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.
Trudeau Talks Dairy Trade with House Speaker Ryan
House Speaker Paul Ryan says he asked Canada’s Prime Minister Justin Trudeau (True-doh) regarding Canadian market access for U.S. dairy producers. The Wisconsin Republican met with Trudeau Monday as part of Trudeau’s visit to Washington, DC this week.
Trump Tells Canada to Expect Only “Tweaking” of NAFTA
During his visit with Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau (true-doh), U.S. President Donald Trump said there would only be “tweaking” needed to the North American Free Trade Agreement.
Florida Suffers Setback in Water Wars
by Lloyd Dunkelberger, The News Service of Florida In a major setback to Florida, a special master appointed by the U.S. Supreme Court sided Tuesday with Georgia in a decades-old legal fight over water flow into the Apalachicola River.
USDA Seeks Nominators to Cattlemen’s Beef Board
The U.S. Department of Agriculture’s (USDA) Agricultural Marketing Service (AMS) is accepting applications from any state cattle association or state general farm organization that wants to be certified as eligible to nominate beef, dairy, or veal producers or importers to the Cattlemen’s Beef Promotion and Research Board. Applications are due by March 16, 2017.
APHIS Extends Comment Period on Proposed Rule
Revises Requirements for Importation and Interstate Movement of Plant Pests, Biocontrol Agents, and Soil The comment period for APHIS’ proposed rule to revise the regulations in 7 CFR part 330 that govern the movement into and within the United States of plant pests, biological control agents, and soil, has been extended until April 19, 2017. This 30 day extension will …
Florida NRCS to Hold RCPP Workshop
USDA’s Natural Resources Conservation Service in Florida will be holding a Regional Conservation Partnership Program Workshop on March 15 in Kissimmee. This event will give those interested more information about the Regional Conservation Partnership Program (RCPP).
Alabama NRCS Accepting Proposals for RCPP
USDA’s Natural Resources Conservation Service in Alabama is accepting proposals for Fiscal Year 2018 Regional Conservation Partnership Program, or RCPP funding. Pre-proposals are due by April 21. NRCS Assistant State Conservationist for Programs, Steve Musser, explains how this program has worked for various projects in the state.
U.S. Distillers Grains Exports Reached 11.48 Million Metric Tons in 2016
U.S. exports of distillers grains (DG) — a high protein co-product of dry mill ethanol production used to feed livestock and poultry — totaled 11.48 million metric tons (MMT) in 2016, down 10 percent from 2015’s record-high but still the second-highest on record, according to a 10-page summary of 2016 ethanol co-product trade data published today by the Renewable Fuels …
New FARM Program Environmental Stewardship Module Helps Measure Improvements in Dairy Sustainability
In its continued effort to share the compelling story of continuous improvement on America’s dairy farms, the National Dairy Farmers Assuring Responsible Management (FARM) Program has opened participation in its third component, FARM Environmental Stewardship (ES). The Environmental Stewardship module joins the FARM Program’s two other pillars, FARM Animal Care and FARM Antibiotic Stewardship. The voluntary FARM Environmental Stewardship program …