Destin, FL (USPOULTRY) – During the 2019 National Safety Conference for the Poultry Industry in Destin, Florida, a record 230 chicken and turkey facilities received safety awards by the Joint Industry Safety and Health Council. The companies were honored in recognition of their outstanding performance through the implementation of innovative and effective employee safety and health programs. “We received the …
Perdue Statement on Meeting with Guatemalan Ministers
Washington, D.C. (USDA) – U.S. Secretary of Agriculture Sonny Perdue met with a host of Ministers from Guatemala to discuss implementation of the recently signed agreement between the United States and Guatemala to improve H-2A visa program operations. Following the meeting, Secretary Perdue issued the following statement: “America’s farmers and ranchers need a legal and reliable agricultural workforce, and we …
Department of Transportation Publishes Hours of Service Proposal
The U.S. Department of Transportation’s Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA) today published a notice of proposed rulemaking (NPRM) on changes to hours of service (HOS) rules. The objective is to increase safety on America’s roadways by updating existing regulations for commercial motor vehicle (CMV) drivers. “This proposed rule seeks to enhance safety by giving America’s commercial drivers more flexibility …
Cotton Board Recommends $86 Million Budget and Elects Chairman
Texas cotton producer Jeff Posey elected Cotton Board chairman and new officers elected During its annual meeting in Durham, North Carolina, the Cotton Board reviewed and voted to recommend Cotton Incorporated’s proposed 2020 budget of $86 million to the Secretary of Agriculture. This is a $4 million increase from the 2019 budget. The 2020 Cotton Incorporated plan and budget remains …
AEM Releases July Ag Equipment Sales Numbers
(NAFB) — July 2019 saw decreases in U.S. sales of combines and four-wheel-drive tractors as well as total U.S. two-wheel-drive tractor sales compared to July of last year. Monthly data from the Association of Equipment Manufacturers (AEM) shows U.S. four-wheel-drive tractor sales decreased 4.7 percent in July, compared to last year. U.S. July combine sales decreased 25.9 percent. And, total …
Trump Delays Tariff Hike Until December
(NAFB) —The Trump administration will delay part of a planned tariff increase on China until December. The U.S. Trade Representative’s office made the announcement Tuesday the administration would not implement the planned tariffs. Instead, the tariffs will be implemented December 15, 2019. USTR Robert Lighthizer says certain products are even being removed from the tariff list based on health, safety, …
UF/IFAS Plant Geneticist Named Fellow of American Society for Horticultural Science
BALM, Fla. (UF/IFAS) — If you savor the sights of caladium, gerbera and other ornamental plants, you can thank Zhanao Deng for developing better varieties. In his three-decade career, Deng beams with pride over new types of caladium and gerbera he’s bred that are more resistant to diseases. He’s also happy with his lantana varieties, which are genetically sterilized and …
Perilla Mint: Continue to Scout Through the Fall
AUBURN UNIVERSITY, Ala. (ACES) – In some areas of the state, the hot, dry weather may have limited the availability of some forages. These conditions often tempt livestock to consume anything that is green. Some poisonous plants have become masters at surviving these conditions. Perilla mint is one of the most dangerous. Characteristics An escaped ornamental, the leaves of perilla …
Farmers Prevented From Planting Crops on More Than 19 Million Acres
Agricultural producers reported they were not able to plant crops on more than 19.4 million acres in 2019, according to a new report released by the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA). This marks the most prevented plant acres reported since USDA’s Farm Service Agency (FSA) began releasing the report in 2007 and 17.49 million acres more than reported at this time …
Plan to Use Farm Bill Funding to Support Animal Disease Prevention and Management
(USDA/APHIS) — The U.S. Department of Agriculture’s (USDA) Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service (APHIS) is announcing initial plans to carry out new animal health activities using resources provided by the 2018 Farm Bill. Section 12101 of the 2018 Farm Bill established a three-part program to comprehensively support animal disease prevention and management. The bill included funding to create two …