Commerce Secretary Wilbur Ross pointed a finger at special interest groups, including those in agriculture, as reason for hiccups in the North American Free Trade Agreement (NAFTA) renegotiation. Ross earlier this week said the U.S. will “continue to take a hard line” on its proposals as talks get under way in Mexico City. Speaking at an event Tuesday, Ross said …
Senate Tax Bill Expands Small Business Break, Ends ACA Individual
A revised Senate tax reform bill expands a key break for family farms and other small businesses, but also includes a key GOP goal to end the Obamacare individual mandate. The reworked Senate Finance GOP bill expands tax relief for small businesses that ‘pass through’ company income as individuals. But Republicans set off a firestorm of protest from Democrats by …
Bringing Persimmons into the Limelight
Persimmons are a sweet, flavorful fruit that hasn’t gotten much attention. That’s probably because many people don’t know what it is, how to eat it, or that it’s good for you. Agricultural Research Service (ARS) scientists and their collaborators are working to bring this uncommon Asian native fruit into the limelight. In 2016, the United States exported 7.4 million pounds of …
USDA Designates 83 Counties in Georgia as Primary Natural Disaster Areas with Assistance to Producers in Surrounding States
The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) has designated 83 counties in Georgia as primary natural disaster areas due to losses and damages caused by Hurricane Irma that occurred from Sept. 10 through Sept. 12, 2017. Those counties are: Appling Crisp Lee Stewart Atkinson Decatur Liberty Sumter Bacon Dodge Long Tattnall Baker Dooly Lowndes Taylor Ben Hill Echols McIntosh Telfair Berrien …
Using the Productivity Index to Figure Cash Rents
Right now, farmers are in the middle of negotiating 2018 cash rents. This while their incomes have been depressed for four years. Agricultural economist Gary Schnitkey has been working up a way for landowners and their tenants to feel better about bringing cash rents down. The University of Illinois number cruncher has developed a formula to derive cash rent from …
Tax Reform Proposals Jeopardize Essential Farm Program Funding
Lawmakers in Congress are considering major changes to the nation’s tax system after a pair of tax reform bills were introduced in both the U.S. Senate and the U.S. House of Representatives. While the jury is still out on how the plans would impact farmers’ and ranchers’ effective tax rates, new analysis shows that the plans, if passed into law, …
Pilot Research Projects Selected for Funding to Improve Agricultural Worker Safety and Health
The Southeastern Coastal Center for Agricultural Health and Safety is awarding more than $56,000 to three pilot research projects to improve the safety and health of agricultural workers. Scientists will use mobile app monitoring to prevent heat-related symptoms among Hispanic farmworkers; research mental, physical and occupational health issues among Haitian and Mexican migrant farmworkers; and identify work and movements to …
Congress Wants Input on NAFTA Withdraw, if it Happens
There are concerns that President Trump may pull the United States out of the North American Free Trade Agreement (NAFTA). Wisconsin Third District Congressman Ron Kind says if that would happen, it would be the first time the U.S. has pulled out of a signed agreement. Kind believes that before a withdrawal happens, Congress should have some input on pulling …
New Reporting Rule Takes Effect, Will Impact Animal Agriculture
Starting Nov. 15, Alabama farmers may be required to report the release of ammonia and hydrogen sulfide from their farms under the Comprehensive Environmental Response, Compensation, and Liability Act (CERCLA). This new requirement stems from an April 2017 court decision that struck down a rule exempting farms from reporting the releases. The U.S. Court of Appeals for the District of …
UF/IFAS Experts: Clean and Cook Holiday Meals Thoroughly
’Tis the season for holiday feasts, so before and after you enjoy a nutritious, tasty cornucopia, be sure to clean and cook thoroughly, UF/IFAS experts say. Here are hints to avoid food-borne illnesses from a holiday meal, according to Samara Deary, a family and consumer sciences agent with UF/IFAS Extension Bradford County; Nan Jensen, family and consumer sciences agent with …