International Dairy Foods Association President and CEO Michael Dykes gave his annual state-of-the-industry speech to the Dairy Forum in California. One of his highlights focused on the unity between dairy producers and processors. The Hagstrom Report says that unity that has led to joint positions on the upcoming farm bill, as well as the Trump Administration’s strong advocacy for dairy …
U.S. Food Exports to Cuba Rising
The hard-line rhetoric against Cuba in Washington, D.C., has led to a chink in the diplomatic ties formed in the Obama-era. However, the amount of food exports going from the U.S. to Cuba paints a very different picture. The U.S-Cuba Trade Economic Council released numbers showing that agricultural exports to Cuba totaled up over $250 million in 2017. Those numbers …
No NAFTA, No Trump Re-election
Trade was a big topic at the Agri-Talk Farmers Forum on Wednesday. Farmers at the show were of the opinion that if President Trump pulls out of the North American Free Trade Agreement (NAFTA), he may not see another term in office. One day earlier, Trump said the negotiations were moving along well. He added, “I happen to be of …
Some Sections of NAFTA Negotiations Closer to Completion
While the U.S. is still unhappy with the slow pace in the North American Free Trade Agreement (NAFTA) negotiations, there are some sections that are close to completed. Canada’s chief NAFTA negotiator says that the sixth round of talks could lead to a revamped sanitary and phytosanitary chapter of the pact. Politico says that chapter covers rules on food safety …
Organic Groups Want Livestock Standards in Place
The USDA recently announced it would be withdrawing a series of organic livestock standards that were put into place during the Obama administration. Organic groups across the country are not happy with the move. John Siemon, CEO of the Wisconsin-based Organic Valley Cooperative, says one of the most important things the standards addressed was animal welfare. The battle over the …
National Pork Board Invests in International Marketing-Part II
The National Pork Board has relaunched its focus on international marketing by renaming and restructuring its trade committee. Pork Checkoff vice president of international marketing Craig Morris says the committee is now known as the International Marketing Committee. Committee The International Marketing Committee is being streamlined to better engage with strategic partners. Streamlined The National Pork Board has increased its …
USDA Principles a Great Start for Farm Bill
With the release of USDA’s farm bill principles, agriculture has a path forward regarding what to expect in the next farm bill. While USDA cannot write policy, AFBF public policy executive director Dale Moore says that the action by the Secretary Sonny Perdue sets the tone moving forward. Tone Moore says the principles outlined by Secretary Perdue mirror the farm …
USDA Names 2018 Agricultural Outlook Forum Student Diversity Program Winners
The United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) announced the selection of 30 university students who will attend USDA’s 2018 Agricultural Outlook Forum (AOF), as winners of the USDA Student Diversity Program. These undergraduate and graduate students will receive a weeklong trip to Washington, D.C., capped off by their attendance at the AOF, the USDA’s largest annual meeting, held Feb. 22-23 …
New ARS Food and Nutrition Research Briefs Issued
The invention of a new small plastic pouch that releases chlorine dioxide gas to eliminate E. coli and other pathogens from the surfaces of fruits and vegetables is among the new nutrition and health findings in the latest issue of the Agricultural Research Service’s (ARS) Food and Nutrition Research Briefs. The latest issue can be found at https://www.ars.usda.gov/oc/fnrb/2018/fnrb0118/ The popular online newsletter reports discoveries …
Deadline Extended for Forestry Initiative in West Alabama
USDA’s Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS) in Alabama has announced that the signup deadline for West Alabama Landowners interested in the Forestry Initiative has been extended. Landowners in 11 counties are encouraged to apply for Conservation Activity Plans (CAPs) and practices through the forestry initiative by February 5, 2018. Deadline Extended for Forestry Initiative in West Alabama Sponsored ContentNuseed Carinata …