The Trump administration announced it will withdraw regulations related to the buying and selling of livestock, a move strongly commended by the National Pork Producers Council, which opposed the Obama-era rules. Agriculture Secretary Sonny Perdue decided not to move forward with an interim final rule of the so-called Farmer Fair Practices Rules, which was written in 2016 by the U.S. …
More than 2,500 Acres of Environmentally Sensitive Okeechobee Ranch Preserved
The Governor and Cabinet approved the preservation of 2,523 acres of environmentally sensitive land within Corona Ranch in Okeechobee County through cost-effective conservation easements, which prevent future development of the land and allow agriculture operations to continue to contribute to Florida’s economy. The purchase is part of the Rural and Family Lands Protection Program, where the state partners with Florida’s …
UF, Invasive Species Centre Draw International Crowd to Invasive Pests Conference
Researchers from around the world will gather at what many consider to be a perfect storm for invasive aquatic plants. With 28 ports of entry and a tropical environment, Florida ranks first among states for invasive species. Thus, 250 scientists from 13 countries will gather at the 20th International Conference on Aquatic Invasive Species from Oct. 22 to 26 in …
Georgia Grown and Sewn T-Shirts Now Available
The Georgia Cotton Commission, in partnership with the Georgia Department of Agriculture and Georgia Grown, unveiled a new line of Georgia Grown T-Shirts grown and sewn locally in Georgia during the 40th Annual Sunbelt Ag Expo in Moultrie, Georgia. “The Georgia Cotton Commission is proud to work with Commissioner Black (Georgia Agriculture Commissioner Gary W. Black) to showcase the quality cotton …
WOTUS Argued Before the Supreme Court
The pork industry and other ag interests argued before the Supreme Court that now possibly moot lawsuits over the Obama administration Waters of the US. (WOTUS) rule should be handled at the federal district court level, not before an appellate court. The National Pork Producers Council and dozens of other agriculture groups in oral arguments before the high court, say …
Governors Write Trump Regarding RFS
Four ethanol-state governors are expressing concerns regarding the Renewable Fuel Standard to President Donald Trump. In a letter, Monday, the governors of Iowa, Kansas, Missouri and South Dakota, told the president they were concerned about “where the EPA’s proposed implementation of RFS policy is heading,” and its impact on farmers and the rural economy. The four Republicans urged the president …
U.S. Pork Production Expanding
Rabobank predicts steady growth for the pork industry. A new report by Rabobank says increased production and additional processing capacity, and the likely improvement of margins will help the U.S. pork industry remain in expansion mode through 2025. The report, “Steady Growth Ahead for the U.S. Pork Industry,” says domestic consumption is expected to grow slightly, but most of the …
Weed Scientist Has Doubts Over Dicamba Restrictions Effectiveness
The Environmental Protection Agency last week declared dicamba under it’s “restricted use” category, but a weed scientist from Illinois has doubts the new restrictions will be beneficial. Aaron Hager, a weed scientist and professor at the University of Illinois, told Reuters: “Nothing in these new restrictions addresses volatility, and that’s still an issue.” The EPA said Friday it would classify …
Axios: Capitol Hill Asking “When” will NAFTA Withdraw Notice Come
Canada and Mexico have both said they are not walking away from the North American Free Trade Agreement (NAFTA) following hard-hitting proposals by the United States. However, online source Axios points out that folks on Capitol Hill are starting to ask “when” not “if” President Trump will issue a notice to withdraw from NAFTA. The U.S. hardball approach on dairy …
NAFTA Talks Turn to Agriculture, Dairy
The U.S. wants to reverse Canada’s dairy supply management system as part of the North American Free Trade Agreement (NAFTA) renegotiation. U.S. negotiators centered on the agriculture chapter of NAFTA over the weekend and proposed to reverse Canadian dairy pricing program that has undercut certain U.S. dairy exports to Canada. The text, which demands that Canada eliminates an industry pricing …