China has stopped buying U.S. soybeans as a result of a trade war between the two nations. Bunge Ltd. CEO Soren Schroder told Bloomberg this week that China is instead buying soybeans from Canada and Brazil. China last month announced the planned tariff on U.S. soybeans, shifting the nation’s buying habits. The tariffs are part of an ongoing trade dispute …
Florida Farmers and Ranchers: Time is Running Out to Complete the 2017 Census of Agriculture
NASS conducting phone and in-person follow-up The U.S. Department of Agriculture’s (USDA) National Agricultural Statistics Service (NASS) is reminding Florida farmers and ranchers that the window is closing on the opportunity to participate in the 2017 Census of Agriculture. “NASS is grateful for the response from producers to date, but it is important that the others who received a Census …
Georgia Farmers and Ranchers: Time is Running Out to Complete the 2017 Census of Agriculture
NASS conducting phone and in-person follow-up The U.S. Department of Agriculture’s (USDA) National Agricultural Statistics Service (NASS) is reminding Georgia farmers and ranchers that the window is closing on the opportunity to participate in the 2017 Census of Agriculture. “NASS is grateful for the response from producers to date, but it is important that others who received a Census questionnaire …
Farm Bureau Hails Publishing of Food Disclosure Standard
The following statement regarding the proposed National Bioengineered Food Disclosure Standard may be attributed to American Farm Bureau Federation President Zippy Duvall. “The proposed National Bioengineered Food Disclosure Standard, published today by the Agriculture Department’s Agricultural Marketing Service, will give consumers a valuable resource for making informed decisions about food. Just as important, USDA is doing this the right way, …
USDA Seeks Comments on Proposed Rule for National Bioengineered Food Disclosure Standard
The U.S. Department of Agriculture invited public comment on the proposed rule to establish the National Bioengineered Food Disclosure Standard mandated by Congress in 2016. The standard will provide a uniform way to offer meaningful disclosure for consumers who want more information about their food and avoid a patchwork system of state or private labels that could be confusing for …
DUNS and SAM Requirements for Farmers Nixed
USDA’s Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS) wants financial assistance program participants to know they will no longer need a Dun and Bradstreet Universal Number System (DUNS) number, or to register in the System for Award Management (SAM). This is effectively immediately, as the Consolidated Appropriations Act of 2018, or 2018 Omnibus Bill signed back in March eliminated these requirements. DUNS …
Cotton Commodity Commission Accepting Nominations for Board Member Positions
The Georgia Agricultural Commodity Commission for cotton will accept nominations to fill two board positions. To be nominated, eligible individuals must be an active Georgia cotton producer. Any person currently serving can be reappointed or replaced by the Ex Officio committee during appointments. Nominations may be made by filling out a Nominee Information Form found at http://agr.georgia.gov/commodity-promotion-forms.aspx and sending it to: Georgia …
Lighthizer: NAFTA Deal Needed within the Next Few Weeks
U.S. Trade Representative Robert Lighthizer this week said a North American Free Trade Agreement deal must be reached “within a week or two” of the next meeting of trade negotiators. Officials from the U.S., Canada and Mexico are scheduled to meet next week again to hammer out remaining details in the renegotiation effort. Lighthizer says negotiators must reach an agreement …
Dairy MPP Enrollment Deadline a Month Away
Enrollment for the new Dairy Margin Protection Program continues through the end of this month. Dairy producers who haven’t already have until June first to review the changes to the program and sign up. Enrollment opened in early April after the Department of Agriculture announced changes to the program stemming from the Bipartisan Budget Act passed by Congress in February. …
Congress to Study Ways to Reduce Food Waste
A group of lawmakers will seek opportunities to reduce food waste by U.S. consumers. The bipartisan House food Waste Caucus will look for ways to promote food waste reduction across the food supply chain. Announced by Representatives Chellie Pingree, a Democrat from Maine, and Iowa Republican David Young, the group is expected to “shine a spotlight” on Department of Agriculture …