The Trump Administration recently appointed David McCurdy as the new State Executive Director (SED) for the USDA Alabama Farm Service Agency (FSA). McCurdy began his new position on Dec. 11. McCurdy has worked for FSA for the past 30 years and most recently as a district director. As district director, he provided oversight for 10 FSA offices covering 19 counties …
FCA Reports on Agricultural Economic Conditions
The Farm Credit Administration (FCA) released a quarterly report on economic issues affecting agriculture and updated the financial condition of the Farm Credit System. The report says the USDA is predicting farm income will stabilize near its historical average. The USDA is predicting an increase in farm income, rising from $93.3 billion in 2016 to 96.9 billion in 2017. Factors …
Coalition Wants Federal Ag Budget to Increase
More than 70 agricultural groups sent a letter to congressional leaders asking for an increase in the agricultural budget for the 2018 Ag Appropriations Bill that Congress is developing. The Hagstrom Report quotes the letter as saying the coalition includes groups from the food, agriculture, scientific, academic, veterinary, and consumer sectors. The letter says, “We urge you to substantially increase …
Republican Governors Meet VP About NAFTA
Four Republican Governors met with Vice President Mike Pence on Thursday to discuss their concerns about the North American Free Trade Agreement (NAFTA) negotiations. Reuters says the governor’s wanted to talk about their serious concerns regarding proposed changes to the agreement that they say could affect manufacturing and jobs in their states. The meetings included Governors Kim Reynolds of Iowa, …
Farmers Decline to Get Involved in USDA/GIPSA Suit
Many farmers were upset for months about a U.S. Department of Agriculture decision to withdraw the interim final rule from the Grain Inspections, Packers, and Stockyards Act (GIPSA). Politico says many farmers are also worried about the possibility of retaliation from the large corporations they contract with if they get involved in the lawsuit. As a result, a lot of …
Interest Rate Hike a Double-Edge Sword for Agriculture
It was no surprise earlier this week when the Federal Reserve upped its federal funds rate target range by 0.25%. With their positive outlook for the U.S. economy, the Feds plan on continuing to raise interest rates well into 2018. This most recent hike was one of the bright spots for farm commodities this week, according to Mike Zuzolo from …
USW Thanks USTR for Protecting Ag at WTO
Farm groups thanked U.S. Trade Representative (USTR) Robert Lighthizer for his efforts to defend U.S. agriculture against attempts to weaken the World Trade Organization rules on domestic support in agriculture. Ben Conner, Director of Policy with U.S. Wheat’s Associates, attended the Buenos Aires Ministerial. He says at the meeting India and other countries attempted to create a permanent loophole for certain …
Agroterrorism: American Food Supply a Growing Concern In DC
What’s being done to keep the American food supply safe and allow farmers to continue to produce the food and fiber the nation needs? That was one of several topics discussed during a Senate hearing Wednesday. General Richard Myers, former Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff for President George W. Bush, was asked what currently keeps him up at …
Lawsuit Filed Against USDA Over GIPSA Withdrawal
The Organization for Competitive Markets has joined farmer-plaintiffs from Alabama and Nebraska to sue the U.S. Department of Agriculture for cancelling the GIPSA Farmer Fair Practice Rules. OCM Executive Director Joe Maxwell says the lawsuit seeks to reverse USDA’s October decision. He says the GIPSA rules were mandated by the 2008 Farm Bill and should be implemented. Rules He says …
Resources Available on Antibiotics Use
The Pork Checkoff has taken a leadership role in the responsible use of antibiotics. National Pork Board director of producer and public health Dr. Heather Fowler sees value in having farmers tell that story. Farmers The FDA has released a new report on the use of antimicrobials in all food producing animals. National Pork Board vice president of science and …