U.S. Secretary of Agriculture Sonny Perdue announced the appointment of Richard Fordyce to serve as Administrator of the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s (USDA) Farm Service Agency (FSA). In his role, Fordyce will provide leadership for FSA and its mission to support agricultural production across America through a network of over 2,100 county and 50 state offices. “As a fourth-generation farmer, …
Seeking BQA Awards Nominations
Applications for the 12th annual National Beef Quality Assurance (BQA) Awards are being accepted until June 1. The 2019 National BQA Awards recognize five winners in the areas of beef, dairy, marketing and education: The BQA Cow Calf and BQA Feedyard award recognizes producers who best demonstrate the implementation of BQA principles as part of the day-to-day activities on their respective …
SBA Deadline to Apply for Working Capital Loans for 2017 Frost and Freeze in Georgia
The U.S. Small Business Administration is reminding businesses in Georgia that working capital loans are still available to small businesses, small agricultural cooperatives, small businesses engaged in aquaculture and private nonprofit organizations located in the counties of Burke, Columbia, Richmond and Screven in Georgia as a result of the frost and freeze on March 4 – 17, 2017. “Businesses that …
NCC: Farm Legislation Passage Much Needed
The National Cotton Council (NCC) is urging the U.S. House of Representatives to approve the Agriculture and Nutrition Act of 2018 without any damaging amendments to farm policy. NCC Chairman Ron Craft, a Plains, Texas, ginner, said that legislation, recently approved by the House Agriculture Committee, includes critically important policies for cotton producers and the entire U.S. cotton industry. He …
Perdue Announces FSIS Key Leadership
U.S. Secretary of Agriculture Sonny Perdue announced the appointment of Carmen Rottenberg and Paul Kiecker to key leadership positions within the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s (USDA) Food Safety and Inspection Service (FSIS). Rottenberg has been named the Administrator of FSIS and Kiecker the Deputy Administrator. “Providing all Americans access to a safe and secure food supply is one of USDA’s …
Ag Interest Spread Cash in Cabinet Race
From farmers to horse trainers, agricultural interests put up more than $100,000 in April to support three candidates running for Florida agriculture commissioner, with U.S. Sugar Corp. accounting for $30,000, new finance reports show. Republicans Denise Grimsley of Sebring, Matt Caldwell of North Fort Myers and Baxter Troutman of Winter Haven each topped six figures in April fundraising, with Troutman’s …
Senate Ag Leaders Introduce Bipartisan Farmer Veteran Legislation
Members of the Senate Agriculture Committee are touting legislation that will help veterans in agriculture. Introduced by Committee Chair Pat Roberts and ranking Democrat Debbie Stabenow, the Farmer Veteran Opportunity Act of 2018 makes all new veterans eligible for support from the Department of Agriculture. The Senators say the bill also improves access for farmer veterans across eight existing initiatives …
Conaway Comments on Trump Challenging India Market Practices
House Agriculture Chairman Mike Conaway says the Trump administration is holding India accountable in it’s latest trade move. The administration announced earlier a Word Trade Organization counter notification on India’s market price support for wheat and rice. In applauding the effort, Conaway says India has been “funneling illegal farm subsidies into its agriculture industry for too long.” Conaway, along with …
USDA Projects Smaller Corn, Soybean Crops
The May World Agricultural Supply and Demand Estimates from the Department of Agriculture projects smaller corn and soybean crops this year. The corn crop is projected at 14.0 billion bushels, down from last year with a lower forecast area and yield. The yield projection of 174.0 bushels per acre is based on a weather-adjusted trend assuming normal planting progress and …
Texas Tech to Launch Veterinary School
Texas Tech University will launch the nation’s first new veterinary school in 40 years. The Amarillo, Texas city council recently approved an amendment to a 2016 agreement between Texas Tech and the Amarillo Economic Development Corporation to fund up to $69 million to ensure the construction of the Texas Tech University School of Veterinary Medicine. Leaders say that along with …