Analysts are saying that President Trump’s decision to impose tariffs on steel and aluminum imports could be hard on farmers. Farm Journal’s Ag Web Dot Com points out that, while Trump hasn’t officially imposed the tariffs, the decision doesn’t have the support of his entire Cabinet and has raised eyebrows all over the world. Jeff Harrison of Combest, Sell, and …
Free Trade vs Fair Trade: In Search of the Facts, and a Level Playing Field
Few farming industries in the U.S. are more misunderstood, or perhaps more misrepresented, than the sugar industry. Each time updates for farm legislation is considered, many of the same worn out, inaccurate and biased arguments from anti-sugar forces return to the stage of debate, most often funded by a small core of Sponsored ContentFlorida Cattle Industry Supports Administration of Florida …
No New Funds for a Farm Bill
The House Agriculture Committee has released information concerning efforts to craft a farm bill, revealing closed door plans to roll out a new bill. Committee Chair, Mike Conaway, led the panel’s approval of its annual Budget Views and Estimates Letter to the House Budget Committee. And he says there are no new funds for a farm bill. No New Funds …
Support for Farmers with Disabilities Through Innovative Technology
The U.S. Department of Agriculture’s (USDA) National Institute of Food and Agriculture (NIFA) announced support for the Assistive Technology Program for Farmers with Disabilities (AgrAbility). Funding is provided under the Smith Lever Act for Farm Safety and Youth Farm Safety Education and Certification. Through the combined dedication and expertise of the Cooperative Extension System and nonprofit disability organizations, the AgrAbility program …
Syngenta Acquires Satellite Imagery Innovator
Syngenta has acquired FarmShots, Inc., a North Carolina-based innovator of high-resolution satellite imagery that detects plant health by analyzing absorbed light from field images. In a company news release (see below), Syngenta says FarmShots was developed to help farmers, agronomists and retailers quickly and accurately spot field issues caused by planter skips, emergence, insect feeding, poor plant nutrition, crop diseases, …
Study Of U.S. Grains Council ROI
$20 In Tax Revenue For Every $1 In Farm Bill Spending On Export Market Development Spending on overseas market development for U.S. feed grains and related products increased the value of those exports by an average of $1.71 billion per year from 2010 to 2014 and increased U.S. gross domestic product (GDP) by an average of $5 billion per year, …
FFA Members Celebrate National FFA Week
Agriculture is part of our daily lives—from the food we eat to the clothes we wear. Next week, more than 653,000 FFA members will celebrate the role agriculture plays in our lives while sharing the message of agricultural education as part of National FFA Week.  National FFA Week is a time for FFA members to host activities that raise awareness …
USDA Helps Dairy and Beef Industries Reach More Domestic and Global Markets
The U.S. Department of Agriculture’s (USDA) Agricultural Marketing Service (AMS) made two announcements about its Animal Welfare Assessment Program (AWAP), which offers an independent assessment for industry animal welfare standards and programs.  AWAP is a voluntary service for industry organizations that evaluates animal welfare standards for conformance with International Organization for Standardization (ISO) Technical Specification (TS) 34700 – Animal Welfare …
USDA to Survey Farmers’ Planting Intentions for 2018
As the 2018 crop production season begins, the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s (USDA) National Agricultural Statistics Service (NASS) will contact producers nationwide to determine their plans for the upcoming growing season. “Each year, the agriculture industry eagerly awaits USDA’s Prospective Plantings report, which provides the first survey-based estimates of U.S. farmers’ planting intentions for the year,” said NASS’ Southern Regional …
Cattlemen Applaud Introduction of Strong Bipartisan Bill in U.S. Senate to Prevent Farms, Ranches From Being Regulated Like Toxic Superfund Sites
Ten Republicans, Ten Democrats Join Together As Initial Co-Sponsors on Fischer-Donnelly FARM Act The National Cattlemen’s Beef Association (NCBA) applauded the introduction of bipartisan legislation in the U.S. Senate that would prevent farms, ranches, and other agricultural operations from having to report livestock manure data under CERCLA, the law that governs toxic Superfund sites. The bipartisan bill was introduced with …