (HSUS) have taught the staff some new tricks to help tear the beef industry apart from …
Commissioner Nikki Fried: New Energy Efficiency Conversation Needed
Tallahassee, FL (FDACS-Sept. 26, 2019) — Last week, the Office of Energy in the Florida Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services (FDACS) filed a brief required by the Florida Energy Efficiency and Conservation Act (FEECA). Since 1980, FEECA has directed Florida utility companies to develop meaningful energy efficiency and conservation measures. Every five years, most major utilities are required to …
Impeachment Inquiry Could Dampen Chances of USMCA
(NAFB) — House Democrats seeking to impeach President Donald Trump spells trouble for the U.S.-Mexico-Canada agreement (USMCA). White House officials claim the effort has “destroyed any chances of legislative progress.” Meanwhile, Iowa Republican Senator Chuck Grassley says if Democrats in the House use impeachment proceedings as a basis to not act on policy, the effort will halt progress on USMCA. …
U.S. Pork Producers Seeking Expanded Export Opportunities
WASHINGTON, D.C. (NPPC-Sept. 26, 2019) — The U.S. pork industry ships more product to the 20 countries covered by free-trade agreements than we do the rest of the world combined. Therefore, expanding export opportunities through trade agreements remains a top priority for U.S. pork producers, National Pork Producers Council (NPPC) Director of International Affairs Maria Zieba said today at a …
Facts of the Flow: Lake Okeechobee, 2019 Year-to-Date
(SFWMD) — Here is the latest update on inflows into Lake Okeechobee for the calendar year to date. This data is provided by SFWMD’s DBHYDRO database. There has been no back-pumping into Lake Okeechobee from the Everglades Agricultural Area this year. Source: South Florida Water Management District Sponsored ContentNuseed Carinata Covers New GroundAugust 29, 2024CIR Agriculture Harvester ProductsJuly 1, 2024TriEst …
Agriculture Groups Respond to Japan Trade Deal
Today (September 25, 2019), President Trump and Japanese Prime Minister Abe signed a trade agreement that many in agriculture had been asking for. Various agriculture commodity groups welcomed the news. Secretary Perdue Statement on Signing of US-Japan Trade Agreement Washington, D.C. (USDA-September 25, 2019) – U.S. Secretary of Agriculture Sonny Perdue issued the following statement regarding the signing of the …
NPPC Officers Join President Trump for Japan Trade Pact Signing Ceremony
WASHINGTON, D.C. (NPPC-Sept. 25, 2019) — President Trump and Japanese Prime Minster Abe signed a trade agreement that will once again allow U.S. pork producers to compete on a level playing field in Japan. NPPC President David Herring and President-Elect Howard “A.V.” Roth joined President Trump for the signing of the agreement in New York during the United Nations General …