In our recap of agricultural news from around the Southeast for the week ending January 6, we have a report from the annual Southeast Regional Fruit and Vegetable Conference, talk about the Longleaf Initiative, have information about the introduction of peanut products to infants, politics and the farm bill,
Farm Groups Touting Benefits of Agricultural Trade
The National Milk Producers Federation joined 15 other farm organizations in sending a letter to President-elect Donald Trump and Vice President-elect Michael Pence highlighting the importance of trade to America’s farmers. Echoing points made in NMPF’s own letter to the President-elect last month, the producer groups’ Jan. 6 letter stated: “We know that securing positive benefits for American farmers, ranchers, …
Ethanol Exports Continue to Surge in November
by Ann Lewis, Research Analyst The United States exported 121.9 million gallons (mg) of ethanol in November—down 7% from October’s huge total, but still the third-largest monthly total in five years, according to government trade data released today and analyzed by the Renewable Fuels Association. Brazil was the top market again in November, followed by Canada and China. Year-to-date exports …
$2.9 Million Available for Biorefinery Research
The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) National Institute of Food and Agriculture (NIFA) announced the availability of $2.9 million in funding for research to improve biorefinery technologies. The Integrated Biorefinery Optimization program is coordinated and co-funded jointly between NIFA and the U.S. Department of Energy’s (DOE) Bioenergy Technologies Office.
USDA Expands Help to Women and Hispanic Farmers
The Department of Agriculture Thursday announced more help for women and Hispanic farmers in resolving access issues to USDA programs.
API Looking to New Administration with Hopes of RFS Changes
The American Petroleum Institute (API) wants regulatory relief from the incoming Donald Trump administration. During an annual event in Washington D.C. this week, API CEO Jack Gerard says 2016 could be a banner year, but only if Congress and the administration permit it.
Canada Supports New Tariffs on U.S. Products If U.S. Retracts from NAFTA
A majority of Canadians support applying new tariffs on U.S. goods if the U.S. pulls out of the North American Free Trade Agreement.
Searching, Searching, Searching, Still Searching, For an Ag Secretary
Former Georgia Governor Sonny Perdue may be the leading candidate to become Agriculture Secretary, but the Trump transition team continues to meet with others.
Concern Over Proposed Changes in WIC Feeding Program
National Academy of Sciences Suggests Major Reduction in Servings of Nutrient-Rich Milk Offered in WIC Program From Jim Mulhern, President and CEO of NMPF, and Michael Dykes, D.V.M., President and CEO of IDFA: “The NAS Committee’s recommendations would undermine the nutritional value of the WIC program to needy Americans. It is contradictory that the NAS report would both acknowledge that many …
Dr. Peng Chee Receives 2016 Cotton Genetics Research Award
Dr. Peng Chee, a professor of Cotton Molecular Genetics/Breeding at the University of Georgia’s Coastal Plain Experiment Station in Tifton, is the recipient of the 2016 Cotton Genetics Research Award. The announcement was made during the 2017 Beltwide Cotton Improvement Conference, which convened as part of the National Cotton Council-coordinated 2017 Beltwide Cotton Conferences. In recognition, Dr. Chee received a …