NAFTA ‘nervousness’ dominated a Senate confirmation hearing for two Trump Deputy U.S. Trade Representative nominees, as concerns about a possible North American Free Trade Agreement pull-out continued to surface. Senate Ag Chair Pat Roberts told fellow Kansan C.J. Mahoney, tapped by the president to be a Deputy U.S. Trade Representative with a portfolio including NAFTA talks, that it’s the wrong …
Cattlemen Kick Off Campaign
Prevent Farms, Ranches From Being Regulated Like Toxic Superfund Sites The National Cattlemen’s Beef Association (NCBA) kicked off a media campaign aimed at spotlighting and correcting a recent court decision that will require livestock producers to comply with laws that are only meant to apply to highly toxic Superfund sites. The Comprehensive Environmental Response, Compensation, and Liability Act (CERCLA) was …
USDA Rule Allows Pork Imports From Mexico
The U.S. Department of Agriculture finalized a regulation that will allow all Mexican states to export pork to the United States, a move supported by the National Pork Producers Council. USDA’s Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service (APHIS) is implementing a science-based risk assessment that determined Mexico is free of Classical Swine Fever (CSF), highly contagious viral disease in pigs. …
Trump on NAFTA: Don’t Get Nervous
Following his address to the American Farm Bureau Federation earlier this week, President Donald Trump cautioned farmers and ranchers: “Don’t get nervous” regarding his efforts to renegotiate the North American Free Trade Agreement. He made the comments during an interview with RFD-TV. In a separate interview with Agri-Pulse, Trump said: “I’m negotiating tough for the farmers.” Trump says he thinks …
Rural Prosperity Report Released at Farm Bureau Convention
The president’s task force on rural prosperity officially released its report on Monday at the Farm Bureau national convention. Politico says Cabinet officials made a lot of recommendations in the report for improving the quality of life in rural America, including more online connectivity and more training programs. The report says that only 39 percent of rural America is able …
Farmers Explore the Challenges and Rewards of Organic Farming
A panel of Farm Bureau members who farm organically discussed the challenges and rewards of choosing organic farming at the American Farm Bureau Federation’s 2018 Annual Convention & IDEAg Trade Show. Panelist Tom Schwarz, an organic farmer from Bertrand, Nebraska, who currently serves on AFBF’s Organic and Direct Marketing Issue Advisory Committee, said organic was a viable option for his …
USDA/NIFA Announces Support for Crop Breeding Research
The U.S. Department of Agriculture’s (USDA) National Institute of Food and Agriculture (NIFA) announces support for Early Concept Grants for Exploratory Research (EAGER) to speed the development of new crop varieties. Funding is made through the Agriculture and Food Research Initiative, which seeks to address challenges in food and agricultural sciences through research, extension, and education opportunities. EAGER is established …
Expert Says Being Proactive Key to Farm Succession
The main key to passing the family farm from one generation to the next is being proactive, according to Oklahoma State University professor, Dr. Shannon Ferrell. Ferrell is an attorney, associate professor, and agricultural law specialist at Oklahoma State University. This week he’s been the keynote speaker at a series of downstate Illinois meetings hosted by Farm Credit Illinois. Dr. …
Perdue Announces Farm Service Agency State Committee Appointees
U.S. Secretary of Agriculture Sonny Perdue today announced a slate of Farm Service Agency (FSA) State Committee Appointees. State committees are selected by the Secretary, serve at the pleasure of the Secretary, and are responsible for carrying out FSA farm programs within delegated authorities. “The State Committees will help to ensure USDA is providing our farmers, ranchers, foresters, and agricultural …
USDA Wants More Done to Combat Crop Insurance Fraud
The Inspector General at the U.S. Department of Agriculture says the Risk Management Agency hasn’t done enough to combat crop insurance fraud. Since 2001, the RMA has contracted with the Center for Agribusiness Excellence at Tarleton State University in Texas to collect data on producers who have unusual crop insurance claims that merit further review. Every year, the center produces …