Federal forecasts in the U.S. Energy Information Administration’s (EIA) newly released Annual Energy Outlook 2018 (AEO2018) demonstrate a clear and growing need for U.S. biofuels says Chris Bliley, vice president of regulatory affairs at Growth Energy. The EIA “reference” case, which contains projections through 2050 based on current trends and regulations, predicts an 18 percent increase in miles traveled by …
Study Of U.S. Grains Council ROI
$20 In Tax Revenue For Every $1 In Farm Bill Spending On Export Market Development Spending on overseas market development for U.S. feed grains and related products increased the value of those exports by an average of $1.71 billion per year from 2010 to 2014 and increased U.S. gross domestic product (GDP) by an average of $5 billion per year, …
Ron Craft to Lead the National Cotton Council in 2018
Ron Craft, a cotton producer and fifth-generation ginner from Plains, Texas, was elected National Cotton Council chairman for 2018. Named during the NCC’s 2018 annual meeting held in Fort Worth, Texas on February 9-11, Craft moves up from NCC vice chairman to succeed Ronnie Lee, a cotton producer from Bronwood, Georgia. Active in many state and national farm and gin …
Farm Thefts Could Draw Heftier Penalties
Getting caught stealing a registered beehive would have a deeper sting under a measure advancing in the Senate. The Senate Agriculture Committee on Thursday unanimously approved a proposal (SB 776) that would boost the criminal fine for theft of a commercially farmed animal or a bee colony from $5,000 to $10,000. Committee Chairwoman Denise Grimsley, R-Sebring, said increased fines are …
Seed Cotton Program Good for Georgia Agriculture
In the wee hours of February 9, 2018, both houses of congress passed the Bi-Partisan Budget Agreement of 2018, which the President signed later that morning. Within this legislation, a safety net program for seed cotton, the unginned cotton that producers harvest, was established. This makes cotton a covered commodity under Title 1 of the Farm Bill, of which cotton …
FFA Members Celebrate National FFA Week
Agriculture is part of our daily lives—from the food we eat to the clothes we wear. Next week, more than 653,000 FFA members will celebrate the role agriculture plays in our lives while sharing the message of agricultural education as part of National FFA Week. National FFA Week is a time for FFA members to host activities that raise awareness …
Secretary Perdue Confirmed as 2018 Commodity Classic Keynote Speaker
Agriculture Secretary Sonny Perdue will speak at the upcoming Commodity Classic in Anaheim, California. Held February 27th to March first, Perdue will be the keynote speaker for Wednesday morning’s general session of this year’s event. Secretary Perdue is expected to share his vision for the U.S. Department of Agriculture including his thoughts on a new farm bill, international trade, rural …
U.S. Cattlemen’s Association Wants Beef Defined
The United States Cattlemen’s Association wants the Department of Agriculture to clarify the definition of beef. USCA late last week submitted a petition to USDA’s Food Safety and Inspection Service asking the agency for rulemaking on beef labeling to clarify for consumers what is beef derived from cattle and “beef” products created in a laboratory. USCA Presidet Kenny Graner says: …
Canada: Trade Problems Expected with the U.S. Even if NAFTA is Signed
Canada expects trade challenges from the U.S. will continue even if the North American Free Trade Agreement (NAFTA) talks are successful. A senior Canadian government official says: “Even if a new NAFTA were to be signed tomorrow I think we would still face a lot of turbulence in our relationship with the United States on trade.” Timothy Sargent, the top …
Former Ag Trade Negotiator Says Much Work Left on NAFTA
A former Obama administration trade official says there is too much left to do before the deadline for the North American Free Trade Agreement (NAFTA) talks. Former Chief Agricultural Negotiator for the U.S. Trade Representative, Darci Vetter, told Agriculture.com the negotiations “have a long way to go.” Noting that some issues don’t have an assigned approach yet by the administration, …