Jeff Flake, Senate Republican from Arizona, has lifted his hold on the nomination of Gregg Doud as chief agriculture negotiator. Flake had placed his hold on the President Trump nominee because he was upset about a Trump proposal in the North American Free Trade Agreement negotiations. The proposal would have allowed Florida tomato producers to use U.S. trade remedy laws …
Ag Lending and Interest Expense Increasing for Farmers
Farm lending at commercial banks increased during the fourth quarter of last year. Demand for all types of loans, except for farm machinery and livestock, increased significantly over 2016. Operating expenses continue to make up the majority of loan originations. Loans for livestock made up over a quarter of all new non-real estate loans. The total value of operating and …
EPA Administrator Pruitt Talks Environmental Outcomes Across the State of Florida
TALLAHASSEE, FLA – Today, U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) Administrator Scott Pruitt traveled across Florida and met with stakeholders to discuss environmental goals and protections. “The Sunshine State is a vital provider of American agriculture, energy and manufacturing, and it’s essential we hear directly from rural Floridians,” said EPA Administrator Scott Pruitt. “Today’s dialogue is particularly important as we focus …
Third Democrat Emerges for Agriculture Commissioner
The race to replace term-limited Agriculture Commissioner Adam Putnam continues to get more crowded. Tallahassee Democrat Thomas Clayton White Jr. opened a campaign account this week to run in November for the Cabinet post, becoming the third Democrat — and sixth overall candidate — to take the step, according to the state Division of Elections website. White’s filing came after …
Georgia Peanut Commission Research Report Day set for Feb. 7
The Georgia Peanut Commission will hold the annual Research Report Day, Feb. 7, 2018, beginning at 9:00 a.m. at the National Environmentally Sound Production Agriculture Laboratory (NESPAL), located on the University of Georgia Tifton campus at 2360 Rainwater Road, Tifton, Ga. 31793. The event provides growers and industry representatives an opportunity to hear the latest reports and newest information available …
Equipment Groups Tackle Right to Repair
The Association of Equipment Manufacturers and the Equipment Dealers Association announced a new industry commitment to provide a comprehensive set of service information tools for tractors and combines put into service by model year 2021. Members of AEM’s Ag Sector Board and EDA released a Statement of Principles articulating the tools they will make available through authorized dealers to empower farmers and …
Report Says Trade Shuffle Poses Risk for Beef Exports
Demand and production for beef may rise this year, but trade remains a wildcard that poses risks to the beef export market, according to a new report by CoBank. The report says trade uncertainty could hamper the U.S.’s ability to capture market share in the coming years. CoBank says 80 percent of beef exports are sold to countries that could …
State Ag Officials Want Bilateral Trade Talks to Commence
State agriculture officials are questioning the Trump Administration on the promise of creating new bilateral trade deals. During a meeting in Washington, D.C. this week, the National Association of State Departments of Agriculture members commented on the lack of new bilateral agreements, as promised by the administration a year ago. Trump promised bilateral agreements as he withdrew the U.S. from …
NPPC Statement on Pork. The Other White Meat® Ruling
The U.S. District Court for the District of Columbia issued a ruling on a suit challenging the sale of the Pork. The Other White Meat® trademarks. The National Pork Producers Council (NPPC) sold the trademarks to the National Pork Board in 2006. The following statement may be attributed to Ken Maschhoff, an Illinois pork producer and president of the National …
Kerosene sold in Hazlehurst Possibly Volatile and Should Not be Used
Agriculture Commissioner Gary W. Black is warning consumers who purchased kerosene on or before February 1, 2018 from Googe Inc. at 90 E Jarman in Hazlehurst that the product is possibly volatile and should not be used. The kerosene is possibly contaminated with gasoline and has the potential to cause an explosion or fire if used in home heaters or lamps. …