Auxin Herbicide Trainings Scheduled Throughout AL

(ACES) — Many producers plant cotton and soybean varieties that are resistant to dicamba herbicides. Before making these herbicide applications, producers must have state certification and annual training because of a high injury risk. Alabama Cooperative Extension System crop specialists will provide auxin herbicide trainings in 16 locations throughout the state to fulfill Xtendimax, FeXapan and Engenia label requirements. Auxin Herbicide …

As World Celebrates New Year, American Cattlemen Celebrate New Trade Deals

New Deals With Japan, European Union Go Into Effect Today (NCBA) — National Cattlemen’s Beef Association President Jennifer Houston issued the following statement regarding the new trade deals with Japan and the European Union (EU), which go into effect on New Years Day: “As the clock struck midnight and revelers around the world popped champagne and toasted the new year, …

USDA Still Taking Input on CSP Rule

USDA’s Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS) is still seeking public comments on its interim final rule for the Conservation Stewardship Program. CSP, the nation’s largest conservation program in terms of participating land, is designed to help farmers have more robust conservation activities. The program provides many benefits that include increased crop yields, decreased inputs, wildlife habitat improvements and increased resilience …

Skepticism Remains Over China Ag Purchases

(NAFB) — An Associated Press report says there are still people on both sides of the Pacific Ocean who remain skeptical about the actual amount of farm goods that China committed to buy in the “Phase One” trade agreement with the U.S. Trade Representative Robert Lighthizer said the amount will total $40 billion a year. However, President Trump says the …

Farmers Union Wants Improvements to USMCA

(NAFB) — Back on December 10, Speaker of the House Nancy Pelosi announced that the White House and her chamber of Congress had reached an agreement on the U.S.-Mexico-Canada (USMCA) Trade Deal. While the National Farmers Union was happy to see an effort to update the old North American Free Trade Agreement, the group says that effort didn’t go far …

USDA Announces Pilot Insurance Coverage for Hemp Growers

(USDA/RMA) — The U.S. Department of Agriculture’s Risk Management Agency (RMA) announced a new crop insurance option for hemp growers in select counties of 21 states in 2020.  The pilot insurance program will provide Actual Production History (APH) coverage under 508(h) Multi-Peril Crop Insurance (MPCI) for eligible producers in certain counties in Alabama, California, Colorado, Illinois, Indiana, Kansas, Kentucky, Maine, …

FDACS Grants Santa Claus Animal Movement Permit

(FDACS) — The Florida Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services’ (FDACS) Division of Animal Industry issued a Certificate of Animal Movement to Mr. and Mrs. Claus of the North Pole. The permit will allow their reindeer to enter and exit “all homes, domiciles, encampments, and premises in Florida” between the hours of 8:00 PM December 24, 2019 and 7:00 AM …