The monthly survey of tractor sales in the U.S. shows increases in May. The Association of Equipment Manufacturers reports the sale of all tractors in the U.S. in May 2017 …
Meat Industry Lobbyist Injured in DC Area Shooting
A lobbyist for Tyson Foods was reported as one of the five victims wounded in the Washington, D.C. area shooting that targeted a Republican congressional baseball team practice. A spokesperson …
New Zealand to Visit U.S. to Talk Trade
Trade officials from New Zealand will meet with U.S. Trade Representative Robert Lighthizer and other U.S. trade officials. The New Zealand government says the nation’s Trade Minister Todd McClay will …
No USDA Nominees Until September
Agriculture Secretary Sonny Perdue told lawmakers this week he may be the lone political appointment at the Department of Agriculture until September, or later. Currently, 15 executive posts at USDA …
USDA to Speed Through GMO Labeling Rule
The U.S. Department of Agriculture plans to finalize GMO disclosure standards within a nine-month time frame, what Politico calls a breakneck pace for any rulemaking. USDA in that timeframe will …
Critical Agricultural Water Resources Issues Funded
The U.S. Department of Agriculture’s (USDA) National Institute of Food and Agriculture (NIFA) announced 14 grants totaling more than $9 million to help solve critical water problems in rural and …
AFBF Details NAFTA Renegotiation Priorities
The North American Free Trade Agreement has been overwhelmingly beneficial for U.S. farmers and ranchers—and their counterparts in Canada and Mexico—but there are several good reasons to update and reform …
Vilsack Joins Feeding America Board
Former Agriculture Secretary Tom Vilsack has joined the board of directors of Feeding America, the nation’s largest anti-hunger organization. Feeding America represents 200 food banks across all 50 states in …
Syngenta, BASF, Seeking to Purchase Bayer’s LibertyLink Business
BASF and Syngenta are among the bidders to purchase Bayer’s LibertyLink business. Bloomberg Business News reports the two companies have submitted bids to buy the LibertyLink business that Bayer is …
Rural Unemployment Rates Declining
Unemployment rates in rural areas of the nation are steadily declining, a trend first started in 2010. Farm Journal’s AgWeb reports that rural and urban unemployment rates have since fallen …
Opposition Rising Against Perdue Rural Development Pick
Agriculture Secretary Sonny Perdue’s move to name Anne Hazlett as his assistant on rural development is drawing criticisms. Perdue announced Hazlett as his assistant on rural development this week, replacing …
Mexico Shopping for Non-U.S. Pork
Concerns over the U.S.-led effort to renegotiate the North American Free Trade Agreement has prompted Mexico to consider other options for pork imports. National Hog Farmer magazine reports U.S. pork …
China, U.S., Expected to Sign Dairy Agreement
The United States and China are expected to sign an agreement Thursday to promote U.S. dairy products. Politico reports the two countries are expected to sign a memorandum that will …
USDA Seeks Cotton Board Nominees
The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) is seeking nominations for candidates to fill 13 member and 13 alternate positions on the Cotton Board. The Cotton Board represents Domestic cotton producers …