President-elect Trump is putting his more protectionist ‘stamp’ on the incoming administration, tapping key trade players for U.S. Trade Representative and other agencies opposed to pure free trade policies. Trump’s pick for U.S. Trade Representative, Robert Lighthizer, served as a deputy trade representative in the Reagan years and went on to lobby for U.S. steel firms, pressing for punitive measures …
Settlement Sought in Florida-Georgia Water War
The News Service of Florida A special master appointed by the U.S. Supreme Court has given Florida and Georgia a Jan. 24 deadline “to reach a framework for settlement” of a contentious legal fight over water rights. Sponsored ContentFlorida Cattle Enhancement Board Allows Viable Research in the Cattle IndustryFebruary 6, 2026Florida Cattle Enhancement Board Track Record Well Received By LegislatorsJanuary …
GIPSA Reduces Fees for Weighing and Inspection Services
The U.S. Department of Agriculture, Grain Inspection, Packers and Stockyards Administration is reducing inspection and weighing service fees by five percent beginning January 1, 2017. The reduction will remain in effect until further notice. “Due to the continuation of high grain exports, The Federal Grain Inspection Service (FGIS) operating reserve exceeds 4 ½ months of operating expenses. FGIS also reviewed …
MyPlate, MyWins Helps Turn Resolutions into Real Solutions
MyPlate, MyWins Helps Americans Turn Resolutions into Real Solutions for Healthy Eating in the New Year The U.S. Department of Agriculture’s (USDA) Center for Nutrition Policy and Promotion (CNPP) launched a New Year’s campaign to help Americans turn their resolutions into real solutions for healthy eating in 2017. This campaign is supported by new and existing MyPlate, MyWins resources available …
Cardiovascular Disease and Red Meat Consumption
Consuming red meat in amounts above what is typically recommended does not affect short-term cardiovascular disease risk factors, such as blood pressure and blood cholesterol, according to a new review of clinical trials from Purdue University. While during the last 20 years, there have been recommendations to eat less red meat as part of a healthier diet, red meat can …
USDA Rushing to Finish Organic Livestock Welfare Rule
The Department of Agriculture is “doing everything” it can to roll out the department’s organic livestock welfare rule before the Obama administration leaves office next month. The rule is currently under review at the White House Office of Management and Budget, but a USDA spokesperson recently told the Hagstrom Report that USDA will do everything possible to push the rule …
U.S. Hogs and Pigs Inventory Up 4 Percent
As of December 1, there were 71.5 million hogs and pigs on U.S. farms, up 4 percent from December 2015, and up slightly from September 1, 2016, according to the Quarterly Hogs and Pigs report published by the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s National Agricultural Statistics Service (NASS). Sponsored ContentFlorida Cattle Enhancement Board Allows Viable Research in the Cattle IndustryFebruary 6, …
Obama Admin Takes Action to Address EU’s Unfair Trade Practices against Beef Industry
Obama Administration takes first steps toward reinstating trade action against EU, scheduling a public hearing and seeking public comments on U.S. beef industry’s request European Union’s ban on U.S. beef imports is not based on science, discriminates against American beef producers U.S. beef industry exports average $6 billion per year, producing an estimated $7.6 billion in economic activity and supporting …
USDA to Measure Financial Well-Being of Dairy Farms
Beginning in January, representatives of the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s (USDA) National Agricultural Statistics Service (NASS) will visit dairy farms across the nation, as the agency begins collecting data for the final phase of the 2016 Agricultural Resource Management Survey (ARMS). Sponsored ContentFlorida Cattle Enhancement Board Allows Viable Research in the Cattle IndustryFebruary 6, 2026Florida Cattle Enhancement Board Track Record …
Final Rule to Allow Lemons from Northwest Argentina into the Continental United States
The U.S. Department of Agriculture’s (USDA) Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service (APHIS) is publishing a final rule to allow the importation of fresh lemon fruit from northwest Argentina into the continental United States. Over the last 10 years, APHIS has thoroughly reviewed Argentina’s citrus production and packing practices and fully evaluated pest risks to U.S. agriculture. The review included …