Several pro-trade Republicans met with President Donald Trump on Tuesday to discuss trade. Their goal was to let the president know on a face-to-face basis how important the North American Free Trade Agreement is and to keep negotiating. U.S. officials have taken a hard-line stance in the negotiations with Canada and Mexico, causing concern that the talks could fall apart …
Senators Calling for House-Passed ELD Mandate Delay
Republican Senator Jerry Moran of Kansas and North Dakota Democrat Heidi Heitkamp are spearheading a bipartisan effort to make sure the Electronic Logging Device (ELD) mandate for livestock haulers is delayed one year. A group of Senators wrote to Majority Leader Mitch McConnell and Minority Leader Chuck Schumer expressing support for the delay that was written into the House-passed transportation …
New Dairy Support Program Awaits USDA Approval
Times have been tough in the American dairy industry. Overproduction has led to a lot of supply, which has pushed down beyond the break-even point. There have been some dairy support programs, including the most recent Margin Protection Program. However, the program is flawed, with farmers and farm-state legislators calling for changes. Marin Bozic, Assistant Professor with the University of …
Waiting for Northey Confirmation to Announce NRCS Chief
One post involving agriculture that has yet to be filled in Washington D.C. is Chief of the Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS). And Secretary of Agriculture Sonny Perdue told Southeast AgNet’s Randall Weiseman that announcement won’t be made until the confirmation of another USDA post takes place. Waiting for Northey Confirmation to Announce NRCS Chief Sponsored ContentCIR Agriculture Harvester ProductsJuly …
Services are Available for Immigrant Laborers on American Dairy Farms
Immigrant labor is important to American agriculture, especially in the dairy industry. Dairy farmers across the country may not know that Mexican consulates in every state have services available to help their immigrant workers adjust to life in America. Monica Cruz of the Mexican Consulate in St. Paul, Minnesota, says there are a variety of ways employers and their employees …
Cotton Research and Promotion Program Hall of Fame 2017 Inductees Honored
Cotton Incorporated inducted the 2017 class of the Cotton Research and Promotion Hall of Fame. The event took place in St. Petersburg, FL, as part of the joint Cotton Board/Cotton Incorporated Board of Directors Meeting. The program, now in its fourth year, recognizes U.S. cotton industry leaders that have made significant contributions to the Program or to the cotton industry in general. The three honorees for the 2017 Cotton Research and …
War Between Ethanol Backers – Oil Supporters in Congress Heating Up
The war between Ethanol backers and Oil supporters in Congress is heating up. But, one Midwest lawmaker claims the other side has already lost “leverage” due to timing. Ag Senator Chuck Grassley admits Texas oil-patch Senator Ted Cruz will get his meeting with President Trump to discuss overhauling the Renewable Fuel Standard. Cruz was blocking Senate confirmation of Iowa Ag …
British Geological Survey: Farm Nitrates are Polluting the Earth
A study from across the pond claims farm fertilizers are polluting the rocks beneath our feet, and may lead to severe global consequences. Researchers at the British Geological Survey claim nitrates from fertilizers could have severe global-scale consequences for rivers, water supplies, human health and the economy. As the nitrates settle into the earth, the researchers say it will be …
China Phasing Out More Pesticides in Push for Food Safety
China will begin eliminating the use of 12 pesticides over the next five years as it looks to improve safety of farm produce. The move comes amid an ongoing campaign to improve the environment and tackle soil pollution, according to Reuters. China has already withdrawn 22 of what the nation classifies as highly toxic pesticides from farm use, and it …
Missouri to Challenge California Egg law in U.S. Supreme Court
Missouri is leading 13 states to the U.S. Supreme Court to challenge a California law regarding egg production requirements. Missouri Attorney General Josh Hawley announced this week the state would continue its challenge to the California law that requires out-of-state egg producers to comply with California’s farming regulations in order to sell eggs in California. The suit claims that California’s …