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 …

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), …