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 China has already withdrawn 22 of what the nation classifies as highly toxic pesticides from farm use, and it …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 …
Grant Funding Study on Consumers Willingness to Pay for Animal Ag Practices
A grant from the Foundation for Food and Agriculture Research (FFAR) will fund a study on consumer understanding and willingness-to-pay for alternative production practices in animal agriculture. The $50,000 grant was awarded to and matched by the Food Marketing Institute Foundation and the Animal Agriculture Alliance, making a total research investment of $100,000. The Foundation for Food and Agriculture Research …
International Trade Commission Votes 4-0 in Support of the Biodiesel Industry
A vote by the International Trade Commission confirms the U.S. biodiesel industry has suffered because of unfairly subsidized imports of biodiesel from Argentina and Indonesia. In a case filed by the National Biodiesel Board, the Commission voted 4-0 Tuesday. NBB called the vote “important progress” to addressing the trade issue. Last month, producers testified on the volume and price effects …
Post-Harvest Slump in Ag Producer Sentiment
The Purdue/CME Group Ag Economy Barometer dropped 7 points in November, signaling a slump in U.S. agricultural producers’ confidence compared to a month earlier. At a reading of 128, the measure of producer optimism in November was the second weakest observed during 2017 and stood just 4 points above the 2017 low of 124, set in March (Figure 1). Based …
Long Awaited Tax Reform Nearing Reality
Comprehensive tax reform, supported by the American Farm Bureau Federation, could soon cross the finish line. The House and Senate have both passed their own versions of tax reform bills. According to AFBF senior congressional relations director Pat Wolff, the biggest difference for agriculture is how pass-through business income will be treated, income reported by farmers and ranchers who file …