More of America’s grocery carts were filled with organic products in 2017. The Organic Trade Association’s 2018 Industry Survey shows consumers were buying everything from organic produce and organic ice cream to organic fresh juices and organic dried beans. U.S. organic sales totaled a new record of $49.4 billion in 2017, up 6.4 percent from the previous year. That total …
New ‘Got Jobs?’ Campaign Demonstrates Dairy’s Substantial Impact on US Economy, States and Local Communities
Most Americans know milk and other dairy products are an essential part of a healthy diet. But less well-known is dairy’s contribution to the health of the U.S. economy and the economies of every state across the country. A new storytelling campaign launched by the U.S. dairy industry aims to shine a brighter, data-driven spotlight on the positive effects of …
UF Experts: Prepare Your Farm Early for Hurricane Season
It’s the beginning of hurricane season, time for farmers in Florida to worry about potential damage from a storm. Every farm and ranch in Florida must have an emergency plan in case of a hurricane, said a University of Florida Institute of Food and Agricultural Sciences Extension director. “The main thing is that farmers need to be prepared to be self-sufficient …
House Members Call for End to Thailand’s Ban on U.S. Pork
Members of the U.S. House of Representatives sent a letter to Virachai Plasai, ambassador of the Kingdom of Thailand to the United States, calling for the removal of restrictions on imports of U.S. farm products, including U.S. pork. The bipartisan letter – signed by 44 members and sponsored by Representatives David Young, R-IA, and Ron Kind, D-WI – calls for the …
Farm Income, Credit, Weakening
Farm income and credit conditions continued to weaken in the first quarter of 2018, but at a slower pace than in previous quarters. According to the Tenth District Survey of Agricultural Credit Conditions, compiled by the Kansas City Federal Reserve Bank, reduced farm income contributed to intensifying cash-flow concerns and tightening lending standards. Cash-flow shortages continued to limit the availability …
China Drops Investigations, Top Market for Sorghum Reopens
China has dropped its anti-dumping and countervailing duty investigations into U.S. sorghum. National Sorghum Producers Chairman Don Bloss says NSP is “gratified” by the announcement and quick result. China has determined that the investigations do not serve public interest. Bloss says that NSP demonstrated that “we were helping, not injuring,” Chinese consumers and farmers. The U.S. Grains Council also applauded …
Syngenta Settlement Details Announced
Syngenta and plaintiffs in a lawsuit against the company have announced a $1.51 billion settlement to resolve class actions and individual cases regarding Agrisure Viptera. The cases allege that Syngenta sold its “Agrisure Viptera” and “Agrisure Duracade” corn seeds before it should have because new insect-resistant genetic traits in those seeds had not yet received import approval in China. The …
Missouri Cattlemen’s Fake Meat Bill Passes
A Missouri omnibus agriculture bill contacting provisions against so-called fake meat has passed the state legislature. The language prohibits misrepresenting a product as meat that was not derived from harvested livestock. The Missouri House passed the bill 125-22 following previous passage in the Missouri Senate. Missouri became the first state to address the issue with legislation, sending a signal to …
Perdue, Conaway, and Groups Comment on Farm Bill Vote
Perdue on Farm Bill Vote in House of Representatives U.S. Secretary of Agriculture Sonny Perdue issued the following statement regarding the initial vote on the 2018 Farm Bill in the U.S. House of Representatives: “A Farm Bill is necessary to provide our farmers, ranchers, foresters, and producers with the stability and predictability they need. Our farmers feed the people of …
Dairy Groups Applaud Defeat of Raw Milk Amendment to 2018 Farm Bill
Overwhelming opposition from a strong coalition of dairy farmers, processors, consumer groups, food safety advocates, federal and state public health regulators, the medical community, and other key stakeholders led to the defeat today of an amendment to the 2018 House Farm Bill that would have allowed the interstate sale of unpasteurized milk. Amendment 30, offered by Rep. Thomas Massie (R-KY), …