The Senate Homeland Security Committee has passed an agroterrorism bill to the full Senate for debate. The Securing our Agriculture and Food Act, introduced by Kansas Republican Pat Roberts and Missouri Democrat Claire McCaskill, requires the Secretary of Homeland Security to lead the government’s efforts to secure our nation’s food, agriculture and veterinary systems against terrorism and high-risk events.
Federal Reserve Makes Expected Interest Rate Increase
The U.S. Federal Reserve has again elected to move forward with interest rate increases following a meeting Wednesday. Widely expected, the decision raises the Fed’s benchmark rate to a range between 0.75 percent and one percent.
Group Urges Trump to Protect Crop Insurance
A group of 60 national farm, lending, ag input, conservation, and crop insurance and reinsurance organizations, led by the Crop Insurance and Reinsurance Bureau, sent a letter to the Administration and key lawmakers opposing cuts to crop insurance during the upcoming budget and appropriations processes and in the 2018 Farm Bill.
USDA Designates Jenkins County in Georgia as a Primary Natural Disaster Area
In response to a request from Dianne Westmoreland, Farm Service Agency’s (FSA) acting State Executive Director in Georgia, the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) has designated Jenkins County in Georgia as a primary natural disaster area due to losses and damages caused by drought that occurred from Sept. 3, 2016, through Dec. 12, 2016.
Maximizing Profits with Poultry Litter
A Mississippi-based Agricultural Research Service (ARS) researcher has learned that using poultry litter as fertilizer can help cotton growers in the Southeast maximize profits. Poultry litter (chicken manure, spilled feed, excess feathers, and other poultry-house materials) contains nitrogen and phosphorus—both important crop nutrients. Applying poultry litter to the soil also recycles some of the tons of litter generated annually by …
U.S. Dairy Leaders Promise Steadfast Commitment to Mexico
The leaders of three major U.S. dairy organizations Wednesday promised to continue a strong commitment to their time-tested partnership with Mexico’s dairy industry and consumers.
Farmers, Ranchers Ask Congress to Strengthen Safety Net
The American Farm Bureau Federation and 11 other farm and ranch groups asked congressional budget and appropriations committees to increase funding for farm programs in the 2018 farm bill. The coalition underlined in a letter the need for a strong farm safety net in the face of financial hardship not seen for decades.
RFA Applauds Administration for Recalling Fuel Economy Rules, Allowing for a More Comprehensive Approach
In response to the Trump administration’s decision recalling EPA’s federal fuel economy and emissions rules, and allowing for a data-driven review of the 2022-2025 standards, Renewable Fuels Association President and CEO Bob Dinneen had the following statement:
Farm Equipment Sales Post February Increase
Sales of farm equipment posted an increase in February, according to the Association of Equipment Manufacture’s monthly report on sales.
Study Shows Crop Insurance Firms’ Returns Have Decreased
A new study has found private crop insurance company returns have declined significantly since the 2010 renegotiation of the Standard Reinsurance Agreement. The agreement is between the insurance companies and the federal government.