Farmers Optimistic as China Buys U.S. Soybeans

Alabama soybean farmers are optimistic in light of China’s Dec. 12 purchase of U.S. soybeans, the nation’s first substantial U.S. agricultural purchase following a trade truce struck earlier this month. China’s haul of over 1.5 million tons of soybeans is valued at more than $500 million. In 2017, China bought 60 percent of U.S. soybeans — worth $12.25 billion — …

USDA Launches New Program to Create High-Speed Internet e-Connectivity in Rural America

Agriculture Secretary Sonny Perdue announced that the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) is offering up to $600 million in loans and grants to help build broadband infrastructure in rural America. Telecommunications companies, rural electric cooperatives and utilities, internet service providers and municipalities may apply for funding through USDA’s new ReConnect Program to connect rural areas that currently have insufficient …

Farm Bureau Board Endorses USMCA Agreement

The board of directors of the American Farm Bureau Federation recommended swift passage of the U.S.-Mexico-Canada Agreement (USMCA). Exports to Canada and Mexico under USMCA’s predecessor, the North American Free Trade Agreement, increased from $8.9 billion to $39 billion yearly. The USMCA would retain those gains while adding improvements in terms of trade for poultry, eggs, dairy and wine. AFBF, …

Groups Respond to House Passage of Farm Bill

Statement of Secretary Perdue U.S. Secretary of Agriculture Sonny Perdue hailed the passage of the 2019 Farm Bill.  The House of Representatives approved the conference report on the bill this afternoon, following the Senate’s passage. Perdue issued the following statement: “The passage of the 2019 Farm Bill is good news because it provides a strong safety net for farmers and …

Restoring a Species: Northern Bobwhite Quail

Sportsmen were alarmed, landowners worried as they watched the northern bobwhite population plummet at the turn of the century. In the last 50 years, annual populations are down 85 percent in the United States. Habitat loss, degradation and fragmentation on a continental scale has silenced its iconic call across rural America. In Florida, a former private hunting plantation is leading the …

Record U.S. Beef Exports; Pork Exports Slightly Lower

U.S. beef exports remained on a record-shattering value pace in October, according to data released by the U.S. Department of Agriculture and compiled by the U.S. Meat Export Federation (USMEF). October pork exports trended seasonally higher compared to recent months, but were still below the results posted in October 2017. October beef exports totaled 117,800 metric tons, up 6 percent …

Conference Panel Approves 2018 Farm Bill

Pork producers – and all livestock farmers – are poised for a significant victory after passage by a Senate-House conference committee of a 2018 Farm Bill that includes mandatory funding for animal disease prevention and preparedness. The National Pork Producers Council now is urging lawmakers in both chambers of Congress to approve the new five-year agricultural blueprint. NPPC has been …

EPA and Army Propose New ‘Waters of the United States’ Definition

The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) and the Department of the Army (Army) are proposing a clear, understandable and implementable definition of “waters of the United States” that clarifies federal authority under the Clean Water Act. Unlike the Obama administration’s 2015 definition of “waters of the United States,” today’s proposal contains a straightforward definition that would result in significant cost …

NCBA to Congress: Vote “Yes” to Get 2018 Farm Bill Across the Finish Line

National Cattlemen’s Beef Association (NCBA) President Kevin Kester issued the following statement in response to the release of the 2018 Farm Bill conference report:  “The release of the Farm Bill conference report is encouraging news for farmers and ranchers across the country. Now it is time for Congress to get the 2018 Farm Bill across the finish line. In these uncertain …