Europe Next in the Trade Negotiation Bullseye

Phil Hogan, the new Trade Commissioner for the European Union, was in Washington, D.C., last week and spoke about the tense relationship between the EU and the U.S. The New York Times says Hogan promises to “robustly defend” European interests as he justified the European position on trade disagreements with the U.S. over airplane subsidies, digital taxes, and the World …

Producers Invited to Georgia Cotton Commission Annual Meeting

Each year, the Georgia Cotton Commission (GCC) holds its annual meeting in conjunction with the University of Georgia Cotton Production Workshop. The combined event takes place on Jan. 29 in Tifton. GCC Executive Director Richey Seaton invites cotton producers to attend. Learn more on the Georgia Cotton Commission website. Sponsored ContentCIR Agriculture Harvester ProductsJuly 1, 2026FL Cattle Enhancement Board Wraps up …

The Basics of the Conservation Easement Program

The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) is getting ready for the 2020 version of its Agricultural Conservation Easement Program (ACEP). Matt Lohr, Chief of USDA’s Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS), explains the basics of ACEP for farmland. Lohr explains what happens now that USDA has put out interim rules for ACEP. To learn more contact your local NRCS office. Sponsored …

Florida Schools Teaching Aquaculture with UF/IFAS Help

(UF/IFAS) — Students are willing to get their hands slimy to learn about aquaculture. Youth in about 150 middle and high schools around Florida learn the aquaculture industry through the “Aquaculture in the Classroom” program, a partnership between public schools and UF/IFAS Extension. That’s more than a seven-fold increase in school participation from 2008, when the program started. Aquaculture serves …

Ag Groups Respond to Senate Passage of USMCA

Yesterday we reported that many agricultural groups were pleased with the signing of the phase-one trade agreement between the United States and China. Today, the trade news continues as the U.S. Senate has passed the United States-Mexico-Canada Agreement (USMCA) by a vote of 89-10. Many agricultural groups also cheered that news. Secretary Perdue Statement on Senate Passage of USMCA (USDA) — …

FSA Encourages Producers to Enroll Soon in ARC and PLC Programs

Producers, Beat the Rush – Call Today to Make an Appointment (USDA/FSA) — USDA’s Farm Service Agency (FSA) encourages agricultural producers to enroll now in the Agriculture Risk Loss (ARC) and Price Loss Coverage (PLC) programs. March 15, 2020 is the enrollment deadline for the 2019 crop year. Although more than 200,000 producers have enrolled to date, FSA anticipates 1.5 …

Ag Groups Respond to Phase One Trade Deal Signing

Secretary Perdue: China Phase I Deal is a Bonanza for American Agriculture U.S. Secretary Perdue issued the following statement after President Donald J. Trump signed the historic Phase One Trade Agreement between the United States and China: “This agreement is proof President Trump’s negotiating strategy is working. While it took China a long time to realize President Trump was serious, …

Commissioner Nikki Fried on USTR Commitments to Seasonal Produce Protections

(FDACS) — Florida Agriculture Commissioner Nicole “Nikki” Fried offered the following statement regarding formal commitments recently made by U.S. Trade Representative Robert Lighthizer to protect American seasonal produce growers from unfair trade practices harming the industry: “While discouraging that the USMCA and its implementing legislation lacked protections for our seasonal producers, I thank Ambassador Lighthizer for his formal commitments to address this urgent …

McConnell: Senate to Process USMCA This Week

(NAFB) — Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell suggests the Senate will vote on the U.S.-Mexico-Canada Agreement (USMCA) this week. Bloomberg News expects a vote Thursday, as the Senate committees required to sign off on the implementing legislation are doing so quickly. However, a final vote has not been confirmed. The Senate Environment and Public Works Committee approved the agreement on …