U.S. Secretary of Agriculture Sonny Perdue today outlined U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) services available in the event of a government shutdown. “USDA is committed to safeguarding life and property through the critical services we provide – and should the government shut down, we will continue to do just that,” said Secretary Perdue. “I am proud of each USDA employee …
USDA Announces Plenary Speakers for the 2018 Agricultural Outlook Forum
The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) announced speakers for the 2018 Agricultural Outlook Forum (AOF), to be held Feb. 22–23, 2018, at the Crystal Gateway Marriott Hotel in Arlington, Va. This year’s forum is themed “The Roots of Prosperity,” and the opening plenary session will feature keynote remarks from U.S. Agriculture Secretary Sonny Perdue, welcoming comments from Deputy Secretary Steve Censky, and “The 2018 Economic …
USDA/NIFA Announces Support for Biomass Genomics Research
The U.S. Department of Agriculture’s (USDA) National Institute of Food and Agriculture (NIFA), in partnership with the U.S. Department of Energy’s (DOE) Office of Biological and Environmental Research, announce joint support for research in plant feedstock genomics for bioenergy. NIFA’s support is funded through the Agriculture and Food Research Initiative (AFRI), which aims to address challenges in food and agricultural …
USDA Announces a Near-Record Year for Farm Loans
Infusing Rural Communities with Stronger Businesses and Sounder Agricultural Economies The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) Farm Service Agency (FSA) announced another year of high activity in its farm loan programs. Hard-working farm families across the country accessed nearly $6 billion in new credit, either directly or guaranteed through commercial lenders in 2017. At year end, FSA was assisting more …
Dairy States Need Strong NAFTA
Trade, and improving trade, is critically important for the U.S. dairy industry, especially in Wisconsin. U.S. Senator Tammy Baldwin, a democrat from Wisconsin, says trade is vitally important to all sectors of the U.S. economy, including dairy, but the U.S. needs fair trade agreements. Baldwin says the Trump administration needs to double down its efforts to renegotiate the North American …
Cotton Farm Bill Program in the Works, Long Road Ahead
Support for cotton growers is in the works, albeit a slow process. The National Cotton Council’s Jody Campiche, director of economics and policy, says getting a farm bill program established is a top priority for the sector. Program Long-term, Campiche says a seed cotton program is the council’s preference. Preference She says cotton growers need more support. While prices for …
Growing Corn like a Champ
Setting a new world National Corn Growers Association record in 2017 with a yield of more than 542 bushels per acre, Charles City, Virginia corn grower David Hula says there is no one “silver bullet” to big crops, but there are a few things producers should pay attention to. Watch After selecting your hybrid, Hula says the next most important …
NRCS Alabama Announces Funding to Continue Addressing Feral Swine Management
USDA’s Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS) State Conservationist Ben Malone announced that producers interested in Alabama’s Wild Pig Damage Management Program should apply by February 20, 2018. NRCS Alabama will be offering financial assistance to eligible landowners through 2018’s funding under the Environmental Quality Incentives Program (EQIP). Feral swine have been sighted in most of the 67 counties in Alabama …
Congressman Yoho Requests Flexibility on ELD Implementation
According to the National Cattlemen’s Beef Association (NCBA), as the Department of Transportation presses ahead with implementation of electronic logging devices (ELD), Florida Congressman Ted Yoho is asking Transportation Secretary Elaine Chao to provide livestock haulers with a longer-term waiver from the ELDs. In his official letter, Yoho wrote “I would ask that the [Department of Transportation] issue an exemption for livestock haulers for a period of …
NPPC Supports New Pork Inspection Model
The U.S. Department of Agriculture has proposed a new pork processing inspection rule, a decision strongly supported by the National Pork Producers Council (NPPC). As a result, the USDA’s Food Safety Inspection Service (FSIS) HACCP Inspection Model (HIMP) will be expanded from five current pilot locations to full-scale implementation. “We support the USDA’s decision to advance HIMP as it introduces …