Congress spent the final few weeks of the year addressing legislation that benefits dairy farmers. Starting with the tax bill, the legislation means lower taxes for dairy farmers. However, that wasn’t the case in the original legislation, according to National Milk Producers Federation spokesperson Chris Galen. Tax While the Section 199 deduction was eliminated in the approved version of the …
Perdue Hopeful for NAFTA Resolution
North American Free Trade Agreement (NAFTA) renegotiation talks are taking longer than originally expected due to reported disagreements among trade representatives. Although people may be skeptical that a cohesive resolution will be made, U.S. Secretary of Agriculture Sonny Perdue believes agreements will be made in the end. AgNet Media’s Abbey Taylor was able to catch up with him in Tallahassee …
Mike Sparks Comments on Federal Funding Delay
Although the House cleared federal relief funding on Thursday, the Senate will delay their decision until the new year. The $81 billion disaster-relief package includes money for Florida citrus growers impacted by Hurricane Irma. Mike Sparks, CEO of Florida Citrus Mutual, says although he is happy with the House passing the relief package, the delay in the Senate is disappointing. …
U.S. Agricultural Export Development Council Chair Talks Farm Bill
The importance of agricultural trade and its benefit to the overall American economy, that’s the message Greg Hanes will promote in 2018. Hanes was recently named chair of the U.S. Agricultural Export Development Council, a DC-based organization made up of commodity trade associations, farmer coops and more. He says he plans to develop a united message to deliver to the …
Agri View: Political Questions and Issues
Everett Griner talks about some of the political questions and issues facing agricultural producers in today’s Agri View. Everett discusses what Congress has been most focused on — taxes and foreign labor. These two factors have more impact on agriculture than all of the others combined. But, Everett also asked questions about other issues that need to be covered for agriculture. …
Conaway Launches New Farm Bill Website
Texas Republican and House Ag Committee Chair Michael Conaway announced he’s launching a new resource for information on the 2018 Farm Bill. There’s a new landing page on the House Ag Committee website that he will use to keep interested parties up to date on how the legislation is developing. Website The site will also contain audio and video information …
Conaway Ready For Farm Bill Work
House Agriculture Committee Chair Mike Conaway is ready to get rolling on the farm bill in 2018. Politico also mentioned he’s not worried about a push to overhaul welfare potentially making the process more complicated. The Republican from Texas is optimistic about keeping things on track and getting a floor vote scheduled by March. A working draft of the bill …
Excerpts from Commissioner Adam H. Putnam’s Remarks at the Rural Economic Development Summit
TALLAHASSEE, Fla.– Florida Commissioner of Agriculture Adam H. Putnam today delivered remarks at the Rural Economic Development Summit in St. Augustine. The following are excerpts from his remarks: “The goal of rural economic development is not to turn our rural communities into urban communities. The goal of rural economic development is to embrace the things that make our communities strong …
House Agriculture Committee Launches Farm Bill Landing Page
Ahead of the 2018 Farm Bill, House Agriculture Committee Chairman K. Michael Conaway (TX-11) today announced the launch of a new online resource which can be accessed through the committee’s current website, https://agriculture.house.gov/farmbill. This landing page is designed to provide updates and information related to the 2018 Farm Bill. Following its launch, Chairman Conaway offered the below remarks: “I’m committed to completing a …
This is the Farm Bill
Whether it is farm to table or field to fork, Americans have options when it comes to the food we eat. Options that provide us with unparalleled variety and access to the lowest cost food in the world. Every day, constant innovation and advancements in technology are making it easier and more affordable for Americans to access the food our …