On February 14, 2017 Ralph Lancaster, the Special Master appointed by the U.S. Supreme Court to oversee the Georgia-Florida “Water Wars” dispute, ruled in Georgia’s favor. The case stems from years of legal disputes between Georgia, Florida, and Alabama. This particular case involved Florida suing Georgia via the Supreme Court and requesting Georgia cap its water consumption from the Apalachicola-Chattahoochee-Flint …
Nelson, Dunn Wade Into ‘Water War’ After Setback
by Lloyd Dunkelberger, The News Service of Florida With an adverse legal decision in the ongoing “water war” with Georgia, Florida congressional members on Wednesday began taking steps to reassert Florida’s claim that regional water policies are hurting Apalachicola Bay.
Conaway Praises New Initiative Aimed at Clarifying Product Date Labels
The grocery industry announced a nationwide effort to clear up consumer confusion regarding date labels on food packaging as part of an overarching effort to combat food waste. The initiative will streamline the phrasing used on food date labels by replacing over ten existing forms with two standard phrases. Most products will bear a “BEST If Used By” label that …
$1.7 Million to Support Research at Tribal Colleges and Universities
The U.S. Department of Agriculture’s (USDA) National Institute of Food and Agriculture (NIFA) announced $1.7 million in funding to build research capacity at land-grant tribal colleges and universities. Funding is made through NIFA’s Tribal Colleges Research Grants Program (TCRGP). “1994 land-grant universities represent a critically important part of our nation’s construct of academic institutions providing the leadership to address nutritional security …
House Agriculture Committee Prepares for Farm Bill by Exploring Economic Outlook in Rural America
The House Agriculture Committee held a hearing to review the economic challenges facing rural America. Members heard from several witnesses who highlighted these factors, including low farm commodity prices, declining net farm income, tightening credit conditions, a strong dollar, and unfair trade practices by foreign competitors.
Smuckers to Build in Colorado
The J. M. Smucker Company recently announced plans to build a facility in Colorado to supplement an existing facility in Kentucky to produce more of their Uncrustables sandwiches. Tyron Spearman says annual sales of that sandwich continues to grow.
Seneca Valley Virus Disease Reports Increasing
The Seneca Valley virus disease is on a slow upswing in the United States, and a University of Missouri Extension veterinarian says pork producers need to be prepared if the disease strikes their operation.
Roberts Joins Bipartisan Bill to Relieve Farmers of Redundant Regulation
Senate Agriculture Committee Chairman Pat Roberts announced his support Tuesday for a bill that would eliminate redundant federal permitting requirements for pesticide applications.
House Agriculture Committee Holding Farm Bill Hearing Wednesday
A hearing by the House Agriculture Committee today (Wednesday) focuses on setting the stage for the next farm bill. House Agriculture Chairman Mike Conaway says farmers and ranchers are enduring challenging times. The Texas Republican referred to a recent Department of Agriculture report that shows net farm income fell 45 percent from 2013 to 2016, the largest three-year percentage drop …
Rising Demand for Organic and Non-GMO Grains Outpaces U.S. Production
Rising demand for organic and non-GMO foods led to a sharp rise in organic grain imports last year. A new report by CoBank says U.S. production of non-GMO crops has risen, but domestic production for organic corn and soybeans remains well short of current U.S. demand.