whole foods

Whole Foods Launching Plant-Based Burger Joints

Dan Industry News Release

Whole Foods announced last week it is opening its fourth “plant-based burger joint” in Seattle, Washington. Next Level Burger makes meatless protein products and is undergoing a national expansion, promising many additional locations beyond three in Oregon and the new Seattle location within a Whole Foods Market. Meat Industry Publication Meatingplace reports that its menu includes more than a dozen …

salmonella

National Chicken Council to EPA: Reduce RFS Targets

Dan Energy, Industry News Release

As agriculture groups submitted their comments to the Environmental Protection Agency last week regarding the Proposed Renewable Fuel Standard, it should come as no surprise that the National Chicken Council urged further reductions. The National Chicken Council, long opposing the RFS, said in comments to the EPA: “As proposed, the RFS targets exceed the percentage of ethanol Congress envisioned being …

grain traders

Saudi Arabia Nearly Doubles U.S. Corn Imports In 2016/2017

Dan Corn, Industry News Release

The U.S. Grains Council says Saudi Arabia has nearly doubled purchases of U.S. corn this marketing year due to a combination of favorable government policy shifts, competitive prices and market development work by the Council. So far in the current marketing year, Saudi Arabia has purchased 2.07 million metric tons of U.S. corn, or 81.5 million bushels, up significantly compared …

north

Some Speculate Trump May Terminate NAFTA as a Negotiation Tactic

Dan Industry News Release, Trade

Canada-based Global News reports U.S. President Donald Trump may terminate the North American Free Trade Agreement (NAFTA) to get more from Mexico and Canada during the ongoing renegotiation effort. Round two of the negotiations started Friday in Mexico City, Mexico. Most analysts believe the heated rhetoric is a negotiating tactic – but that doesn’t mean Trump won’t actually start the …

American Trucking Industry Watching NAFTA Negotiations Closely

Dan Industry News Release, Trade

September brings a new round of negotiations on the North American Free Trade Agreement (NAFTA). One group keeping an eye on how things progress is the American Trucking Associations. Bob Costello, chief economist and senior vice president, says the truckers have a big stake in the outcome. Since NAFTA was first implemented, truckers now move 71 percent of the total …

primary natural disaster

11 Counties in Alabama Designated as Primary Natural Disaster Areas

Dan Alabama, Florida, Georgia, Industry News Release

With Assistance to Producers in the Surrounding States In response to a request from Jacqueline McCloud, Farm Service Agency’s (FSA) Acting State Executive Director in Alabama, the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) has designated 11 counties in Alabama as primary natural disaster areas due to losses and damages caused by excessive rainfall and flash flooding that occurred from May 1, 2017, …

Soybean Rust Spreading Across Alabama

Dan Alabama, Industry News Release, Soybeans

After a few weeks of consistently wet weather, soybean rust is making its annual march from the Gulf Coast to north Alabama. Spurred on by wet leaves and strong winds, the fungal disease popped up in 33 of Alabama’s 67 counties. Alabama Extension specialist Dr. Dennis Delaney weighed in on the development and offered advice to soybean farmers across the …

awarded

NIFA Support for Food and Agricultural National Needs Fellowship Grants Program

Dan Industry News Release, Research

The U.S. Department of Agriculture’s (USDA) National Institute of Food and Agriculture (NIFA) today announced $3.1 million in available funding to train the next generation of policymakers, researchers, and educators in the food and agricultural sciences. There is a significant shortfall between the number of jobs being created and availability of graduates with bachelor or higher degrees in the food, …

stakeholder

Funding to Train More Than 100 Future Agricultural Science Professionals

Dan Industry News Release, Research

The U.S. Department of Agriculture’s (USDA) National Institute of Food and Agriculture (NIFA) announced $12.6 million to support the training of 55 doctoral candidates and 52 postdoctoral scholars. Funding is made through NIFA’s Agriculture and Food Research Initiative (AFRI), authorized by the 2014 Farm Bill. “Agricultural science depends on new ideas and new perspectives,” said NIFA Director Sonny Ramaswamy. “NIFA …