MONTGOMERY, AL (ADAI-September 17, 2019) – The Alabama Hemp program launched in the beginning of 2019, after the Agriculture Improvement Act of 2018 (i.e. Farm Bill) declassified hemp as a schedule 1 drug and deemed hemp as an agriculture commodity. This legislation defines hemp as all parts of the plant containing less than 0.3% THC, including derivatives, extracts, and cannabinoids. …
Florida Eyes Washington on Hemp Rules
TALLAHASSEE, FL (NSF-September 17, 2019) — Florida farmers might not be held back from planting hemp next year even if the federal government has not signed off on long-awaited rule changes. Holly Bell, Florida’s director of cannabis, told the Senate Agriculture Committee on Tuesday that, if all goes well, the state Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services’ permitting for hemp …
USDA Modernizes Swine Slaughter Inspection for the First Time in Over 50 Years
WThe U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) announced a final rule to modernize swine slaughter inspection and bring it into the 21st century. For the first time in more than five decades, the USDA’s Food Safety and Inspection Service (FSIS) is modernizing inspection at market hog slaughter establishments with a goal of protecting public health while allowing for food safety innovations. “This …
Industry Responds to EPA WOTUS Announcement
(Washington, D.C. (USDA-September 12, 2019) – U.S. Secretary of Agriculture Sonny Perdue praised the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) for taking another step to fulfill President Trump’s pledge to repeal and replace the Waters of the United States (WOTUS) rule. “Repealing the WOTUS rule is a major win for American agriculture. The extreme overreach from the past Administration had government taking …
USDA to Issue First Pecan Forecast for 2019 Crop
ATHENS, GA (USDA/NASS-September 12, 2019) — During the last week of September, pecan growers will receive a survey from the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s National Agricultural Statistics Service (NASS). The agency is taking a look into the 2019 pecan production forecast. “The pecan industry is a big player, especially in southern agriculture and it is crucial for us to have …
China Ready to Purchase U.S. Ag Goods
(NAFB-September 11, 2019) — China is expected to agree to purchase more U.S. agricultural products in hopes of a better trade agreement. The South China Morning Post reports working-level officials were discussing the text of a deal, which would be reviewed when trade officials meet in Washington next month. The text is based on details negotiated back in April, before …
Congressman Yoho Introduces Ag Guest Worker Bill
As labor continues to be a top-priority issue for producers nation-wide, Congressman Ted Yoho is aiming to lessen worries of a labor shortage by introducing a new ag guest worker bill. He discussed this new bill in a recent exclusive interview with AgNet Media’s Abbey Taylor. According to Yoho, the bill shies away from immigration and focuses solely on ensuring …
Three Alabama Counties Designated as Primary Natural Disaster Areas
Emergency Support to Producers in Surrounding Counties/Border States Also Available WASHINGTON (USDA/FSA-Sept. 10, 2019) — Agriculture Secretary Sonny Perdue designated three Alabama counties as primary natural disaster areas. Producers in Dale, Geneva, and Henry counties who suffered losses due to recent drought may be eligible for U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) Farm Service Agency (FSA) emergency loans. This natural disaster …
Holmes County, Florida Designated as a Primary Natural Disaster Area
Emergency Support to Producers in Surrounding Counties/Border State Also Available WASHINGTON (USDA/FSA-Sept. 10, 2019) — Agriculture Secretary Sonny Perdue designated Holmes County, Florida, as a primary natural disaster area. Producers who suffered losses due to recent drought may be eligible for U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) Farm Service Agency (FSA) emergency loans. This natural disaster designation allows FSA to extend …
State, Federal Leaders Announce Next Steps for Hurricane Michael Disaster Aid
Applications for assistance open on September 11 WASHINGTON, D.C. (Sen. David Perdue-September 10, 2019) — U.S. Secretary of Agriculture Sonny Perdue, U.S. Senator Johnny Isakson (R-GA), U.S. Senator David Perdue (R-GA), Governor Brian Kemp, and Georgia Commissioner of Agriculture Gary Black announced that agricultural producers affected by Hurricane Michael, or other natural disasters in 2018 and 2019, can apply for …