U.S. Secretary of Agriculture Sonny Perdue announced the launch of U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) resources to provide comprehensive and timely support to veterans interested in opportunities in agriculture, agribusiness, and in rural America. The resources include a new website and a USDA-wide AgLearn curriculum to allow all employees to understand the unique opportunities offered to our nation’s veterans. “From the beginning …
USDA to Measure Final 2017 Row Crop Production and Grain Stocks with Two End-of-Year Surveys
The U.S. Department of Agriculture’s National Agricultural Statistics Service (NASS) is encouraging producers to respond to two upcoming surveys – the December Agricultural Survey and the County Agricultural Production Survey – that are critical to row crop producers around the country. The results of the surveys help determine the structure of the 2017 farm payment and risk management programs administered …
Delay Sought For Reporting Farm Air Emissions
With a Nov. 15 deadline looming, the National Pork Producers Council and the U.S. Poultry and Egg Association filed a brief in support of the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency’s motion to delay a mandate that farmers report certain air emissions from manure on their farms. In April, a federal court, ruling on a lawsuit brought by environmental activist groups against EPA, …
Farm Bureau Welcomes Progress on Tax Reform Bill
The following may be attributed to American Farm Bureau Federation President Zippy Duvall: “America’s farmers and ranchers are ready for a tax system that recognizes their hard work and the unique challenges they face while reducing the tax burden that threatens their livelihoods. Thanks to the leadership of the House Ways and Means Committee, we are closer to that goal. …
USDA Invests in Integrated Pest Management for Increased Production
The U.S. Department of Agriculture’s (USDA) National Institute of Food and Agriculture (NIFA) today announced grants to bring safer, more effective pest management approaches to farms and communities. “Insects, weeds, and diseases are ever-evolving challenges for U.S. agriculture,” said NIFA Director Sonny Ramaswamy. “NIFA is making investments to develop sound scientific approaches to increase production and provide continued food security …
USDA Chief Scientist Responds to WHO Antibiotic Recommendations
The World Health Organization (WHO) issued recommendations on the use of antibiotics in agriculture. Dr. Chavonda Jacobs-Young, Acting Chief Scientist with the USDA, says the WHO guidelines are not in alignment with U.S. policy and aren’t supported by sound science. “The recommendations incorrectly combine disease prevention with growth promotion in animals,” she says. “The WHO previously requested the standards for …
Working on Sugar Support Programs Before 2018 Farm Bill
Politico’s Morning Ag Report says North Carolina Republican Representative Virginia Foxx is working on sugar market reforms as the 2018 Farm Bill draws closer. Foxx and a bipartisan group of more than 30 members of Congress have introduced the Sugar Policy Modernization Act. She says the policies within the legislation will keep processors from having to forfeit their crops and …
China Online Mall To Buy Large Amounts of Beef and Pork
JD.com Commits to Purchasing More Than $2 Billion of U.S. Goods Over Next Three Years Includes agreements to import over $1.2 billion of U.S. beef and pork JD.com, (NASDAQ:JD), China’s largest retailer, participated in a signing ceremony held at the Great Hall of the People, with the company entering agreements to purchase in excess of $1.2 billion of beef from The Montana Stock Growers Association (MSGA) …
Asian Trip Highlights Lack of Trade Deals with America
President Donald Trump is on a trip to Asian countries this week. Politico Dot Com says he’s likely to be looking for new trade deals, but many of the countries he’s traveling through don’t want to negotiate a two-way deal with the U.S. Trump and Chinese President Xi Jinping celebrated new deals on Wednesday as Commerce Secretary Wilbur Ross brought …
House Ag Committee Leaders Call for NAFTA Conclusion
House Ag Committee leaders and a group of farm lobbyists are calling on the Trump Administration to not withdraw from the North American Free Trade Agreement (NAFTA). The Hagstrom Report says they’re also asking the White House to finish negotiations quickly to avoid potential declines in agricultural exports. Texas Republican and House Ag Committee Chair Michael Conaway and Minnesota Democrat …