Willie Nelson’s Farm Aid annual concert over the weekend in Pennsylvania served Certified Humane meats as part of its “Homegrown Concessions. Niman (Nye-man) Ranch partnered with Legends Hospitality to feature “foods sourced from family farms committed to sustainability and offering a fair price to growers,” according to organizers. Meat industry publication Meatingplace reports that Niman Ranch Certified Humane meats will …
China Poultry Safety Standard Similar to U.S.
The Department of Agriculture last week quietly released an audit report of China’s inspection system for poultry processing. The audit says China’s system is equivalent to U.S. systems and standards. The Food Safety and Inspection Service performed the audit last year. USDA released the report one month after the comment period closed on a proposed rule that will allow China …
Ag Organizations Support Northey, Ibach Nominations
More than 20 agriculture organizations recently sent a letter to the Senate Agriculture Committee expressing support for Department of Agriculture Nominees Bill Northey and Greg Ibach (eye-bah). The letter, initiated by the National Association of Wheat Growers, urged the committee to advance the nominations to the full Senate for consideration. President Donald Trump has nominated Northey, the current Iowa Secretary …
Farm Bill This Fall “High Hurdle” for Senate
Getting the farm bill done this fall is a “high hurdle,” according to Senate Agriculture Committee Chairman Pat Roberts. The Kansas Republican told reporters last week it would be easier to write a bill once a budget is in place, noting that the Senate Budget Committee has said the Senate would have a budget this year. Roberts did note that …
Japan Interested in Multi-nation Trade Agreements, Not Bilateral Trade
Leaders from Japan told a Nebraska trade delegation last week that Japan is not interested in a bilateral trade agreement with the United States. Instead, Japan told Nebraska Governor Pete Ricketts that the nation is holding out for the U.S. to rejoin the Trans-Pacific Partnership, according to the Omaha World-Herald. Ricketts says he is pressing U.S. Trade Representative Robert Lighthizer …
Young Producer’s Perspective on the Dairy Business
It’s a life of high risk and high reward. Dairy farmers face their share of challenges, including a volatile market and unpredictable input costs — however, there are young people looking for ways to return to the business. The nation’s milk case depends on it. So says Andy Birch, a 30-year-old dairyman and owner of Maple Grove Farm in Derby, …
UF Researcher Offers Tips on Controlling Mosquitoes After Hurricane
Hurricane Irma left a lot of standing water in the yards and homes of Florida residents. So, a University of Florida researcher suggests steps for making sure your home doesn’t become a haven for mosquitoes. Some mosquito species can lay up to 200 eggs at a time, so it’s critical to empty cups, birdbaths, pots or anything else on your …
USDA/NIFA Needs Stakeholder Input on Food, Agriculture Priorities
The U.S. Department of Agriculture’s (USDA) National Institute of Food and Agriculture (NIFA) is soliciting stakeholder input on the emerging needs and opportunities in food and agricultural sciences. Through this initiative, “NIFA Listens: Investing in Science to Transform Lives,” stakeholders are invited to provide input to help ensure the strategic positioning and relevancy of NIFA’s investments in advancing agricultural research, …
Forest Service Wildland Fire Suppression Costs Exceed $2 Billion
Secretary Perdue Renews Call for Congress to Fix “Fire Borrowing” Problem U.S. Secretary of Agriculture Sonny Perdue announced that wildland fire suppression costs for the fiscal year have exceeded $2 billion, making 2017 the most expensive year on record. Wildfires have ravaged states in the west, Pacific Northwest, and Northern Rockies regions of the United States this summer. As the …
Congressman Bishop Comments on Passing of Former GA Agriculture Commissioner Tommy Irvin
Congressman Sanford D. Bishop, Jr. (GA-02), Ranking Member of the U.S. House Appropriations Subcommittee on Agriculture, Rural Development, Food and Drug Administration, and Related Agencies released the following statement regarding the passing of Tommy Irvin, who served as Georgia’s Agriculture Commissioner for 42 years. “I was greatly saddened to learn of the passing of my friend of longstanding, Tommy Irvin, …