Alongside its local, State and Federal partners, the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s U.S. Forest Service remains actively involved in response to wildfires in California. While these fires are not on National …
Pork Producers Applaud Withdraw Of GIPSA Rules
The Trump administration announced it will withdraw regulations related to the buying and selling of livestock, a move strongly commended by the National Pork Producers Council, which opposed the Obama-era …
Wildfire Impact to Linger for California Wine Country
Wildfires that spread through California’s wine country will leave a lasting mark on the industry and its tourism. The Sacramento Bee newspaper reports that the state’s wine industry in Napa …
U.S. Pork Production Expanding
Rabobank predicts steady growth for the pork industry. A new report by Rabobank says increased production and additional processing capacity, and the likely improvement of margins will help the U.S. …
Weed Scientist Has Doubts Over Dicamba Restrictions Effectiveness
The Environmental Protection Agency last week declared dicamba under it’s “restricted use” category, but a weed scientist from Illinois has doubts the new restrictions will be beneficial. Aaron Hager, a …
NAFTA Talks Turn to Agriculture, Dairy
The U.S. wants to reverse Canada’s dairy supply management system as part of the North American Free Trade Agreement (NAFTA) renegotiation. U.S. negotiators centered on the agriculture chapter of NAFTA …
Secretary Ross Reflects on Visit to Wine Country Fire Zones
by Karen Ross, Secretary, California Department of Food and Agriculture Over the weekend I traveled with Governor Brown and Senators Feinstein and Harris to Santa Rosa for meetings with local elected …
Tractor Sales Fall in September
Overall sales of tractors were lower in September compared to last year. The Association of Equipment Manufacturers monthly report on equipment sales found the sale of all tractors in the …
BASF to Acquire Bayer’s Crop Science Unit
BASF has signed an agreement to purchase Bayer’s Crop Science business for $7 billion. BASF is purchasing Bayer seeds for mainstay crops including cotton and soybean, plus the herbicide brand …
EPA Announced Dicamba Label Changes
The Environmental Protection Agency Friday announced new restrictions for dicamba-based herbicides, classifying dicamba as a restricted-use product. The EPA said that only certified pesticide applicators, or people under their supervision, …
Business Leaders Push to Keep KORUS Intact
Business leaders from the U.S. and Korea are pressing South Korea and the United States to “eliminate the uncertainty” around the U.S.-Korea Free Trade Agreement, known as KORUS. The U.S.-Korea …
U.S., Japan, Planning Another Trade Meeting
Vice President Mike Pence is meeting with Japan Monday in Washington. D.C. to talk trade. Politico reports that Pence and Japan’s Deputy Prime Minister will meet for the second round …
Preparing to Evacuate During Wildfire? These Checklists Can Help
As more than 20 major wildfires are burning in Northern California, residents in those regions need to be ready to evacuate on short notice. The wind-driven fires are moving quickly …
Pastureland Values Hit New High
The average value of pastureland across America took a jump from last year. The average value is $1,350 per acre, up 1.5 percent from 2016. That value is a record-high …