New polling shows that voters across three Midwestern states are disappointed with Trump Administration decisions regarding biofuels. Released by the National Biodiesel Board this week, a survey of voters in Iowa, Missouri and Minnesota overwhelmingly say they support federal policies to encourage growth in biodiesel and renewable fuels use. Their support cut across party lines, with more than two-thirds of …
Last Chance to Complete the 2017 Census of Agriculture
Less than two weeks to submit the questionnaire by mail The U.S. Department of Agriculture’s (USDA) National Agricultural Statistics Service (NASS) is wrapping up data collection for the 2017 Census of Agriculture. To stay on track for data release in February 2019, the deadline for submitting the paper questionnaire is June 15, 2018. Farmers and ranchers who have not responded …
Deadline Extended for Margin Protection Program for Dairy
Agriculture Secretary Sonny Perdue extended the deadline for producers to sign up for the Farm Service Agency’s Margin Protection Program (MPP) – Dairy by one week. The program provides a much needed safety net for dairy producers, and signup will continue until June 8 for them to elect coverage. All dairy operations must make new coverage elections for 2018, even …
Florida Forest Service Announces Long Leaf Pine Program for Landowners
The Florida Forest Service announced that the Longleaf Pine Landowner Incentive Program is now accepting applications from eligible, non-industrial private forest landowners. Applications will be accepted now through Friday, July 13, 2018. The goal of the program is to increase the acreage of healthy Longleaf pine ecosystems in Florida by helping non-industrial private forest landowners make the long-term investment required to …
Conserving Working Lands and Wetlands Through ACEP
The U.S. Department of Agriculture’s Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS) wants to remind landowners that NRCS can provide financial and technical assistance to conserve working lands and wetlands through its Agricultural Conservation Easement Program (ACEP). There are two components to this program, Agricultural Land Easements and Wetland Reserve Easements. NRCS Acting Chief Leonard Jordan says ACEP offers a lot of opportunities. Conserving Working Lands and …
Pork Producers Respond to Mexican Retaliation
Mexico levied punitive tariffs – 10 percent effective today (June 5, 2018), escalating to 20 percent on July 5 – on unprocessed pork (not including variety meats) in retaliation for tariffs on its metal exports to the United States. Mexico’s decision follows similar retaliation in early April by China, which imposed additional 25 percent tariffs on U.S. pork, reducing live …
FDACS Begins Efforts to Eradicate Oriental Fruit Fly
The Florida Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services (FDACS) has positively identified the presence of three Oriental fruit flies, Bactrocera dorsalis, in south Miami-Dade County. The initial fly was discovered during routine trapping, and additional flies were discovered during expanded trapping activities. The department, along with the U.S. Department of Agriculture, monitors more than 56,000 fruit fly traps statewide as an …
Georgia Governor Signs Agribusiness Legislation into Law
With a long list of legislation impacting agribusiness, Georgia Governor Deal never hesitated in signing every one of them. We are grateful for the legislators and Governor Deal for their support of our state’s ag and forestry interests. Here’s the quick summary of new ag laws starting July 1, 2018: GATE: Much needed changes to the GATE program are included in HB …
China Says U.S. Tariffs Will Negate Current Trade Talks
China says any tariffs implemented on the nation by the United States will dampen the ongoing trade talks between the two. The Chinese government in a statement said: “All economic and trade outcomes of the talks will not take effect if the U.S. side imposes any trade sanctions including raising tariffs,” according to Politico. China stressed that the outcome of …
Bayer-Monsanto Deal to Close This Week
Bayer announced it will complete its acquisition of Monsanto on June 7. The closure of the acquisition will follow the receipt of all required approvals from regulatory authorities, according to a company news release. The closure comes two years after Bayer announced the intention to acquire Monsanto. As part of the $63 billion agreement, Bayer will remain the company name, …