The U.S. Supreme Court denied a petition by Missouri to hear a case against California by six states. Led by Missouri, the states sought to overturn a California law setting requirements for housing egg-laying hens. California voters approved the law in 2008, but Missouri, along with Nebraska, Oklahoma, Alabama, Kentucky and Iowa challenged the law. In 2015, the American Farm …
USTR: No NAFTA Deadline Set
The U.S. Trade Representative’s Office says no deadline has been set to finalize North American Free Trade Agreement negotiations that can’t begin until mid-August. Officials from Mexico have suggested that Mexico and USTR Robert Lighthizer have agreed on a December 15th deadline to wrap up the negotiations. However, the USTR office told Politico this week no date has been set …
U.S. Withdrawal from Paris Accord Shirks Science, Neglects Devastating Impacts to Food System, Family Farms, and Future Generations
President Donald Trump announced today that the U.S. will withdraw from the historic Paris Agreement, an accord among 192 nations to combat the potentially devastating impacts of climate change. Echoing concerns raised in a recent letter to President Trump, National Farmers Union (NFU) President Roger Johnson said the President’s decision rejects science and U.S. leadership in an effort that requires …
Miami-Dade County Nursery Grower Named Florida Farmer of the Year
A Homestead nursery operator has received a prestigious honor for his business success and contributions to his community. Earlier this month a panel of judges selected Mark Wilson as Florida’s top farmer for 2017. Officially titled the Swisher Sweets/Sunbelt Ag Expo, Florida Farmer of the Year, the award recognizes Wilson for his innovative practices as a nursery grower, as a …
Ag Lawmakers Discuss Proposed Budget Cuts
A recent Senate Agriculture Committee hearing left no doubt where agriculture lawmakers on both sides of the political aisle stand on the administration’s proposed cuts to key programs for rural America. Republican Committee Chair Pat Roberts recited a litany of gloomy ag statistics, warning against more spending cuts on top of cuts in the last farm bill and earlier cuts …
Fate of Budget Now in Scott’s Hands
From News Service of Florida With a narrowing deadline and an uncertain outcome, Florida legislative leaders on Wednesday sent the new $82.4 billion state budget to Gov. Rick Scott, as education leaders urge a veto of all or major parts of the spending plan. Scott has not tipped his hand. But the Republican governor remains angered over the Legislature’s decision …
National Dairy Month a Reminder of Milk’s Nutrient-Packed Contribution to Our Diet
A glass of milk packs a nutritious punch, a reminder of the importance of dairy in our diets as we enter National Dairy Month, a University of Florida nutrition expert said. “Basically, cow’s milk helps to meet nutrient needs, and some research suggests it may help to protect against some of the major chronic diseases,” said Gail Kauwell, a professor …
Maryland Joins California in Banning Routine Antibiotics Use in Livestock
A bill passed by Maryland’s legislature makes the state the nation’s second to ban the routine use of antibiotics in livestock. Meat industry publication Meatingplace reports the Keep Antibiotics Effective Act prohibits administration of antimicrobial drugs to cattle, swine, and poultry that are not sick, a practice public health experts say can fuel the spread of drug-resistant bacteria. The law …
Four New PEDV Cases Confirmed in Manitoba
Agriculture officials in Canada announced four new cases of Porcine Epidemic Diarrhea Virus, or PEDV, bringing the total number of cases to nine confirmed cases since the beginning of May. National Hog Farmer magazine reports Manitoba Pork, the Provinces Pork Association, will hold a telephone town hall for producers Friday to discuss biosecurity protocols aimed at preventing the spread of …
Ractopamine Found in Pork Shipment from Canada to China
A shipment of pigs’ feet to China from Canada was flagged for containing ractopamine. Ractopamine is a banned growth drug by China and may impact future exports by Canada. China views the tainted shipment as a “systemic failure” of Canada’s program that certifies pork sent to China is free of ractopamine, and the situation “could affect future pork exports,” as …