The Department of Agriculture announced it will revisit the United States Standards for Grades of Carcass Beef, a move drawing praise from the National Cattlemen’s Beef Association. NCBA President Craig Uden says the updates to the beef standards will improve accuracy by basing carcass quality grades on the most current scientific data available. Following a petition led by NCBA, USDA’s …
China Needs More Corn to Meet Fuel Mandate
To meet a fuel blend requirement, China must import more corn, according to industry analysts. A Stewart Peterson advisor tells Farm Journal’s AgDay that China will need to import “an additional billion bushels of corn a year” to meet the mandate. Earlier this year, China announced the nation would require ethanol blends in all fuel by 2020. Demand is growing …
Beef, Pork Exports Post ‘Stellar’ November
U.S. pork exports remained ahead of last year’s record volume pace, and beef exports are poised to break $7 billion this year for only the second time. The U.S. Meat Export Federation says October pork exports were the largest since May, totaling 211,500 metric tons, up five percent from a year ago, valued at $565.4 million. Through the first ten …
Global Food Prices Slightly Lower in November
A measure of global food prices decreased in November largely due to a decline in dairy values. The Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations monthly Food Price Index averaged 175.8 points in November 2017, down 0.5 percent, from October. However, the index is still four points, or 2.3 percent, higher than the same time last year. November saw …
State Farm Bureau Study Estimates Cost of NAFTA Withdraw
A study from the Nebraska Farm Bureau finds withdrawal from the North American Free Trade Agreement (NAFTA) could cost farms in the state up to $55,000 each, annually. The report identifies the 2016 export value of individual Nebraska agriculture commodities to both Canada and Mexico. Analysis in the report also assigns a dollar value of NAFTA on a unit basis …
AFBF Hails National Monument Reforms
The American Farm Bureau Federation (AFBF) calls the reduction in size of two national monuments earlier this week a return of common sense to environmental stewardship. AFBF congressional relations director Ryan Yates says the announcement reduces restricted use of federal lands. Announcement The two designations have historically impacted agriculture in a negative way. Agriculture Moving forward, Yates says any decision …
Supreme Court Asked to Rule on Garden Ban
A Miami Shores couple has asked the Florida Supreme Court to take up a constitutional challenge to an ordinance that bars planting vegetable gardens in the front yards of homes. Hermine Ricketts and Laurence Carroll want the Supreme Court to hear an appeal of a ruling last month by the 3rd District Court of Appeal that upheld the Miami Shores …
Florida NRCS Providing Assistance to Producers Affected by Irma
If you are an agricultural producer in the state of Florida, and suffered damage on your farm or ranch from Hurricane Irma, then you are encouraged to participate in a special signup. USDA’s Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS) in Florida is conducting a sign up until December 28 to provide both financial and technical assistance through the Environmental Quality Incentives …
Irrigation Efficiency Project Coming to Alabama
It was announced a few weeks ago that Alabama will receive funding for a new project through the USDA Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS) Watershed Protection and Flood Prevention Program. The Irrigation Efficiency Project is a new multi-year project that will provide a PL 566 Watershed plan to address irrigation needs in Alabama watersheds that have high potential of irrigation …
EPA Given More Time to Implement Manure Air Emissions Reporting
A federal court is giving the EPA more time to implement a controversial manure air emissions reporting requirement that has the livestock industry crying ‘foul.’ The National Pork Producers Association backed the EPA in the agency’s request to the US Court of Appeals for DC last month for more time to comply with the court’s air emissions reporting order. NPPC’s …