The United States still demands a dairy fix in the North American Free Trade Agreement, but Canada still wants to protect its dairy industry. While Canada may be ready to give some concessions on dairy market access, Prime Minister Justin Trudeau and his allies have strong political motivations to stand firm. A trade lawyer told Politico this week that much …
U.S. Ag Coalition Sponsors U.S.-Cuba Business Meetings
A coalition of agriculture groups plan a U.S.-Cuba ag business conference in November. The U.S.-Cuba Agriculture Business Conference, according to organizers, comes at a time when U.S. agriculture needs to expand into new markets. Cuba continues to depend on imports for 80 percent of its food supply, and the coalition says Congress is poised in the Farm Bill to allow …
NCGA Names Doggett as CEO
The National Corn Growers Association (NCGA) announced Jon Doggett as the organization next CEO, taking the place of Chris Novak. Doggett is the fifth CEO in the organization’s 61-year history. The change is effective immediately. He has served as interim CEO since August first when Novak left for CropLife America. Doggett has also served as executive vice president of the …
Growth Energy Launches Bus Tour Promoting E15
The summer ban on E15 sales in select areas ended over the weekend as Growth Energy launched a campaign to promote E15 and higher blended fuels. As part of their campaign, Growth Energy is launching a bus tour to rally support for quick action on the president’s promise to unleash E15 ethanol blends. Over the next few months, the bus …
Farm Bureau Details Trade, Tariff Impacts on Agriculture
For the growth and renewed prosperity of agriculture, particularly with farm income on a downward slope, current trading relationships must be preserved and new opportunities for agricultural trade must be secured, the American Farm Bureau Federation said in a recent statement to the Senate Agriculture Committee. “Farm Bureau urges our trade officials to engage in discussions with our trade partners …
Garth Brooks Announces Private Concert for the National FFA Organization
Exclusive Show for the 91st National FFA Convention & Expo Garth Brooks, the reigning Country Music Association Entertainer of the Year, will take the stage in Indianapolis for a private show at this year’s 91st National FFA Convention & Expo. The premier youth leadership organization dedicated to preparing members for leadership and careers in the science, business and technology of agriculture, the National FFA …
USDA Partners to Improve Water and Wastewater Infrastructure for Rural Americans
Assistant to the Secretary for Rural Development Anne Hazlett announced that USDA is investing $392 million (PDF, 238 KB) to help rebuild and improve rural water and wastewater infrastructure in 42 states. “Put simply, modern and reliable water infrastructure is foundational to quality of life and economic development,” Hazlett said. “USDA’s partnerships with rural communities underscore Agriculture Secretary Sonny Perdue’s commitment to rural …
Operating Committee Approves FY19 Plan of Work
The Cattlemen’s Beef Promotion and Research Board will invest about $40.5 million into programs of beef promotion, research, consumer information, industry information, foreign marketing and producer communications during fiscal 2019, subject to USDA approval. In action at the end of its September 11-12 meeting in Denver, the Operating Committee approved checkoff funding for a total of 14 “Authorization Requests” – …
Senators Grill Administration Officials at Trade Hearing
Ag state senators peppered Trump Administration officials at USDA and the Office of the Trade Representative with questions regarding trade policy. The Thursday hearing focused on the Trump Administration’s policies and the resulting harm to American farmers from retaliatory tariffs. Politico says both Republicans and Democrats gave an earful to USDA chief economist Robert Johansson, Undersecretary for Trade and Foreign …
Trump: the U.S. Under “No Pressure” to Make Deal with China
President Donald Trump pushed back at the Wall Street Journal, which ran an article saying the U.S. was under pressure to make a deal with China. The Hill Dot Com says Treasury Secretary Steven Mnuchin recently invited Chinese officials to come to Washington for negotiations, which Beijing accepted. The Wall Street Journal reported that the invite came about because of …