More than 180 agricultural groups are coming together to support the Section 199 tax deduction not included in the tax reform proposal. The groups, led by the National Council of Farmer Cooperatives, penned a letter to House Speaker Paul Ryan and Minority Leader Nancy Pelosi opposing the effective repeal of Section 199. By not including the deduction, the House tax …
Analyst Predicts Farm Bill Delay
An Ohio-based economist and consultant told Pacific Northwest farmers last week Congress will most likely pass an extension of the 2014 Farm Bill, and delay the next farm bill until 2019. Matt Roberts told the Tri-State Grain Growers from Washington, Oregon and Idaho, that he predicts there will be an extension in 2018 and that the real bill will come …
NAFTA Talks Again Underway
Round five of the North American Free Trade Agreement (NAFTA) talks are set to begin Friday (11/17/2017) in Mexico City. However, Politico points out that talks will unofficially begin Wednesday (11/14/2017). Much of the two-day prelude to the official talks are expected to focus on textiles, labor, cross-border trade and intellectual property. There’s little expectation of talks regarding agriculture, at …
CERCLA Reporting Deadline for Livestock Producers is Wednesday
Back in 2008, the Environmental Protection Agency published a final rule that exempted most farms from certain release reporting requirements in The Comprehensive Environmental Response, Compensation, and Liability Act, or CERCLA. Specifically, the rule exempted farms releasing hazardous substances from animal waste to the air above threshold levels from reporting under the Act. In short, all farms were relieved from …
USDA Research to Support Environmentally-Friendly Pesticides, Reduction of Methyl Bromide
The U.S. Department of Agriculture’s (USDA) National Institute of Food and Agriculture (NIFA) announced funding available to research new, environmentally-friendly pesticides, and innovative tools and strategies to replace methyl bromide, an older treatment for pests. The Methyl Bromide Transition (MBT) program is helping to discover and implement practical and safer pest management alternatives. Projects may focus on integrated research and extension activities …
Subscribe to Vegetable and Specialty Crop News in Print!
(AgNet Media, Inc., Gainesville, November 14, 2017) — Over the past year, vegetable and specialty crop growers in the Southeast have come to rely on the VSCNews website and weekly e-newsletter for the news and research updates they need. Soon, growers in Florida, Georgia and Alabama will have another source for this valuable information. Due to the popularity of the …
Perdue Announces Hass Avocado Board Appointments
Agriculture Secretary Sonny Perdue announced the appointment of 12 individuals to serve on the Hass Avocado Board. Producers appointed to serve three-year terms are: Susan V. Pinkerton, Santa Paula, Calif. Laurie M. Luschei, Mission Viejo, Calif. Ben Van Der Kar, Carpinteria, Calif. Producers appointed to serve three-year terms as alternates are: C J Shade, Ojai, Calif. Will Carleton, Carpinteria, Calif. …
EQIP Signup Deadline Is Friday in Florida
Florida farmers, ranchers and forest owners are being reminded that this Friday, November 17, is the deadline to apply for financial and technical assistance through USDA’s Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS) Environmental Quality Incentives Program (EQIP) for fiscal year 2018 funding. Through EQIP, ag landowners can receive financial and technical assistance to improve soil, water, air, plants, animals and related …
Alabama Farmers Encouraged to “Keep the Stubble”
During a special month-long campaign called “No Tillage November”, USDA’s Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS) in Alabama and its partners are encouraging farmers across the state to “Keep the Stubble” on their harvested crop fields and improve soil health. Sponsored ContentFlorida Senator Shares Origins of Florida Cattle Enhancement BoardNovember 14, 2025CIR Agriculture Harvester ProductsNovember 8, 2025Florida Cattle Enhancement Board Plays …
Farm Bureau Seeks Full Withdrawal of Organic Livestock and Poultry Practices Rule
The following may be attributed to American Farm Bureau Federation President Zippy Duvall: “The American Farm Bureau thanks Secretary Perdue for delaying the Organic Livestock and Poultry Practices Rule. The health and well-being of livestock is a top priority for all farmers and ranchers. We work with a host of specialists, from animal scientists to nutritionists, to manage our farms …