U.S. Trade Representative Robert Lighthizer and his two counterparts in the North American Free Trade Agreement (NAFTA) negotiations are back at it in Washington, D.C. This marks a quick turnaround for the Mexican Economy Secretary and Canadian Foreign Minister, who were just in Washington last week for a meeting that both countries described as “productive.” Negotiators stayed in D.C. over …
Administrative Changes Made to the Livestock Indemnity Program
Agricultural producers who have lost livestock to disease, resulting from a weather disaster, have an additional way to become eligible for a key U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) disaster assistance program. USDA Under Secretary for Farm Production and Conservation Bill Northey announced an administrative clarification nationwide to the Livestock Indemnity Program. In the event of disease, this change by USDA’s Farm …
Farmers and Ranchers: Time 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 farmers and ranchers that the window is closing on the opportunity to participate in the 2017 Census of Agriculture. To date, NASS has received more than 1.5 million completed questionnaires. But the national return rate is currently lower than at this …
2018 Omnibus Bill Nixes DUNS and SAM Requirements for Farmers
Effective immediately, Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS) financial assistance program participants will no longer need a Dun and Bradstreet Universal Number System (DUNS) number, or to register in the System for Award Management (SAM). The Consolidated Appropriations Act of 2018 (2018 Omnibus Bill) signed in March eliminated these requirements. According to U.S. Secretary of Agriculture Sonny Perdue, DUNS and SAM …
Rabobank: Challenges Ahead for U.S. Global Pork Trade
A Rabobank analysis says the proposed Chinese tariff on U.S pork imports could cost American producers $6 to $8 per head. The Rabobank Pork Quarterly Q2 report says the China-U.S. tension exemplifies what could be a challenging year ahead for the pork industry in 2018. African swine fever in Europe could be another challenge in the global pork trade. The …
Treasury Secretary Optimistic on Settling Trade Dispute
The International Monetary Fund and the World Bank both issued warnings that trade disputes could put a healthy global economic expansion in jeopardy. An Associated Press report says U.S. Treasury Secretary Steven Mnuchin showed cautious optimism over the weekend that the U.S. and China could settle their differences without a full-blown trade war. Mnuchin met recently with finance officials from …
Mexico/European Union Reach Trade Deal
The European Commission announced over the weekend that the European Union and Mexico had reached a free trade deal. A CNN Money report says the deal virtually eliminates tariffs on “practically all goods” traded between EU members and Mexico. The EU and Mexico said last year they would upgrade their trade talks to update the agreement they signed back in …
Post-Irma Ag Relief Could Come Soon
Florida farmers awaiting federal disaster relief to help cover losses from Hurricane Irma last September may learn more details this week about the highly anticipated program. The $2.36 billion Wildfires and Hurricanes Indemnity Program is expected to offer a direct-payments model that would not hold growers to traditional payment limitations and would establish a state-managed program to handle tree losses. …
Florida NRCS RCCP Sign-Up Deadline Nearing
USDA’s Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS) in Florida wants to remind eligible farmers and landowners in 11 counties that they are accepting applications until April 30 for a Regional Conservation Partnership Program (RCPP) project that enhances climate resiliency. Florida NRCS RCCP Sign-Up Deadline Nearing Sponsored ContentNuseed Carinata Covers New GroundOctober 1, 2024CIR Agriculture Harvester ProductsJuly 1, 2024TriEst Ag Group: Partners …
NRCS Alabama Announces Sign-Up for WRE Funds
NRCS Alabama Announces Sign-Up for WRE Funds USDA’s Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS) State Conservationist Ben Malone announced that eligible producers interested in the Agricultural Conservation Easement Program’s Wetlands Reserve Easements component should apply for program funds by May 31, 2018 at their local NRCS service center in Baldwin and Mobile Counties. Wetland reserve easements allow landowners to enhance and …