(USDA) — U.S. Secretary of Agriculture Sonny Perdue announced the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) will make available $800 million to agricultural producers in Alabama, Florida and Georgia affected by hurricanes Michael and Florence. The state block grants are part of a broader $3 billion package to help producers recover from 2018 and 2019 natural disasters, which includes the Wildfire …
Commissioner Nikki Fried Announces USDA Disaster Relief for Florida
(FDACS) — Agriculture Commissioner Nicole “Nikki” Fried announced that the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) has allocated $380.7 million in federal block grant funding for Florida farmers devastated by Hurricane Michael, including direct relief for timber producers. The Florida Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services will administer the USDA block grants alongside the Florida Division of Emergency Management. Through consistent engagement with USDA officials, Florida …
China, U.S., Strike Tariff Rollback Preliminary Deal
(NAFB) — The U.S. and China will roll back tariffs if they strike a preliminary deal, a move requested by China before signing a phase one trade agreement. The signing of the agreement may be now delayed until next month, but the two sides continue to wrap up the talks, according to the South China Morning Post. A spokesperson for …
NPPC Launches ‘Pork O’ Clock’ Campaign Highlighting Importance of USMCA
(NPPC) — The National Pork Producers Council (NPPC) launched a dynamic new campaign, “It’s Pork O’ Clock Somewhere,” to highlight the importance and benefits of the U.S.-Mexico-Canada (USMCA) trade agreement. The campaign focuses on pork and the many ways it’s enjoyed across North America. “Ratification of USMCA is the top priority for U.S. pork producers and there is no better way to …
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 …
Enrollment for CSP Grassland Conservation Initiative Ends Friday
USDA’s Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS) wants to remind landowners the extended deadline to enroll in the Conservation Stewardship Program (CSP) Grassland Conservation Initiative is this Friday, November 8, 2019. The program is available to producers with base acreage that has been in grass or grasslands over a nine-year period, rather than planted with commodity crops. Eligible producers may have received a …
China Urges Trump to Lift Tariffs
(NAFB) — China wants the United States to commit to lifting tariffs to reach a phase one trade agreement. The South China Morning Post reports Beijing needs America to be more responsive to its concerns, if it wants Chinese President Xi Jinping to visit the U.S. to sign the deal. There’s been no firm commitment by the U.S. to delay …