(FDACS) — The U.S. House passed the U.S.-Mexico-Canada Trade Agreement (USMCA). In response, Florida Agriculture Commissioner Nicole “Nikki” Fried offered the following statement: “It is deeply disappointing that seasonal protections were not included in this USMCA implementing legislation. For nearly a year, I have called repeatedly for effective, timely relief from unfair trade practices for America’s seasonal produce growers in the USMCA. …
Nearly 170,000 Giant African Land Snails Eradicated in Eight Years
(FDACS) — For more than eight years, the Florida Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services (FDACS) and the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) have been working cooperatively to eradicate the giant African land snail from Miami-Dade and Broward Counties. During that time, over 168,500 snails have been collected in 32 core areas of Miami-Dade County, and in one area of …
Mapping Soils in the Florida Everglades
During the South Florida sweltering heat this past August, USDA Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS) Soil Scientists Craig Prink and Martin Figueroa were out collecting soil samples in the Everglades in an effort to build a map that helps land managers understand resource concerns affecting the ecosystem, water quality and wildlife. Martin said, “This is the first digital soil map developed in Florida, on …
Farmers Launch U.S. Hemp Growers Association
(NAFB) — The formation of the new U.S. Hemp Growers Association was announced in Indianapolis. The brand-new association will focus on things like educational efforts and market development resources, research, and networking opportunities. A USHGA release says the organization will provide a unified voice for farmers to actively engage in critically important advocacy efforts. More than 300 members of the …
USMCA Nearing House Vote
(NAFB) — Lawmakers in the House of Representatives are on track to pass the U.S.-Mexico-Canada Agreement (USMCA) this week. The House Ways and Means Committee began the process Tuesday, considering the implementing bill in a markup hearing. During the hearing, Committee Chairman Richard Neal said during his opening statement, which included no mention of agriculture, that the changes “set a …
House Approves Spending Package for Agriculture
(NAFB) — The House of Representatives Tuesday advanced a spending package that will extend the biodiesel tax credit and offer additional disaster aid to farmers. The American Soybean Association says the biodiesel tax credit will “expand markets for soybean growers.” The tax credit expansion is part of a tax package amendment included in a funding bill for the Department of …
NPPC Applauds U.S. House Passage of Ag Inspectors Funding
(NPPC) — The U.S. House of Representatives approved an additional $19.6 million in funding for more agricultural inspectors at land, air and sea ports to prevent African swine fever (ASF) and other foreign animal diseases (FAD) from entering the United States. This funding, included in the fiscal year 2020 Department of Homeland Security appropriations bill, is a top priority for …
USDA Funds Conservation Innovation Across the Country
(USDA/NRCS) — USDA’s Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS) is awarding about $12.5 million in grants to support the development of innovative systems and technologies for private lands conservation. The funding is provided through the Conservation Innovation Grants (CIG) program, which is funding the future of agriculture and conservation through grants to organizations and universities that are developing the next generation …
USDA Invites Input on EQIP Rule
The U.S. Department of Agriculture’s (USDA) Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS) is seeking public comments on its interim rule for the Environmental Quality Incentives Program (EQIP). The rule, which is now available on the Federal Register, will take effect upon publication and includes changes to the program prescribed by the 2018 Farm Bill. In a release, NRCS Chief Matthew Lohr said “The …
Farm Credit Administration: Expect Low Crop Prices in 2020
(NAFB) — A quarterly report to the Farm Credit Administration last week suggests commodity prices will mostly remain low next year. The report cites large global supplies of crops in storage, saying that will limit attractive price opportunities for U.S. farmers. For the next three years, soybean prices are projected at roughly $8.50 a bushel, with corn at $3.70 a …