A former U.S. trade representative warned Canada that trade negotiations with the U.S. would be much less predictable with the Donald Trump administration. Obama-era USTR Michael Froman told Canada-based CBC News much of the North American Free Trade Agreement renegotiations with the Trump administration will likely be familiar ground, albeit with a less predictable partner. Froman helped lead the Obama …
Trump to Renegotiate NAFTA, For Now
President Donald Trump says he has agreed to renegotiate the North American Free Trade Agreement, rather than terminate the agreement. Following news that the White House was preparing an executive order to terminate NAFTA, the President said on Twitter Thursday that leaders called from Mexico and Canada “asking to renegotiate rather than terminate,” adding he agreed to do so. But, …
Backroom Briefing: Putnam No Fan of NAFTA
by Jim Turner, News Service of Florida Florida Agriculture Commissioner Adam Putnam, who may be getting closer to announcing a bid for governor, continued lambasting the North American Free Trade Agreement this week as President Donald Trump backed off, for now, on withdrawing the U.S. from the pact. Putnam’s office said Wednesday he has implored U.S. Commerce Secretary Wilbur Ross …
2017-18 Emerging Leaders Program Class Announced
Twelve U.S. cotton industry members have been chosen to participate in the National Cotton Council’s (NCC) Emerging Leaders Program for 2017-18. Participants include: PRODUCERS – Blake Fennell, Earth, Texas; Jesse Flye, Jonesboro, Ark.; Richard Heiden, Buckeye, Ariz.; Justin Jones, Smithville, Ga.; and Rose Robertson, Coolidge, Ariz.; GINNER – Cacky Sobral, Wilson, Ark.; MERCHANTS – Wesley Rentz, Greenville, S.C.; Beau Stephenson, …
NCGA Urges White House: Don’t Withdraw From NAFTA
The National Corn Growers Association (NCGA) denounced reports that the White House has drafted plans to withdraw from the North American Free Trade Agreement (NAFTA). The following is a statement from NCGA President Wesley Spurlock. “Mr. President, America’s corn farmers helped elect you. We are strong supporters of your administration and continue to stand ready to work with you to …
ARS Geneticist Edward Buckler Receives First National Academy of Sciences Prize in Food and Agriculture Sciences
Agricultural Research Service (ARS) geneticist Edward Buckler is the first person to receive the National Academy of Science’s (NAS) Prize in Food and Agriculture Sciences. Buckler will be recognized for pioneering the use of large-scale genomic approaches linking genes with the crop’s physical traits. This work is giving plant breeders’ better access to key genes and reducing the time needed …
USDA Seeks Nominees for American Egg Board
The U.S. Department of Agriculture’s (USDA) Agricultural Marketing Service (AMS) is seeking nominations for individuals to serve on the American Egg Board for the 2018-2019 term. Any non-exempt egg producer within the 48 contiguous U.S. and the District of Columbia may be nominated. Egg producers owning 75,000 or fewer laying hens may request an exemption from participation in the egg …
Secretary Perdue Hosts Bipartisan Breakfast with House Agriculture Leaders
Secretary Sonny Perdue hosted a bipartisan breakfast with agriculture leaders from the U.S. House of Representatives at the U.S. Department of Agriculture. The breakfast marks the first time Secretary Perdue has met with the leaders, which include: Representatives Michael Conaway, (Chairman of the House Committee on Agriculture, TX-11), Collin Peterson (Ranking Member, MN-07), Robert Aderholt (Chairman of the House Appropriations …
Farm Bureau Welcomes Decision to Improve NAFTA
The American Farm Bureau Federation thanked the Trump administration today for its decision to pursue renegotiation over withdrawal from the North American Free Trade Agreement. The full text of the letter from AFBF President Zippy Duvall is below: “Thank you for your recent decision to choose the path of renegotiation for the North American Free Trade Agreement, rather than withdrawal. …
Georgia Peanut Commission Attends Georgia School Nutrition Meeting to Promote Peanut Consumption
The Georgia Peanut Commission attended the Georgia School Nutrition Association’s annual meeting April 20-22 in Jekyll Island, Georgia, to educate school foodservice personnel about peanuts and peanut butter, as well as encourage consumption in schools across the state. During the three-day meeting, school nutrition professionals attended educational seminars, visited with food service industry representatives and received recognition for outstanding performance …