The Department of Agriculture is celebrating May as World Trade Month. In doing so, the department is highlighting its success and commitment to expanding trade of agricultural exports. Agriculture Secretary Sonny Perdue says he is “proud of the progress we make each day” at USDA regarding trade. The celebration comes as the U.S., however, is amid a trade dispute with …
Perdue Announces Additional Hurricane and Wildfire Recovery Details
(Washington, D.C., May 1, 2018) – Under the direction of President Donald J. Trump, U.S. Secretary of Agriculture Sonny Perdue today announced new details on eligibility for a new U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) disaster program, 2017 Wildfires and Hurricanes Indemnity Program (2017 WHIP). In total, USDA’s Farm Service Agency (FSA) will deploy up to $2.36 billion that Congress appropriated through the …
NAFTA Negotiations Continue Next Week
Negotiations for revamping the North American Free Trade Agreement (NAFTA) will continue next week as all sides remain hopeful to reach a deal this month. Top-level talks, according to reports, will continue after a U.S. trade delegation returns from China. U.S. officials and negotiators from Canada and Mexico have been eying an early May finish line, and in mid-April, Vice …
New TPP Moving Forward
The Trans-Pacific Partnership (TPP) continues to move forward without the United States. Mexico last week ratified the new TPP agreement, now called the Comprehensive and Progressive Agreement for Trans-Pacific Partnership. Mexico’s Senate voted 73-24 to approve the agreement which will go into effect when six of the 11 nations approve the deal. President Trump earlier this month directed U.S. Trade …
Growth Energy Comments on EPA CVR Waiver
The Environmental Protection Agency has granted an undisclosed waiver to CVR, a refinery owned by Carl Icahn, allowing the company to bypass its biofuel obligations under the Renewable Fuel Standard. The move, which is one of several, has angered the ethanol industry. Growth Energy CEO Emily Skor points out the political ties between the Trump Administration and Icahn, as “Icahn …
Biodiesel Ranks First Among Fleets for Alt Fuel Use
A survey of fleet vehicle providers has found that biodiesel is now the most popular alternative fuel option on the market, followed by E85. The National Biodiesel Board says the study conducted by the Association for the Work Truck Industry shows that the nation’s top fleets call biodiesel the number one choice for greening fleet operations. The 2018 Fleet Purchasing …
Commissioner Gary W. Black Commends the 2018-2019 Georgia FFA State Officer Team
Georgia Agriculture Commissioner Gary W. Black would like to congratulate the 2018-2019 Georgia State FFA Officer Team that was elected Saturday, April 28 by delegates from over 300 FFA chapters. The eight member officer team will serve throughout the next year as advocates of agricultural education and the Georgia FFA Association. “These young men and women have demonstrated significant leadership …
Georgia Peanut Commission Referendum Passes by 94 Percent – Highest Ever
The Georgia Peanut Commission (GPC) 2018 referendum was held March 16-April 16 and received reaffirmation with a vote of 94.02 percent, the highest the commission has received in its nearly 57-year existence. Armond Morris, peanut farmer from Tifton, Georgia, and GPC chairman, is proud to know his fellow peanut farmers have confidence in the commission and its activities. “I am …
Syngenta Says European Decision Takes Ag In The Wrong Direction
The decision by European Union member states to back the European Commission’s proposal on further restricting the use of neonicotinoids disappointed Syngenta, but it wasn’t unexpected. The company says that wasn’t the right decision for the future of agriculture or the environment in Europe. Syngenta says agriculture needs all the options it has to help farmers ensure that consumers have …
American Veterinary Association Pleased With House Farm Bill
The American Veterinary Medical Association is pleased with the animal health priorities in the House version of the 2018 Farm Bill. Among the highlights, the AVMA is pleased with the new authorizations and funding for a National Animal Disease Preparedness and Response Program, The National Animal Health Laboratory Network, and a livestock vaccine bank with immediate attention to foot-and-mouth disease. …