Even though the Trump Administration hasn’t followed through on a potential threat to withdraw from the North American Free Trade Agreement (NAFTA), the possibility is already affecting the U.S. Grain Trade. The fifth round of talks wrapped up last week in Mexico, with all sides promising to get the deal done “as soon as possible.” U.S Trade Representative Robert Lighthizer …
Trump Asks Roberts for Raincheck on NAFTA Discussion
President Trump took a trip to visit Republicans on Capitol Hill Tuesday with a focus on finding more votes for the tax-cut bill. However, Senate Ag Committee Chair Pat Roberts took the opportunity to bring up agricultural concern over the NAFTA negotiations. As the president walked out of the meeting, Politico says he asked Roberts, “How are your farmers?” Roberts …
Soybeans to Overtake Corn in 2019
The U.S. Department of Agriculture released a preview of its long-term planting projections Tuesday. The USDA considers a lot of factors when making the projections, including macroeconomic conditions, GDP growth, and farm policy. An important projection from the early release is the overall number of planted acres. Total planted acres for the eight principal crops and land in the Conservation …
Pig Farmers Pay it Forward
Throughout each year, pig farmers give back to their community. Pork Checkoff public relations manager Claire Masker says that is especially evident during this time of the year. Giving For the second straight year, the Pork Checkoff has organized the #HamsAcrossAmerica campaign. Campaign Earlier this week, the National Pork Board, the Iowa Pork Producers Association, Smithfield Foods and PrairieFresh Premium …
Canadian Dairy Program Beginning to Negatively Affect Other Countries
Dairy has been a major sticking point between the U.S. and Canada during the North American Free Trade Agreement negotiations. The issue may actually get worse as Canada is now sending subsidized milk powder to Mexico. Jaime Castaneda, senior vice president of strategic initiatives and trade with the National Milk Producers Federation says Canada is trying to have its cake …
NIFA Funds Food Safety and Nutrition to Promote Safe Food Supply
The U.S. Department of Agriculture’s (USDA) National Institute of Food and Agriculture (NIFA) announced support for research, education, and extension projects that promote a safe, nutritious food supply. The funding is made possible through NIFA’s Agriculture and Food Research Initiative (AFRI) program, authorized by the 2014 Farm Bill. “Each year, 1 in 6 Americans gets sick consuming contaminated foods or …
Financial Assistance Available to West Alabama Landowners Interested in Forestry Initiative
USDA’s Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS) Alabama State Conservationist Ben Malone announced a collaborative effort to reach forestry landowners will continue in West Alabama. NRCS Alabama will partner with the U.S. Endowment for Forestry and Communities, Federation of Southern Cooperatives (FSC), the Limited Resource Landowners Educational and Assistance Network (LRLEAN), and the Alabama Forestry Commission (AFC) to provide assistance to …
Dairy Producers Reminded of December 15 Deadline
USDA’s Farm Service Agency (FSA) reminds dairy producers that December 15, 2017 is the deadline to enroll for 2018 coverage in the Margin Protection Program (MPP-Dairy). Additional flexibility was added this year which provides dairy producers the option of opting out of the program for 2018. In order to opt out, a producer should not sign up during the annual registration …
EU Grants Glyphosate License Renewal
After two years of dispute, the European Union (EU) has extended the license for glyphosate for five years. Representatives from a majority of the EU’s 28 nations approved the five-year license renewal of glyphosate, the most widely used herbicide in the world. The unexpected move unblocked a two-year deadlock after the World Health Organization’s International Agency for Research on Cancer …
FSA County Election Deadline Looming
The deadline to return Farm Service Agency county committee election ballots is approaching. The Department of Agriculture says eligible producers must return the ballots to their local FSA office, or be postmarked by December 4th, 2017, to ensure their votes are counted. FSA acting administrator Steve Peterson says approximately 1.5 million producers are eligible to vote in this year’s election, …