American Farm Bureau Federation President Zippy Duvall praised the Environmental Protection Agency’s decision to collaborate closely with governors regarding revision of the Waters of the United States rule. “EPA Administrator Pruitt’s decision to consult with the states before revising the Waters of the United States rule marks a sharp break with the recent past,” Duvall said. “His letter to the …
EPA and U.S. Army Solicit State Input on Redefining “Waters of the U.S.”
“EPA is restoring states’ important role in the regulation of water” – Administrator Pruitt U.S. Environmental Protection Agency and the U.S. Army sent a letter to governors soliciting input from states on a new definition of protected waters that is in-line with a Supreme Court Justice Antonin Scalia’s opinion in the 2006 Rapanos v. United States case. Scalia’s definition explains …
NMPF April Dairy Market Report
The April Dairy Market Report has fluid milk sales showing the lowest volume decline in almost a year during November 2016–January 2017. American-type cheese consumption continued to outpace that of other cheeses during the same period. American-type cheese exports showed positive growth for the first time in more than a year during December 2016–February 2017. U.S.exports of dry ingredient products …
Bayer to Sell Liberty Crop Protection to Gain Monsanto Takeover Approval
Bayer will sell its Liberty and Libertylink-branded seeds business to gain antitrust approval for its acquisition of Monsanto. Reuters reports the divestment of the two global brands, a requirement imposed by South Africa’s Competition Commission on Sunday, will account for the bulk of asset sales worth about $2.5 billion which is needed to satisfy competition regulators looking at the $66 …
Georgia Lawmakers Ask Perdue to Ditch GIPSA Rules
A group of Georgia lawmakers is pitching an idea to scrap some GIPSA rules to Agriculture Secretary Sonny Perdue, a former Georgia Governor. A group of 10 members of Congress from Georgia has sent a letter to Perdue urging the Secretary to withdraw two proposed rules under the Grain Inspection, Packers and Stockyards Administration. The lawmakers say the rules, currently …
Ag Export Groups Support CREAATE Act
Members of the Coalition to Promote U.S. Agricultural Exports and the Agribusiness Coalition for Foreign Market Development welcomed introduction of House Resolution 2321 last week, the Cultivating Revitalization by Expanding American Agricultural Trade and Exports Act. The Act was introduced by Washington-State Republican Representative Dan Newhouse and Maine Democratic Representative Chellie (Shell-lee) Pingree. The coalitions say the CREAATE Act captures …
Canada, Mexico, Eyeing Trade Markets Beyond U.S.
Mexico and Canada both are eyeing new trade partners as trade rhetoric and threats from the U.S. are growing trade-related concerns between the three countries. The North American Free Trade Agreement members, Canada and Mexico, are considering non-U.S. markets, including China, to grow their economies in the future. The moves come as President Donald Trump promises a renegotiation of NAFTA, …
Roberts Suggests no New Farm Bill Funding
Leadership of the Senate Agriculture Committee indicated there would be no additional money to spend in the next farm bill while touting the cost savings from the most recent farm bill. During a farm bill field hearing in Michigan over the weekend, Senate Agriculture Committee Chairman Pat Roberts said: “The reality is we are going to have to do more …
Putnam: `No End In Sight’ to Wildfires
from The News Service of Florida Nearly 125 wildfires were active in the state on Monday, and the dry conditions are expected to continue into the early summer, Agriculture Commissioner Adam Putnam said. “Florida is in the middle of its worst wildfire season in years — with no end in sight,” Putnam said in a prepared statement. “With such an …
Canada Offers Potential U.S. Ethanol Export Growth
With Canada seeking to reduce greenhouse gas emissions by 20 megatons by 2030, the U.S. ethanol industry is eager to help Canada reach the goal. The U.S. Grains Council says the U.S. ethanol industry last month visited Canada to tout U.S. ethanol. The industry also commented on the proposed Canadian Clean Fuel Standard. Canada has an existing national blending mandate …