A study by Iowa State University (ISU) says the Renewable Fuel Standard (RFS) brings a net positive to the U.S. economy but fails to reduce greenhouse gas emissions globally. The study, produced in June, was released by the Renewable Fuels Association recently, highlighting the net positive to the U.S. economy. Iowa State University’s Center for Agriculture and Rural Development developed …
Groups See Pruitt NCBA Video Biased Against WOTUS
Environmental Protection Agency Administrator Scott Pruitt’s appearance in a video with the National Cattlemen’s Beef Association is drawing criticism from critics and so-called government ethics experts. The Cattle Network reports that critics say Pruitt inaccurately uses industry talking points to describe the EPA’s Waters of the U.S. rule and that his comments sound as if he has already made up …
U.S. Moving Forward with WTO China Grains Case
The United States is moving forward with a World Trade Organization case against China regarding tariff-rate quotas for agricultural products. The WTO said this week that the U.S. is requesting that the WTO set up a panel to investigate the tariff-rate quotas, a move that Reuters says sets up a showdown between the two largest economies in the world. The …
Wheat Growers Say NAFTA Can be Improved
As formal renegotiation discussions for the North American Free Trade Agreement (NAFTA) begin in Washington, NAWG continues to stress “Do No Harm.” In the next couple of weeks, negotiators from Canada, Mexico, and the United States will commence the second round of NAFTA renegotiations in Mexico City, before heading to Canada for round three. NAWG recognizes some areas where the …
USDA Rolls Out New APHIS Compliance Database and Search Tool
The U.S. Department of Agriculture’s (USDA) Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service (APHIS) is pleased to announce the rollout of the refined public search tool that provides access to Animal Welfare Act compliance records. The public search tool is a component of the Animal Care Information System (ACIS) and will allow APHIS to make animal welfare information publicly available and …
Farmers Federation Praises Glenn EPA Appointment
Alabama Farmers Federation President Jimmy Parnell praised the appointment of former Alabama Department of Environmental Management (ADEM) Director Trey Glenn as the Environmental Protection Agency’s (EPA) Southeast Region administrator. “Trey Glenn brings knowledge, experience and common-sense leadership to the EPA,” Parnell said. “He is committed to protecting the environment but understands the importance of working with stakeholders as partners in …
Producers Receive Favorable Decisions on Regulatory Matters
Producers received two favorable decisions on regulatory matters last week. A federal court ruled earlier, some 63-thousand producers could not be exempted from a U.S. Environmental Protection Agency air emissions reporting requirement. But the agency still doesn’t know how it will handle the requirement, so National Pork Producers Council spokesman Dave Warner says the D.C. U.S. Court of Appeals granted …
Study Shows Positive Impact of American Sheep Industry
A new Sheep Industry Economic Impact Study completed recently shows that sheep continue to be a good investment for America. The impact analysis revealed that every one dollar spent in sheep and sheep-related production added an additional $2.87 to the American economy in 2016, nearly three times the initial investment. Among some of the study’s findings, a $2.02 billion investment …
Cattle Loss Limited from Montana Wildfires
Montana has lost almost a half million acres of land thanks to wildfires. More than half of that acreage total came from just one fire. The Montana Stockgrowers Association tells Drovers Cattle Network Dot Com that cattle losses from the fires have been limited. 29 fires are currently active in Montana, with the bulk of them burning in the western …
Farm Debt Likely to Reach All-Time High in 2017
Low commodity prices have made things tough by bringing down land values, tightening balance sheets, and increasing the stress level of America’s producers. Unfortunately, that means farmers are continuing to take on more debt. The amount of outstanding farm debt is likely to reach an all-time high this year. Brent Gloy of Agricultural Economic Insights says if the debt level …