The minimum wage for H-2A guest workers is likely to rise in several states during 2018. The National Ag Statistics Service (NASS) surveys the prevailing wages of field and livestock workers in different regions across the country. The NASS calculations are normally adopted by the U.S. Department of Labor in December as the Adverse Effect Wage Rates (AEWR) for the …
South Korea Minister Says No Concessions in Farm-Sector KORUS Discussions
The South Korean trade minister says his country will not take a step backward in the upcoming discussions on updating the South Korean – U.S. free trade deal, known as KORUS. The Korean Herald Dot Com says he told reporters that the government is taking a “strong stand on the agriculture sector and will not retreat any further.” This was …
Grassley, Ag State Senators Maintain Push for NAFTA
Iowa Republican Senator Chuck Grassley remains optimistic that the North American Free Trade Agreement (NAFTA) negotiations will come to a conclusion that benefits agriculture. The Gazette Dot Com said Grassley’s optimism remains in spite of the hard-line taken by the Trump administration in the negotiations. Grassley and other ag-state senators have been continually pushing for the trilateral agreement to continue. …
Some Corn Belt Farmland Values are Stabilizing
Although it’s not region-wide, there are some signs that farmland values in the Corn Belt have begun to stabilize. A Top Producer report says Iowa farmland values rose two percent in the six months prior to September. Those same values are also three percent higher than at the same time last year. The Iowa Chapter of Realtors Land institute survey …
EPA Maintains RFS Point of Obligation Requirement
The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) decided Wednesday to maintain the Renewable Fuels Standard (RFS) Point of Obligation. A Farm Futures Dot Com report notes that EPA administrator Scott Pruitt followed through on a promise to a group of Midwest senators that he would deny a petition from oil refiners to change the point of obligation. He followed through on Wednesday …
Perdue Announces Soybean Board Appointments
Agriculture Secretary Sonny Perdue today announced the appointment of 19 members and 3 alternate members to serve on the United Soybean Board. The producers appointed to serve three year terms include: Annie Dee, Aliceville, Ala. Robert Stobaugh, Atkins, Ark. Gary Berg, Saint Elmo, Ill. Tom Griffiths, Kendallville, Ind. Thomas E. Oswald, Cleghorn, Iowa Larry K. Marek, Riverside, Iowa Dennis Gruenbacher, …
NIFA-Support for Education, Mentoring, and Technical Assistance Programs to Help New Farmers and Ranchers
The U.S. Department of Agriculture’s (USDA) National Institute of Food and Agriculture (NIFA) announced $17.7 million in available funding to support the delivery of education, mentoring, and technical assistance programs that help beginning farmers and ranchers in the U.S. and its territories. Funding is made through NIFA’s Beginning Farmer and Rancher Development Program (BFRDP), authorized by the 2014 Farm Bill. “BFRDP …
USDA Helping to Protect Wetlands, Ag Lands and Grasslands
USDA’s Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS) is encouraging those wanting to protect critical wetlands, agricultural lands and grasslands to consider enrolling their property into conservation easements. NRCS Acting Chief Leonard Jordan said “Protecting these lands preserves America’s heritage, natural resources and open space.” Sponsored ContentWhat Sets Provysol® Fungicide ApartJuly 8, 2025CIR Agriculture Harvester ProductsJuly 1, 2025Nuseed Carinata Covers New GroundOctober …
Tax Reform, Crop Yields, Commodity Prices
There’s lots of talk about tax reform, crop yields, and commodity prices these days, but little about a 2018 farm bill. And it now appears formal writing of a new farm bill may have to wait ‘til next year. Earlier in the year, there was lots of talk about a new farm bill. That was August. Two months later, Democrat Debbie …
Cattlemen Applaud Court-Ordered Stay in Farm Emissions Reporting
A Washington, D.C., Circuit Court decision will stay a mandate regarding farm emissions reporting required under the Comprehensive Environmental Response, Compensation and Liability Act (CERCLA) and the Emergency Planning and Community Right-to-Know Act (EPCRA). CERCLA was enacted in 1980 in response to industrial pollution. EPCRA was first implemented in 1986 to help deal with chemical spills. Craig Uden, President of …