R-CALF, the Ranchers-Cattlemen Action Legal Fund, United Stockgrowers of America, is calling on the U.S. federal government to investigate a corruption scandal by meat processor JBS. R-CALF USA sent a comprehensive, 11-page request to President Trump, Senate Judiciary Committee Chairman Chuck Grassley, Attorney General Jeff Sessions and Agriculture Secretary Sonny Perdue for a full investigation and strict antitrust enforcement action …
Senate Committee to Consider E-15 Waiver Legislation
A Senate committee will consider legislation next week that would put in place a permanent waiver to Reid vapor pressure (RVP) requirements to allow E-15 sales year-round. The Senate Environment and Public Works Committee announced the hearing set for Wednesday, June 14th. The hearing focuses on the Consumer and Fuel Retailer Choice Act, introduced in March by Nebraska Republican Senator …
Trump Waterways Commitment Needs Funding
Farm groups are encouraged by President Donald Trump’s infrastructure commitment for waterways, but Politico questions how the President plans to fund the effort. Trump announced his plan with Agriculture Secretary Sonny Perdue and Interior Secretary Ryan Zinke earlier this week. The American Soybean Association says President Trump’s remarks highlighted the importance of the waterways and the need for infrastructure upgrades, …
USDA Seeks Nominees to the National Dairy Board
The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) is seeking nominations for the National Dairy Promotion and Research Board. Nominations must be submitted by July 10, 2017. The Secretary of Agriculture will appoint 12 dairy producers and one importer to serve 3-year terms beginning Nov. 1, 2017, and end Oct. 31, 2020. The selected representatives will replace board members whose terms expire …
USDA Announces More than $22 Million in Conservation Innovation
The USDA Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS) announced that the agency will award more than $22.6 million to drive public and private sector innovation in resource conservation. The agency is investing in 33 projects nationwide through its competitive Conservation Innovation Grants (CIG) program, which helps develop the tools, technologies, and strategies to support next-generation conservation efforts on working lands and …
Three Counties in Florida Designated as Primary Natural Disaster Areas
In response to a request from Debby Folsom, Farm Service Agency’s (FSA) Acting State Executive Director in Florida, the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) has designated Hernando, Pasco and Pinellas counties in Florida as primary natural disaster areas due to losses and damages caused by a recent drought. Farmers and ranchers in Citrus, Hillsborough, Polk, and Sumter counties in Florida …
Florida Lawmakers Continue to Work on Budget
The Florida Legislative Special Session continues today in Tallahassee. In action taking place this week, the Florida Senate did vote to override vetoes of some $75 million in higher-education projects. A group of Florida 4-H youth and supporters were at the state capitol Wednesday hoping to encourage lawmakers to override Governor Scott’s veto of Florida 4-H funding. The Governor’s veto …
UF Weed Scientist to Lead Aquatic Invasives Center
by Brad Buck, University of Florida Institute of Food and Agricultural Sciences A University of Florida weed scientist has been named the director of the Center of Aquatic and Invasive Plants, a unit that develops environmentally sound techniques to manage invasive weeds. Jason Ferrell, an agronomy professor at the UF Institute of Food and Agricultural Sciences, was named to the position …
Agriculture Pleased with Infrastructure Initiative
A number of farmers and industry stakeholders were in Cincinnati this week to hear President Trump discuss the Administration’s infrastructure initiative. The event was designed to highlight the economic importance for infrastructure projects, including roads, bridges and the inland waterways system. According to a story from Rod Bain, President Trump was joined at the event by Agriculture Secretary Sonny Perdue. …
Nutrition Subcommittee Evaluates Technology and Modernization of SNAP
The House Agriculture Subcommittee on Nutrition held a hearing to evaluate technology and modernization in the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP). Subcommittee Chairman Rep. Glenn ‘GT’ Thompson and members of the committee heard from a variety of witnesses on the ways technology and modernization improve the customer experience, streamline delivery of services and ease the administrative burden. This hearing is …