U.S. Secretary of Agriculture Sonny Perdue urged State Foresters to join in calling on Congress to address the way the U.S. Forest Service is funded. Currently, the agency has to borrow money from prevention programs to combat ongoing wildfires. Secretary Perdue believes Congress should treat major fires the same as other disasters and be covered by emergency funds so prevention …
Entomologist Frank Zalom Delivers 2017 ARS B. Y. Morrison Memorial Lecture at ASHS Conference
“Significance of Integrated Pest Management to Sustainable Horticultural Production—Observations and Experiences” is the title of entomologist Frank G. Zalom’s 2017 ARS Benjamin Y. Morrison Memorial Lecture, which he delivered at the American Society for Horticultural Science annual conference in Waikoloa, Hawaii. Zalom is nationally and internationally renowned for his leadership developing research-based integrated pest management (IPM) programs. He is also …
USDA Trade Mission to Expand Export Opportunities for U.S. Agriculture in Brazil
During a U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) trade mission to São Paulo and Recife, Brazil, Sept. 25-29, leaders from 24 U.S. agribusinesses and trade organizations will explore opportunities to expand their agricultural exports and further develop their business relationships in Brazil. “Brazil holds significant untapped market potential for U.S. exporters,” said Mark Slupek, deputy administrator of the Office of Trade …
Alabama NRCS Announces Signup Batching Deadline
USDA’s Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS) in Alabama has announced that October 20th is the signup batching date for producers for 2018 funding for various conservation programs. They include the Environmental Quality Incentives Program (EQIP), the Regional Conservation Partnership Program (RCPP), the Conservation Stewardship Program (CSP) and the Agricultural Conservation Easement Program (ACEP). Signup Batching Deadline Announced for Alabama’s Natural …
Assistance Helps Florida Farmers Conserve Natural Resources
USDA’s Natural Resources Conservation Service in Florida has announced that farmers, ranchers, and forest owners can now apply for financial and technical assistance through the Environmental Quality Incentives Program (EQIP). The signup period is open until November 17 for the fiscal year 2018 funding. Assistance Helps Farmers, Ranchers Conserve Natural Resources Application deadline for financial assistance Nov. 17 Florida farmers, …
W. H. and GOP Leaders Considering Ditching Estate Tax Repeal
The White House and GOP Congressional leaders are considering ditching estate tax repeal and other tax breaks that Democrats charge, favor the wealthy. The idea is to pick up Democratic votes by shaping tax reform more toward the middle-class. Democrats argue estate tax repeal would benefit only the wealthy, those who die with more than $5.5 million in their estates, …
EPA Mulling Options on Dicamba
The Environmental Protection Agency aims to allow farmers to use dicamba next year, but with additional rules in place. An EPA official in the agency’s Office of Pesticide Programs told Reuters this week the agency had not yet determined what steps it would take to mitigate problems associated with dicamba. The herbicide was linked to widespread crop damage this summer. …
Milk Processing Expansion Needed
A report by CoBank shows U.S. milk production growth is outpacing processing capacity growth, leaving dairy processors struggling to keep pace. Every year, U.S. dairy farmers produce three billion more pounds of milk than the year before. CoBank says that those increase challenge processers, who will need an estimated 27 billion pounds more of U.S. milk processing capacity over the …
Ag Exports Groups Urge Passage of the CREAATE Act
A coalition supporting ag exports is urging Senators to pass legislation to expand the Market Access Program and Foreign Market Development program. The Coalition to Promote U.S. Agricultural Exports and the Agribusiness Coalition for Foreign Market Development say the Cultivating Revitalization by Expanding American Agricultural Trade and Exports, or CREAATE Act, would boost trade’s impact on U.S. farmer profitability and …
NAFTA Talks Head to Canada Next Week
The third round of formal negotiations on the North American Free Trade Agreement gets underway next week in Canada. Round three of the talks are planned in Ottaway September 23rd through September 27th. The meeting follows the first set of talks in Washington, D.C., and the second round of talks held in Mexico City, Mexico earlier this month. However, rounds …