Shifting Migration & Labor Strategies, with Drop in Unauthorized Share & Rise in Use of H-2A Program Shifting migration patterns and labor strategies are reshaping the overwhelmingly foreign-born U.S. agricultural workforce, with a drop in the share of unauthorized workers and increased employer use of mechanization and the H-2A temporary agricultural worker program, a new Migration Policy Institute report shows. …
ASA Works to Find Answers on Herbicide-Related Damage
Following reports of dicamba-related damage to soybean crops, American Soybean Association (ASA) President and Illinois farmer Ron Moore releases the following statement committing the association’s resources to the pursuit of a solution: “The issues surrounding dicamba-related damage to crops are serious ones, and as the representative organization for the nation’s soybean farmers, ASA is invested in bringing all parties together …
Ronald Cave Named Director of UF/IFAS Indian River Research Facility
An entomologist recognized internationally as a specialist in biological control of insect pests has been named the director of the University of Florida Institute of Food and Agricultural Sciences Indian River Research and Education Center. Ronald D. Cave will serve as the sixth leader of the Indian River REC. From the Indian River REC’s 1947 start as the Indian River …
It’s Tougher to Reproduce When You Change Diets – Just Like a Bug
With the constant introduction of invasive species worldwide, thousands of types of wildlife eat new food, weakening their ability to reproduce, says a University of Florida scientist. That, in turn, could lead to a reduction in our wildlife populations. Scientists already know that when wildlife feed on invasive species, they can get sick, but until now, no one had studied …
Pork Industry Concerned about U.S. Trade Tensions with China
The pork industry is concerned that new U.S. trade tensions with China could result in retaliation against U.S. farm sectors. National Pork Producers Spokesman Dave Warner says the Trump Administration is right to deal with countries that discriminate against U.S. exports, just as it will in NAFTA talks starting this month. China may be considering a retaliatory response, including against …
Tax and Regulatory Reform Top AFBF Fall Agenda
Tax and regulatory reform and a new farm bill will top the American Farm Bureau’s fall agenda, according to Farm Bureau’s executive director. Dale Moore says tax reform looks the most promising right now as lawmakers face a very busy fall schedule. But there’s much more Farm Bureau’s pursuing. Moore hopes the Farm Bill will be wrapped up by early …
SNAP Battle Top Obstacle for Farm Bill
House Ag Committee Ranking Member Collin Peterson says the biggest problem facing legislators as they write the new Farm Bill isn’t just funding. Peterson told sugar producers and processors this week that the biggest battle is over what to do with the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP). Peterson spoke to the International Sweetener Symposium in San Diego, pointing out that …
Farmers Still Support Trump but Worry Over Farm Bill
While some polls say President Trump’s support base has begun to slip, a new Farm Futures survey shows a majority of farmers (55 percent) would give Trump an A or B if they were to assign a grade to him on domestic issues. 26 percent would give him a C. The survey found that farmers seem to be mostly okay …
Farm Labor Shortage May Drive Produce Prices Higher
Adding guacamole to your favorite foods may soon become more expensive. Food and Wine Dot Com says a package of almonds may become pricier as well. As California farmers welcomed the end of a serious drought this spring, a serious labor shortage is becoming another issue to deal with. California is where the bulk of the nation’s produce is grown …
Farm Economy May Be Starting to Stabilize
The prolonged downturn in the farm economy continued in the second quarter of 2017. However, data from the Kansas City Fed’s Survey on Agricultural Credit Conditions shows the farm economy may finally be starting to stabilize. While economic conditions did continue to weaken in the second quarter, the pace of that deterioration has slowed. While the farm loan repayment rate …