Former Agriculture Secretary Tom Vilsack told Agri-Pulse a new deal to allow more milk producers to enter the Chinese market is in the works. Vilsack, who now heads the U.S. Dairy Export Council, has been working for months to change a registration process that keeps new U.S. processors from entering the Chinese market. Vilsack told Agri-Pulse the deal is a …
NCGA Launches Open Innovation Challenge to Find the Next Big Thing for Corn
The National Corn Growers Association (NCGA), along with innovation facilitator NineSigma, announced the launch of a global competition to identify new and innovative uses for field corn as a renewable feedstock for making sustainable chemicals with significant market demand. Growing interest in America’s emerging bio-economy and continued improvements in sustainable corn production underscore the versatility and potential of this crop. …
Pork Checkoff Builds Momentum for Secure Pork Supply Plan
Plan will minimize business disruption from foreign animal diseases The National Pork Board, with major support from the U.S. Department of Agriculture, is creating a Secure Pork Supply Plan to help America’s pig farmers respond quickly and successfully to a major threat, such as a foreign animal disease (FAD). The plan will enhance communication and coordination of all pork chain …
NFU Urges Immediate Adoption of Farmer Fair Practices Rules
The Farmer Fair Practices Rules, a set of three rules that provide very basic protections for farmers and ranchers, were released in December 2016 to address the most anti-competitive and abusive practices levied against family farmers by meatpackers and processors. Because the rules are being reviewed by the new administration, National Farmers Union (NFU) is urging the U.S. Department of …
Critical Agricultural Research and Extension Projects Gains Support
The U.S. Department of Agriculture’s (USDA) National Institute of Food and Agriculture (NIFA) today announced $4.8 million to support 17 research and extension grants that address critically important problems in U.S. agriculture. The funding is made possible through NIFA’s Agriculture and Food Research Initiative (AFRI) program, authorized by the 2014 Farm Bill. “America’s agricultural systems are constantly exposed to biological …
House Ag Committee Underscores Importance of U.S. International Food Aid and Agricultural Development
“Americans are big-hearted people and eliminating food aid programs goes against our country’s longstanding philanthropic commitment.” The House Agriculture Committee held a hearing on the future of international food aid and agricultural development as a continuation of the committee’s series to examine all aspects of the next farm bill. Chairman K. Michael Conaway (TX-11) and members of the committee heard …
NCGA Launches Open Innovation Challenge to Find the Next Big Thing for Corn
The Consider Corn Challenge Seeks New Uses for Field Corn as Feedstock for Sustainable Chemicals The National Corn Growers Association (NCGA), along with innovation facilitator NineSigma, announced the launch of a global competition to identify new and innovative uses for field corn as a renewable feedstock for making sustainable chemicals with significant market demand. Growing interest in America’s emerging bio-economy …
World Pork Expo Underway in Des Moines, Iowa
The 2017 World Pork Expo is getting underway today (Wednesday) In Des Moines, Iowa. The annual event includes the Pork Checkoff and the National Pork Producers Council and features thousands of U.S. and global pork producers, industry professionals and industry experts at the Iowa State Fairgrounds. The event offers learning sessions and seminars, a trade show, and a hospitality tent …
Monthly Farm Economy Survey Holds Steady
A monthly survey on farmers thoughts regarding the farm economy held steady last month. The latest reading of the Purdue/CME Group Ag Economy Barometer, which is based on a monthly survey of 400 agricultural producers from across the country, was 130. The producer sentiment index has hovered near 130 for five of the last six months and remains considerably stronger …
Beef and Pork Exports Moderate in April, Remain Above Year-ago Levels
U.S. red meat exports last month slowed moderately from the pace established in March, but were still significantly higher year-over-year, according to the U.S. Meat Export Federation. Beef exports reached 99,000 metric tons in April, up 13 percent from a year ago, valued at $550.4 million. For January through April, beef exports were up 14 percent in volume and 18 …