Washington Legislative Conference March 7-10

Alabama Farmers Federation members anticipate finding a more favorable regulatory climate under President Donald Trump’s administration when they attend the biennial Washington Legislative Conference March 7-10. The Federation’s Mitt Walker said farmers are hopeful Trump and the 115th Congress will promote policies favorable to agricultural and rural communities, and he anticipates regulatory reform and the farm bill will be main …

Evaluating Chemicals that May Pose Risk

New chemical law requires the agency to look at chemicals that were grandfathered in under old law The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) is moving swiftly to propose how it will prioritize and evaluate chemicals, given that the final processes must be in place within the first year of the new law’s enactment, or before June 22, 2017. Sponsored ContentCIR Agriculture …

Comments needed on Chlorpyrifos (Lorsban and Generic Formulations)

Action Alert: EPA is moving forward with efforts to revoke all food use tolerances for chlorpyrifos (Lorsban and generic formulations). Stakeholders may enter comments related to this action on the EPA website until January 17, 2017. Comments that provide the following information would probably be most helpful: Sponsored ContentCIR Agriculture Harvester ProductsJuly 1, 2026FL Cattle Enhancement Board Wraps up Funding …

New Board Appointees Will Join The Cotton Board

Agriculture Secretary Tom Vilsack announced the appointment of 17 members and 18 alternates to serve on The Cotton Board. The cotton producers and importers appointed by the Secretary are charged with working together to oversee the Cotton Research & Promotion Program (the Program). Sponsored ContentCIR Agriculture Harvester ProductsJuly 1, 2026FL Cattle Enhancement Board Wraps up Funding YearJune 30, 2026Florida Cattle …

USDA Expands Grasslands Conservation Program

Helping Dairy, Beef and Other Producers Protect Working Grasslands in 43 States U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) Farm Service Agency (FSA) Administrator Val Dolcini announced that USDA will accept over 300,000 acres in 43 states that were offered by producers during the recent ranking period for the Conservation Reserve Program (CRP) Grasslands enrollment with emphasis placed on small-scale livestock operations. …

Tractor Sales Up Slightly in 2016

U.S. farmers bought more tractors in 2016, compared with 2015, according to the latest report from the Association of Equipment Manufactures. Sponsored ContentCIR Agriculture Harvester ProductsJuly 1, 2026FL Cattle Enhancement Board Wraps up Funding YearJune 30, 2026Florida Cattle Enhancement Board Awarded Researcher Discusses New World Screwworm OverviewJune 19, 2026Verdant Robotics Offers Growers Targeted Application of Herbicides or Beneficials through SharpShooter™June …

Vilsack: Delay of Ag Secretary Pick Shows Lack of Appreciation for USDA

“Why is that the last one?” Those words from outgoing Agriculture Secretary Tom Vilsack regarding his post being the last yet to be filled by the incoming Donald Trump administration. Sponsored ContentCIR Agriculture Harvester ProductsJuly 1, 2026FL Cattle Enhancement Board Wraps up Funding YearJune 30, 2026Florida Cattle Enhancement Board Awarded Researcher Discusses New World Screwworm OverviewJune 19, 2026Verdant Robotics Offers …

House Passes Commodity End-User Relief Act

The House passed H.R. 238, the Commodity End-User Relief Act, by a vote of 239-182. H.R. 238 is a bipartisan bill to reauthorize the Commodity Futures Trading Commission (CFTC), make important regulatory reforms, and most importantly to make important statutory changes to protect end-users and give them access to the tools they need to manage their risks. This bill largely …

Proposed Rule Issued to Amend COOL Provisions; Invites Public Comments

The U.S. Department of Agriculture’s (USDA) Agricultural Marketing Service (AMS) will publish a proposed rule to amend the country of origin labeling (COOL) regulation to add muscle cuts of venison and ground venison to the list of commodities covered under the labeling law. The Agricultural Act of 2014 (Farm Bill) directed AMS to add muscle cuts of venison and ground …

USDA Proposes Adjusted Membership on Cattlemen’s Beef Promotion and Research Board

The U.S. Department of Agriculture’s (USDA) Agricultural Marketing Service (AMS) is proposing to adjust membership on the Cattlemen’s Beef Promotion and Research Board to reflect shifts in cattle inventory levels since the last board reapportionment in 2014, as required by the rules governing the board. Under the proposal, total board membership would decrease by one member, from 100 to 99 …