Fungal diseases are increasing in animals, which might have serious consequences for wildlife living in a hotter world, said a University of Florida scientist. A new study published in the international journal Scientific Reports shows that fungal infections reduced the heat tolerance of frogs by up to 4 degrees Celsius. “We have seen an increase in animal and plant diseases, …
New Food Labeling Regulation in Development by USDA Should Not Disparage Biotechnology, Mislead Consumers
As the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) prepares to develop a regulatory standard for the labeling of bioengineered food ingredients, it must ensure that consumers receive clear, accurate information about the foods they eat, according to the National Milk Producers Federation (NMPF). In comments filed with USDA’s Agriculture Marketing Service, NMPF said it supports a strict, science-based approach in determining how foods …
American Farm Bureau Asking Farmers to Share Their Story
Lawmakers need to hear about the challenges that farmers face so they can push for solutions that will help everyone in agriculture. If you’ve been affected by tax issues, an out-of-control regulatory system, water issues or other problems that have made it difficult or impossible to continue to run your farm or ranch, American Farm Bureau Federation wants to hear from …
RFA, USGC, Growth Energy Statement On Brazil Decision To Impose U.S. Ethanol Import Tariff
Brazilian Minister of Agriculture, Livestock and Supply Blairo Maggi tweeted that CAMEX, Brazil’s Chamber of Foreign Trade, has approved a recommendation to impose a 20 percent tariff on U.S. ethanol imports after a 600 million liter tariff rate quota. Local media are reporting this TRQ would be in place for the following two years, stymying access to a large and …
USDA Seeks Public Input on Updates to Animal Welfare Act Licensing Requirements
Announcement During Week of 51st Anniversary of Law Protecting Animals in Research & Exhibition Marking the 51st anniversary of the Animal Welfare Act (AWA), U.S. Secretary of Agriculture Sonny Perdue asked for input from the public to help determine potential updates to the law’s licensing requirements. The Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service (APHIS), within the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA), …
United Soybean Board Announces Polly Ruhland as New CEO
After an intensive search by a farmer-led team, the United Soybean Board (USB) has named Polly Ruhland as the new chief executive officer (CEO) effective November 1, 2017. “Polly exceeded all of the attributes for what we as a board were looking for in a new CEO to lead us into the future,” says John Motter, USB chair and soybean …
USDA Rolls Out New APHIS Compliance Database and Search Tool
The U.S. Department of Agriculture’s (USDA) Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service (APHIS) is pleased to announce the rollout of the refined public search tool that provides access to Animal Welfare Act compliance records. The public search tool is a component of the Animal Care Information System (ACIS) and will allow APHIS to make animal welfare information publicly available and …
Cotton Board Holds Annual Meeting
Recommends Cotton Incorporated Budget of $74 Million New Cotton Board Chairman and Officers Elected During its Annual Meeting in Durham, North Carolina, The Cotton Board reviewed and voted to recommend Cotton Incorporated’s proposed 2018 budget of $74 million to the U.S. Secretary of Agriculture. The Cotton Board also elected Louisiana cotton producer George LaCour, Jr. as Chairman of the Board …
USDA Disaster Designation for 11 Alabama Counties
United States Secretary of Agriculture Sonny Perdue, announced that 11 Alabama counties are under a Secretarial natural disaster designation. Farmers in these counties which are classified by USDA as “primary” may be eligible for emergency loans from the USDA Farm Service Agency (FSA). Those farmers in counties that are contiguous to these primary counties may be eligible as well. The …
U.S. to Pursue Other Trade Openings During NAFTA Talks
The U.S. will continue to pursue other trade openings during expected months of talks to modernize NAFTA. Major new bilateral deals may have to await the conclusion of NAFTA talks. U.S. agriculture has one eye on protecting years of gains under NAFTA, but the other on U.S. efforts to expand ag trade elsewhere, after President Trump ditched TPP. U.S. Trade …