The Ag Economy Barometer continues to show increased producer confidence following the November election. Organized by Purdue University and the CME Group, the monthly survey of 400 agricultural producers from across the U.S. reached 153 in January, 21 points higher than December’s survey and 61 points higher than in October. The increase marks the most positive recorded sentiment by producers …
Agriculture Groups Stress Importance of Trade
More than 80 agriculture groups signed off on a letter to President Donald Trump Tuesday, calling on the administration to reduce and eliminate tariffs and other restrictive agricultural policies in the Asia-Pacific region.
Negron Water Plan Clears First Hurdle
by Jim Turner, The News Service of Florida Senate President Joe Negron’s plan to buy farmland south of Lake Okeechobee to try to prevent the return of toxic algae blooms in Treasure Coast waterways drew unanimous support Tuesday at its first Senate committee.
Ethanol Exports Reached Record-High 1.01 Billion Gallons in 2016
Net exports of ethanol from the United States set a new record of 1.01 billion gallons in 2016, according to a new eight-page summary of 2016 ethanol trade data published today by the Renewable Fuels Association (RFA). Gross U.S. ethanol exports totaled 1.05 billion gallons in 2016, second only to 2011’s record of 1.19 billion gallons. Meanwhile, ethanol imports registered …
GIPSA Rule Comment Period Extended
The Trump administration extended the deadline for submitting comments on a regulation related to the buying and selling of livestock, a move hailed by the National Pork Producers Council, which opposes the Obama-era rule. The so-called Farmer Fair Practices Rules, written by the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s Grain Inspection, Packers and Stockyards Administration (GIPSA), include two proposed regulations and an …
Georgia Department of Agriculture announces Specialty Crop Block Grant Program for 2017
The Georgia Department of Agriculture (GDA) is pleased to announce the competitive solicitation process to award the 2017 Specialty Crop Block Grant. The Specialty Crop Block Grant Program (SCBGP) funds projects that “enhance the competitiveness of specialty crops.” Specialty crops are defined as: fruits, vegetables, tree nuts, dried fruits, horticulture, Christmas trees, turfgrass/sod, nursery and greenhouse crops, including floriculture. Please …
Various NRCS Programs Available in Alabama
USDA’s Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS) in Alabama invites agricultural producers to stop by its local office to sign up for funding through various programs it currently offers. State Conservationist Ben Malone says the Service hopes landowners will take advantage of these programs here in 2017.
Trump Urged To Start Trade Talks With Japan
Ahead of Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe’s state visit here, the National Cattlemen’s Beef Association (NCBA) and the National Pork Producers Council (NPPC) urged President Trump to begin negotiations on a free trade agreement with Japan. In a joint letter transmitted to the White House, NCBA and NPPC asked the president “to initiate free trade agreement negotiations with nations in …
Florida NRCS Program Helps Manage Lands for Bobwhite Quail
When thinking about managing lands for bobwhite quail, it’s not always about planting longleaf; it’s more about managing existing longleaf pine forests, rangelands and agricultural lands. And that’s where USDA’s Natural Resources Conservation Service comes in with its Working Lands For Wildlife – Northern Bobwhite Project.
USDA Removes Personal information from Animal Welfare Act Documents
The Department of Agriculture has removed some personal information from documents posted online involving the Animal Welfare Act and the Horse Protection Act. The Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service has shared the information online for the last decade, including inspection reports, research facility reports and lists of persons licensed under the Animal Welfare Act.