The Florida Department of Agriculture said this week that damages to the states beef cattle industry are estimated at 237.5 million in the aftermath of Hurricane Irma. Florida surveys cattle ranches after the category four hurricane hit the state, and found more than 100 dead animals reported, along with 187,000 calves waiting to be shipped to out-of-state feedlots. Forage crops …
Perdue Traveling to Europe
Agriculture Secretary Sonny Perdue is in Europe this week participating in the G-7 Agriculture Ministers Meeting in Italy. Perdue will also deliver remarks at the World Food Day observance in Rome, and engage in policy dialogue with his counterparts in London and Madrid. The European Union is a top agricultural market for U.S. exports. However, Perdue says, that “while he …
USDA Suspends CRP Enrollment
The Department of Agriculture announced this week that it would process many pending eligible offers for enrollment in the Conservation Reserve Program. USDA also announced it would suspend accepting most new offers until later in the 2018 fiscal year. All current, eligible CRP continuous enrollment offers made through September 30th, 2017, except for those made under the Pollinator Habitat Initiative, …
Report Recommends Changes for NASS Data Collection
A new report suggests the Department of Agriculture should develop a new system for gathering information for crop reports and other surveys. USDA contracted with the National Academy of Sciences three years ago to audit how USDA’s National Agricultural Statistics Service collects data. The report highlighted that NASS could make several changes over time to improve the accuracy of its …
Britain Could Join NAFTA If Brexit Deal Fails
If the North American Free Trade Agreement (NAFTA) survives the renegotiation effort, The United Kingdom may be interested in joining the pact. Reuters-London reports Britain could join a formal trade alliance with the United States, Canada, and Mexico if the European Union refuses to finalize a post-Brexit trade deal by 2019. Reuters says that if Britain did join NAFTA, exporters …
Trump Calls Trudeau a Friend During NAFTA Talks
President Donald Trump called Canada’s Prime Minister, Justin Trudeau, “great friend” as tensions rise amidst the North American Free Trade Agreement (NAFTA) negotiations this week. However, as Bloomberg reports, Trump showed no signs of retreat regarding NAFTA, saying “It’s possible we won’t be able to make a deal and it’s possible we will.” Farm and industry groups were raising alarms …
Conaway Speaks on Disaster Relief in New Farm Bill
The House Agriculture Committee recently held its sixth and final Farm Bill listening session in upstate New York. Committee Chair Mike Conaway said the listening session in New York, along with the other five sessions, were invaluable to the committee as it looks toward developing a new Farm Bill. Disaster recovery programs are a big part of the Farm Bill. …
Trade Lawyer: Trump May be Pushing NAFTA Partners to Walk Away
The fourth round of negotiations for the North American Free Trade (NAFTA) agreement is in progress this week. American, Mexican, and Canadian negotiators are entering some of the more difficult subject matter the sides have to deal with. International Trade and Customs Attorney Dan Ujczo said the tone of Trump Administration negotiators is getting more aggressive. He says the U.S. …
NIFA Invests in Research to Help Boost Organic Farming, Ranching
The U.S. Department of Agriculture’s (USDA) National Institute of Food and Agriculture (NIFA) announced grants to help farmers and ranchers grow and market high-quality organic food, fiber, and other products. The grants are funded through the Organic Agriculture Research and Extension Initiative (OREI) and Organic Transitions Program (ORG). “Organic farming is one of many approaches to making American agriculture sustainable …
Putnam Speaks to Florida Congressional Delegation in Washington, D.C.
Florida Commissioner of Agriculture Adam H. Putnam joined Governor Rick Scott to discuss the recent agricultural damage caused by Hurricane Irma and to request federal assistance. The following are excerpts from his remarks: “The Florida delegation has a long history of coming together in the aftermath of these types of disasters and bringing the full weight of the third largest …