Colin Woodall, Senior Vice President of Government Affairs for the National Cattlemen’s Beef Association (NCBA), released the following statement: “The omnibus spending bill includes a number of positive developments for cattlemen and women, including language that would prevent 200,000 farms and ranches from being regulated like toxic waste sites, delay the implementation of electronic logging devices for livestock haulers for another six months, …
Farm Bill Talks Hit a Snag
House farm bill talks have hit a snag over the key issue of food stamp eligibility requirements. The top House Ag Democrat is balking at a GOP farm bill proposal to add new work requirements to be eligible for food stamps, requirements that Senate Ag members are unlikely to accept. Collin Peterson issued a statement after sharing details with the …
NFU Concerned About Harmful Modifications to Section 199A
Congressional appropriators revealed an omnibus appropriations bill that includes significant and harmful modifications to an important tax break for farmers and agricultural cooperatives. The break is known as Section 199A, was included in last year’s tax overhaul, as a means of leveling the playing field between ag cooperatives and corporations who received a sizeable tax break in the legislation. The …
John Deere Concerned About Trade Retaliation
The world’s largest maker of agriculture equipment, Deere and Company, is worried that possible trade tensions between the U.S. and other countries could affect its machinery sales. A Bloomberg report says the steel and aluminum tariffs on imports to America will have an impact on the company. But, Deere is much more worried about possible trade retaliation that could target …
U.S. Talking With Other Countries About Tariff Exemptions
The U.S. is currently discussing the possibility of steel and aluminum tariff exemptions with a handful of other countries. A Reuters report says America is currently in talks with the European Union, Australia, and Argentina. U.S. Trade Representative Robert Lighthizer testified before the House Ways and Means Committee Wednesday that President Donald Trump will soon make a decision on imposing …
European Union Approves Bayer Takeover of Monsanto, with Conditions
German chemical company Bayer was given conditional European Union approval in its acquisition of Monsanto. A Dow Jones report says the takeover bid, which is worth more than $60 billion, was only approved after both companies agreed to divest themselves of assets worth more than $7.3 billion dollars, in order to ease antitrust concerns. As a large part of the …
Trump Administration Formally Requests Fast-Track Extension
President Trump formally requested a three-year extension of trade promotion authority on Tuesday. Politico says the trade promotion authority allows the president to negotiate free trade agreements that he can submit to Congress under fast-track approval procedures. However, the request comes amid growing concerns in the Republican party over the direction of the administration’s trade policy. Trump’s message to Congress …
Perdue: Administration Unlikely to Cap RIN Prices
An Agri-Pulse report says it appears that the Trump administration will not be putting a cap on the price of biofuel credits, known as Renewable Identification Numbers. Ag Secretary Sonny Perdue says the administration will more likely try to bring down the cost of RINs through a vapor pressure waiver that will increase demand for E-15. That’s the outcome favored …
Seven Counties in Alabama Designated as Primary Natural Disaster Areas
Assistance to Producers in Mississippi The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) has designated Bibb, Jefferson, Pickens, St. Clair, Shelby, Tuscaloosa and Walker counties in Alabama as primary natural disaster areas due to losses and damages caused by a recent drought. Farmers and ranchers in the contiguous counties in Alabama also qualify for natural disaster assistance. Those counties are: Blount Etowah Marion Calhoun Fayette Perry Chilton …
V. P. Pence Presents National Ag Day Proclamation to Secretary Perdue
Vice President of the United States Mike Pence presented President Donald J. Trump’s National Agriculture Day Proclamation to U.S. Secretary of Agriculture Sonny Perdue today at the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) in Washington, D.C. “Since day one of this administration, President Trump and our entire team have been working tirelessly to stand with our nation’s farmers, producers, ranchers, and foresters, and …