Over the past few years, farmers have cut their spending due to low commodity prices caused, in part, by a global glut of commodities. A Dow Jones report indicates that it’s now commodity traders’ turn to make significant adjustments. Major players in the global grain trade, such as Archer Daniels Midland and Bunge, Ltd., are reducing expenditures by hundreds of …
House Committee to Hold Hearing on Glyphosate Allegations
The House Committee on Science, Space, and Technology announced that it may soon hold a hearing on the International Agency for Cancer Research’s 2015 assessment that glyphosate is a carcinogen. The Committee has been looking into the IARC, which receives American taxpayer funding, and it sent a letter to the agency’s director citing concerns over the “scientific integrity” of the …
NAFTA Withdrawal Would Not Lower Deficit With Mexico
President Trump often cited withdrawing from the North American Free Trade Agreement (NAFTA) as a way to reduce America’s trade deficit with Mexico. However, a Forbes Dot Com article says that isn’t the way it works. If the U.S. should no longer be involved in NAFTA, all three countries revert to Most Favored Nation trade status under the World Trade …
U.S. Must Make Commitment to Agricultural Research
The National Pork Producers Council (NPPC) in testimony delivered urged Congress to renew its commitment to funding agricultural research to help America’s farmers feed a growing world population, improve public health and strengthen U.S. national security by ensuring America’s food security. NPPC chief veterinarian Dr. Liz Wagstrom told the House Committee on Science, Space and Technology Subcommittee on Research and …
Secretary Perdue Announces FSA, Rural Development State Directors
Agriculture Secretary Sonny Perdue announced Friday a slate of Farm Service Agency and Rural Development state directors. All directors will serve as appointees of President Donald Trump. Perdue says of the state directors that they will “help ensure USDA is offering the best customer service” to agriculture. FSA state directors help implement Department of Agriculture policies in planning, organizing, and …
Farm Bureau Applauds Congressional Tax Reform
The federal tax reform plan coming out of Congress makes major changes to the tax code. Pat Wolff, AFBF senior director of congressional relations, says Farm Bureau is reviewing the plan to ensure the effective tax rate lessens the tax burden for America’s farmers and ranchers. Wolff calls it a bold proposal that she expects to move through Congress quickly. …
Lawmakers Seek to Change Livestock Disaster Aid
Two bills introduced in Congress seek to make changes to livestock programs, specifically changing the way help to ranchers is administered during a disaster. The legislation includes four bills to make changes to the Department of Agriculture’s Farm Service Agency’s Livestock Indemnity Program and Emergency Conservation Program. Republican Senator Jerry Moran of Kansas introduced the legislation in the Senate, while …
More Money Raising Soybeans
For four years in a row crop farmers in Illinois, other parts of the nation too, have made more money on soybeans than corn. The numbers are pretty clear and University of Illinois Agricultural Economist Gary Schnitkey lays them out in an online farmdocDaily article. He says, on average, soybeans have been more profitable than corn since 2013. And farmers have responded …
NCGA Encourages Farmers to Complete NASS Crop Survey’s
Crop surveys from USDA’s National Agricultural Statistics Service will be arriving in farmers’ mailboxes soon. The National Corn Growers Association (NCGA) is urging all crop farmers to take the few minutes to fill out the survey and send it back to USDA/NASS. Anthony Bush is a corn farmer from Ohio and a member of NCGA’s Corn Board. He says it …
UF Researcher: Controlled Fires Don’t Eliminate Invasive Tree
Researchers have, in the past, reintroduced fire to restore a forest without considering its effect on exotic species that have become invasive. But a recent study by a University of Florida researcher shows that fire actually increases the proliferation of species that harm the environment, which could cause millions of dollars in damage. “Invasive species, be they plants, insects or …