A Mexican judge recently made a decision to continue the ban on importing U.S. potatoes into most of Mexico. Imports are currently allowed in land close to the U.S. – Mexican border but are prohibited from going further into the country. The NPC says the ruling ignores science and interferes with the role of the Mexican plant health regulatory authority. …
Foreign Investment in U.S. Farmland Rising
A Chinese firm made big news in 2013 by spending $4.7 billion to acquire U.S. processor Smithfield Foods. In that same deal, the company also acquired over 146,000 acres of U.S. farmland worth more $500 million. The group, now known as WH Group Limited, became one of the largest foreign owners of U.S. land. That purchase is part of a …
Georgia Peanut Tour Early Registration Deadline Approaching!
Early bird registration ends this Friday, August 11. Rates increase by $15 on August 12. Please register by this Friday to receive your Georgia Peanut Tour shirt at registration! DATE: September 19-21, 2017 LOCATION: Albany, Ga. and surrounding area Host hotel: Merry Acres Inn The 31st annual Georgia Peanut Tour brings the latest information on peanuts while giving a first-hand …
Poll: Tax Reform Needed for Farmers and America
A commanding majority of American voters support tax reform, a nationwide poll shows, while most voters also support tax changes that would benefit America’s farm and ranch families. The survey conducted by Morning Consult found that seven out of 10 voters agreed passing tax reform legislation should be a priority for Congress. More than half of voters polled also expressed …
Top U.S. Milk Processor Struggling
A new report shows that Dean Foods Company is struggling amid slowing milk sales and rising costs. The news comes as Dean’s largest customer, Wal-Mart Stores, is preparing to open its own milk processing plant, reducing its reliance on Dean. The Texas-based milk supplier this week cut its per-share profit expectations nearly in half. Shares of Dean Foods are down …
Perdue Turning to Industry for Dicamba Fix
Agriculture Secretary Sonny Perdue indicated to reporters this week that he would like to see the industry work out a fix on dicamba issues. Perdue said: “I would much prefer that method rather than a prescriptive, top-down regulation,” in saying that he is “hoping that the industry itself and the producers themselves are working toward a resolution,” according to Politico. …
USDA Proposes Less Restriction on Mexican Pork Exports
The Department of Agriculture’s Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service is proposing to recognize Mexico as free of classical swine fever. The proposal replaces a previous proposal by APHIS that would have recognized Mexico as a low-risk classical swine fever region. Since USDA’s original proposal, Mexico has asked for enhanced evaluations by USDA. With results from the most recent site …
USTR Seeking Input on KORUS
The U.S. Trade Representative’s (USTR) Office has asked a group of industry advisors to provide feedback on potential changes to the U.S. free trade agreement with Korea (KORUS). World Trade Online reports that USTR is seeking the feedback by mid-August, after recently asking its industry trade advisory committees for ideas on the implementation of the agreement and issues “impacting fair …
Cabinet Eyes Land Deals in Okeechobee, Osceola
Gov. Rick Scott and the Florida Cabinet next week are expected to consider proposed deals that would help preserve more than 3,000 acres of land in Okeechobee and Osceola counties. The proposals include spending $4.2 million to buy 1,992 acres in Okeechobee County from Open Space Land Trust, Inc. The land is part of a broader project within the state’s …
Controlling Weeds in a Way that Saves the Soil and Costs Less
An onslaught of the weed Palmer amaranth in the southeastern United States has left many farmers wondering if they should continue using environmentally friendly cover crops and conservation tillage, or switch to conventional tillage. Palmer amaranth is aggressive, drought tolerant, a prolific seed producer, and capable of developing resistance to glyphosate, known as “Roundup.” Because of that, thousands of acres …