Senate Ag Committee Approves Vaden as USDA General Counsel

Dan Industry News Release

Despite concerns, the Senate Agriculture Committee advanced the nomination of Stephen Vaden as the Department of Agriculture’s general counsel this week. The nomination moves on to the full Senate for a vote. The committee approved the nomination on a 14 to 7 vote, Senate Agriculture ranking Democrat Debbie Stabenow, along with fellow Democrats Heidi Heitkamp and Joe Donnelly, joined all …

USDA Ends Prevented Planting +10 Percent Option

Dan Industry News Release

The Department of Agriculture has ended a ten percent higher crop insurance coverage option for prevented planting claims. In a memo sent out to insurers and USDA’s Risk Management Agency field offices, USDA eliminated the Prevented Planting +10 Percent Option for the 2018 crop year and future crop years. USDA kept the five percent option for farmers, though analysis shows …

USDA to Allow States Flexibility for SNAP

Dan Industry News Release

The U.S. Ag Department (USDA) sent a letter to state administrators of the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) advising them that changes will be coming to the program. The Hagstrom Report says USDA will allow states more flexibility in managing SNAP. Brandon Lipps, the acting undersecretary for food, nutrition, and consumers services says the USDA will allow more flexibility in …

USDA Announces Sorghum Checkoff Board Appointments

Dan Industry News Release

Agriculture Secretary Sonny Perdue announced the appointment of five members to serve on the United Sorghum Checkoff Program Board. The producers appointed to serve three year terms are: Klint G. Stewart Columbus, Neb. Carlton Bridgeforth, Decatur, Ala. Verity Ulibarri, Melrose, N.M. Shayne C. Suppes, Scott City, Kan. Charles Ray Huddleston, Celina, Texas “The United Sorghum Checkoff Program helps sorghum producers …

Perdue: U.S. Farm Exports to Continue Strong in FY 2018

Dan Exports/Imports, Industry News Release

Secretary of Agriculture Sonny Perdue issued the following statement regarding the latest U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) export forecast. “This quarterly trade forecast reflects the fact that U.S. agricultural exports are continuing strong in the 2018 fiscal year. We just closed out FY 2017 with the third-highest export total on record and I’m delighted to see that FY 2018 is …

Dairy Producers Reminded of December 15 Deadline

Dan Dairy, Industry News Release

USDA’s Farm Service Agency (FSA) reminds dairy producers that December 15, 2017 is the deadline to enroll for 2018 coverage in the Margin Protection Program (MPP-Dairy).  Additional flexibility was added this year which provides dairy producers the option of opting out of the program for 2018. In order to opt out, a producer should not sign up during the annual registration …

FSA County Election Deadline Looming

Dan Industry News Release

The deadline to return Farm Service Agency county committee election ballots is approaching. The Department of Agriculture says eligible producers must return the ballots to their local FSA office, or be postmarked by December 4th, 2017, to ensure their votes are counted. FSA acting administrator Steve Peterson says approximately 1.5 million producers are eligible to vote in this year’s election, …

USDA Provides Tips and Resources for a Bacteria-Free Thanksgiving

Dan Industry News Release, Poultry

More than 45 million turkeys are eaten on Thanksgiving Day, with a never-ending list of side dishes and desserts. The Thanksgiving meal is by far the largest and most stressful meal many consumers prepare all year, leaving room for mistakes that can make guests sick. But never fear, the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) Food Safety and Inspection Service (FSIS) …