Senate Agriculture Committee leaders want the Department of Agriculture to address a dairy pricing issue between the U.S. and Canada. Senators Pat Roberts and Debbie Stabenow are pressing USDA and the U.S. Trade Representative’s office to provide continued engagement with Canada over its dairy pricing policies that are harmful to U.S. dairy producers. In a letter to Agriculture Secretary Sonny …
NFU, Coalition of Rural Organizations Oppose Elimination of Rural Development Mission Area and Under Secretary
Highlighting the important work carried out by U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) Rural Development, National Farmers Union (NFU) and a diverse coalition of rural organizations are calling on Congress to prevent any attempt to eliminate the Rural Development Mission Area (RD) and the Office of the Under Secretary for Rural Development. The groups outlined their concerns in a letter to members …
Florida Farmers to Visit Elected Officials in Washington
Florida farmers, ranchers and small business owners will speak up for agriculture when they visit with the Florida Congressional delegation in Washington, D.C., May 23-25. More than 80 Farm Bureau members from across the Sunshine State will travel to the nation’s capital to discuss various federal policies that affect agriculture and rural land. The agenda includes a series of informal …
Study: U.S. Meat Sales to Reach $100 Billion
A new report projects that demand for meat and poultry will continue to drive sales in the U.S., helping total retail sales reach $100 billion by 2021. The report by market research firm Packaged Facts says meat and poultry products are consumer favorites, food industry mainstays and protein powerhouses, all factors that will keep the U.S. animal protein industry growing. …
Cargill: Grain Glut to Last
Cargill expects international grain markets to remain oversupplied. The company’s CEO told Reuters recently that the oversupply will remain “for a long time” due to bountiful harvests and an increase of crops in storage. Global corn, wheat and soybean inventories have increased over the last four years in the longest stretch of gains since the late 1990s, according to the …
Mexico Officials Visiting U.S. This Week to Talk Trade
With U.S. Trade Representative Robert Lighthizer’s swearing-in Monday, a group of trade officials from Mexico plan to travel to the U.S. to begin working on trade issues between the two countries. U.S. News and World Report says Luis Videgaray, Mexico’s Foreign Minister, will travel with other high ranking officials from Mexico to the U.S. as the two countries seek to …
USDA Political Appointment Nominees Coming Soon
The White House is close to announcing nominees for political appointments within the Department of Agriculture, as reported by Agri-Pulse. Rumored for the number two spot at USDA, Steve Censky, CEO of the American Soybean Association, is expected to be nominated for the USDA deputy secretary position. Current Iowa Agriculture Secretary Bill Northey is expected to receive the nominee for …
EPA E15 Volatility Restriction Among Regulations Requiring Reform
Eliminating the unnecessary regulatory barrier to year-round sales of E15 is among a dozen recommended reforms the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) should immediately undertake to alleviate unnecessary regulatory burdens on the U.S. ethanol industry and American consumers, according to comments submitted by the Renewable Fuels Association (RFA). The comments responded to EPA’s request for input on burdensome, conflicting, or unnecessary …
Caldwell Kicks Off Agriculture Commissioner Campaign
from: The News Service of Florida State Rep. Matt Caldwell on Monday formally launched his 2018 campaign for Florida agriculture commissioner, saying he plans to build a grass-roots campaign across the state. Caldwell, R-North Fort Myers, made the announcement at Sun Harvest Citrus in Lee County. He touted his conservative credentials and discussed his family’s deep roots in Florida. He …
Two Florida NRCS Sign-up Deadlines This Week
USDA’s Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS) in Florida wants to remind landowners interested in restoring a longleaf pine forest and build habitat for northern bobwhite quail habitat, you have until this Friday, May 19, to apply for financial assistance. Funding is available through the Environmental Quality Incentives Program (EQIP). Contact your local USDA service center for more information. Plus, agricultural …