With expectations of Hurricane Irma making landfall in south Florida this weekend, the Alabama Department of Agriculture and Industries (ADAI) has been in contact with the Alabama Cooperative Extension System (ACES), Alabama Farmers Federation (ALFA), Alabama Horse Council and the Florida Department of Agriculture and Consumers Services to confirm temporary sheltering facilities for evacuated livestock including horses and cattle. “Hurricane …
Putnam Announces Suspension of Intrastate Movement Requirements for Transportation of Pets and Livestock
Commissioner of Agriculture Adam H. Putnam’s department suspended intrastate movement requirements for the transportation of animals from the areas expected to be impacted by Hurricane Irma. Additionally, Alabama, Georgia, and Mississippi have waived their interstate import requirements for Florida pets and livestock. “By suspending the intrastate movement requirements for the transportation of animals, we can ensure that Floridians and visitors …
Farm and Biofuels Groups Urge EPA to Comply With Federal Court Decision
Farm and biofuels groups are urging the Environmental Protection Agency to comply with a federal court decision and not reduce proposed 2018 targets for cellulosic and other advanced biofuels in the nation’s fuel supply. National Corn Growers, National Farmers Union, and the Renewable Fuels Association are urging the EPA to follow the law and a recent court decision, and boost, …
Whole Foods Launching Plant-Based Burger Joints
Whole Foods announced last week it is opening its fourth “plant-based burger joint” in Seattle, Washington. Next Level Burger makes meatless protein products and is undergoing a national expansion, promising many additional locations beyond three in Oregon and the new Seattle location within a Whole Foods Market. Meat Industry Publication Meatingplace reports that its menu includes more than a dozen …
National Chicken Council to EPA: Reduce RFS Targets
As agriculture groups submitted their comments to the Environmental Protection Agency last week regarding the Proposed Renewable Fuel Standard, it should come as no surprise that the National Chicken Council urged further reductions. The National Chicken Council, long opposing the RFS, said in comments to the EPA: “As proposed, the RFS targets exceed the percentage of ethanol Congress envisioned being …
Rabobank: Cattle Herd Expansion to Continue
A new report from Rabobank predicts the U.S. beef cattle herd will increase 1.6 to 2.2 percent over the next few years. The Rabobank U.S. Long-term Beef and Cattle Outlook report outlines the expanding beef production, which is expected to continue to meet the need for exports. The U.S. beef cattle herd expansion started in 2014, following several years of …
Saudi Arabia Nearly Doubles U.S. Corn Imports In 2016/2017
The U.S. Grains Council says Saudi Arabia has nearly doubled purchases of U.S. corn this marketing year due to a combination of favorable government policy shifts, competitive prices and market development work by the Council. So far in the current marketing year, Saudi Arabia has purchased 2.07 million metric tons of U.S. corn, or 81.5 million bushels, up significantly compared …
Some Speculate Trump May Terminate NAFTA as a Negotiation Tactic
Canada-based Global News reports U.S. President Donald Trump may terminate the North American Free Trade Agreement (NAFTA) to get more from Mexico and Canada during the ongoing renegotiation effort. Round two of the negotiations started Friday in Mexico City, Mexico. Most analysts believe the heated rhetoric is a negotiating tactic – but that doesn’t mean Trump won’t actually start the …
American Trucking Industry Watching NAFTA Negotiations Closely
September brings a new round of negotiations on the North American Free Trade Agreement (NAFTA). One group keeping an eye on how things progress is the American Trucking Associations. Bob Costello, chief economist and senior vice president, says the truckers have a big stake in the outcome. Since NAFTA was first implemented, truckers now move 71 percent of the total …
11 Counties in Alabama Designated as Primary Natural Disaster Areas
With Assistance to Producers in the Surrounding States In response to a request from Jacqueline McCloud, Farm Service Agency’s (FSA) Acting State Executive Director in Alabama, the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) has designated 11 counties in Alabama as primary natural disaster areas due to losses and damages caused by excessive rainfall and flash flooding that occurred from May 1, 2017, …