The National Milk Producers Federation (NMPF) expressed thanks to Agriculture Secretary Sonny Perdue for his department’s decision to give dairy farmers additional time to review their 2018 coverage options in the dairy Margin Protection Program (MPP). The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) said Monday it is extending the June 1 sign-up deadline to Friday, June 8. NMPF, along with key …
USDA Resumes Continuous Conservation Reserve Program Enrollment
One-Year Extension Available to Holders of Many Expiring Contracts through Continuous Signup As part of a 33-year effort to protect sensitive lands and improve water quality and wildlife habitat on private lands, the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) will resume accepting applications for the voluntary Conservation Reserve Program (CRP). Eligible farmers, ranchers, and private landowners can sign up at their local Farm Service …
Canada Approves Bayer Acquisition of Monsanto, with Conditions
The Canadian Competition Bureau has officially approved Bayer’s acquisition of Monsanto, with some conditions. The agreement addresses the Bureau’s concerns that the acquisition would have significantly harmed competition and innovation in Canada’s agricultural sector. Following a review of the sale, the Bureau concluded that the merger would substantially lessen and prevent competition in Canada with respect to the supply of …
UGA Extension to Host Insect Scouting Schools
University of Georgia Cooperative Extension will host two insect scouting schools to introduce new scouts to insect monitoring and serve as a review for experienced scouts and farmers. The first scouting school will be held Monday, June 11, at the UGA Tifton Campus Conference Center in Tifton, with the other school taking place Tuesday, June 19, at the Southeast Georgia Research and Education Center …
Ag Commissioner Candidates Take Aim at NAFTA
Florida’s next agriculture commissioner likely will back White House efforts to change the North American Free Trade Agreement (NAFTA) as a way to help the state’s farmers. Worried about the impact on Florida farmers, state Agriculture Commissioner Adam Putnam has been a frequent critic of the 24-year-old trade deal between the United States, Canada and Mexico. But as Putnam prepares to …
Japan, Russia, and Turkey Talk Potential Trade Retaliation
The World Trade Organization says Japan, Russia, and Turkey have all warned the United States about possible trade retaliation for U.S. tariffs on steel and aluminum imports. An Agriculture Dot Com article says those tariffs would up the total U.S. tariff bill around the world to $3.5 billion annually. The three countries recently notified the World Trade Organization of their …
USDA Invests $256 Million in Water Infrastructure in Rural Communities
Investments Will Support 81 Projects in 35 States Assistant to the Secretary for Rural Development Anne Hazlett announced that the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) is investing $256 million in 81 projects (PDF, 233 KB) to improve water and wastewater infrastructure in rural areas in 35 states. “No matter what zip code you live in, infrastructure is a foundation for quality of …
House Members Want Thailand Ban of U.S. Pork Ended
Members of the House of Representatives sent a letter to Taiwan’s Ambassador to the U.S. asking for the removal of import restrictions on American agricultural products, including pork. The bipartisan letter was signed by 44 House members and sponsored by Republican David Young of Iowa and Wisconsin Democrat Ron Kind. The letter calls for the U.S. to suspend trade benefits …
Perdue Applauds Red Tape Reduction for Farmers
U.S. Secretary of Agriculture Sonny Perdue applauded the removal of a burdensome regulation that has long plagued family farms. The rule requiring producers to obtain Data Universal Number System (DUNS) and System for Award Management (SAM) numbers to participate in U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS) programs has been eliminated. Congress included this repeal in the …
Southern Peanut Growers Conference July 19-21
Sandestin Golf & Beach Resort Mark your calendars for the 20th Annual Southern Peanut Growers Conference, July 19-21, 2018, at Sandestin Golf & Beach Resort, Miramar Beach, Florida. This year’s conference offers farmers an opportunity to learn more about legislative issues, peanut promotions and production issues. The registration fee for growers is $145 which includes all conference events and meals. …