The U.S. dairy industry is urging Congress to quickly ratify the U.S.-Mexico-Canada Agreement (USMCA) with an outreach campaign highlighting the importance of the agreement to the success of America’s dairy farmers and manufacturers. In a letter sent to representatives of top-producing dairy states, the U.S. Dairy Export Council (USDEC), the National Milk Producers Federation (NMPF), and the International Dairy Foods Association (IDFA) …
April Beef, Pork Exports Below 2018 Levels
April exports of U.S. beef and pork were lower than in 2018, while U.S. lamb exports continued to trend higher. The numbers come from data released by USDA and compiled by the U.S. Meat Export Federation. Beef exports totaled just over 105 metric tons in April, five percent lower year-over-year, although the export value was down just slightly to $674.2 …
Animal Activist Groups Target Tyson Again Over Contract Growers
The activist group Mercy for Animals is going after Tyson Foods again, but this time it’s not about the chickens. It’s in regards to Tyson’s treatment of its contract growers. The Atlanta Journal-Constitution says Mercy for Animals is launching a four-billboard campaign in northern Georgia seeking anonymous reports from contract farmers about Tyson Foods. The relationship between growers and the …
Senator David Perdue Holds Disaster Relief Roundtable With Georgia Farmers
Joins Secretary Perdue, Governor Kemp & More Than 150 Farmers & Agriculture Industry Leaders To Discuss Next Steps U.S. Senator David Perdue (R-GA) joined U.S. Secretary of Agriculture Sonny Perdue, Governor Brian Kemp, Georgia Commissioner of Agriculture Gary Black, U.S. Representatives Sanford Bishop (D-GA-02) and Austin Scott (R-GA-08), and more than 150 farmers for a roundtable at Davis Family Farms …
FDACS Update on Florida Hemp Plan
While awaiting the Governor’s signature on the state hemp program that was passed by the Legislature earlier this spring, Florida Agriculture Department officials are moving forward with the rule development process and other plans toward implementing the program. This recent video from the Department features Florida’s Director of Cannabis Holly Bell with an update on the hemp program and the …
National Peanut Board Wins Grower Support With 93% Approval in Referendum
Peanut producers voted overwhelmingly to continue the Peanut Promotion, Research, and Information Program, administered by the National Peanut Board (NPB), in a referendum conducted by the U. S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) from April 15 through May 3, 2019. Ninety-three percent of those who voted said “yes” to continuing NPB’s research, marketing and promotion program. In order for the continuance …
Rubio Leads Florida, Georgia Colleagues in Urging USDA to Use Disaster Funds to Assist Forest Landowners and Timber Growers
U.S. Senators Marco Rubio (R-FL) and Rick Scott (R-FL) urged United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) Secretary Sonny Perdue to implement disaster relief as quickly as possible. Specifically, Rubio and Scott urged the administration to aid state governments in crafting effective forest restoration block grants. In addition to covering a large portion of debris removal, site preparation, and replanting costs, …
U.S. Dairy Rallying Coast to Coast Against Child Hunger
June is Dairy Month, so the U.S. dairy community will build on its commitment to nourish people by joining forces with Feeding America to address food instability and child hunger. One in six U.S. children faces hunger, with the problem getting worse in the summer as many don’t have access to school meal programs. The dairy community and Feeding America …
Trump Signs Disaster Relief Package
President Donald Trump on Thursday signed into law a $19.1 billion disaster-relief package that Florida officials have sought since Hurricane Michael pounded the Panhandle in October. The signing followed the U.S. House voting 354-58 on Monday to approve the measure, which passed the U.S. Senate earlier. The package is intended to assist communities in more than 40 states impacted by …
Reaction from Industry on President Signing Disaster Relief Package
American Farm Bureau Federation President Zippy Duvall “The disaster relief measure signed by President Trump today is an important lifeline for farmers and ranchers whose greatest desire is to keep producing the food, fuel and fiber that make our way of life possible. The last two years have brought historic hurricanes like Florence and Michael. We have faced wildfires, tornadoes …