The National Pork Producers Council was encouraged that the Senate Committee on Agriculture, Nutrition and Forestry included in its 2018 Farm Bill — the text was released today (June 8, …
Farm Bureau Files Brief Supporting Water Rule Opponents
The American Farm Bureau Federation, together with a broad coalition of other farm and business groups, filed a brief in support of 13 states challenging the EPA’s 2015 “Waters of …
Senate Ag Plans Farm Bill Markup
The Senate Agriculture Committee Thursday announced it will consider the Senate version of the farm bill next week. Markup of the bill is planned for Wednesday, at 9:30 a.m. Eastern …
U.S. Offers List of Ag Concessions Wanted From China
The U.S. apparently wants more from China than a promise to buy more U.S. agricultural goods. Politico reports that U.S. officials have handed China a list of agricultural trade barriers …
Accurate Labels Act Introduced
Lawmakers introduced the Accurate Labels Act in the Senate Thursday, a bill that supporters say would provide American consumers nationwide with clear, accurate and meaningful nutrition information. Introduced by Republican …
FCC Chairman Proposes Rural Healthcare Funding Increase
Federal Communications Commission (FCC) Chairman Ajit Pai announced this week that he has circulated a draft order to his colleagues that would significantly increase funding for the Universal Service Fund’s …
USDA Announces $309 Million Investment in Rural Electric Utilities
Loans Will Improve System Efficiency and Resiliency in 12 States Assistant to the Secretary for Rural Development Anne Hazlett announced that USDA is investing $309 million in 16 projects (PDF, 107 KB) …
Bayer Closes Monsanto Acquisition
Bayer successfully completed the acquisition of Monsanto on Thursday. Shares in the U.S. company will no longer be traded on the New York Stock Exchange, with Bayer now the sole …
USDA Announces Producer Approval of California Federal Milk Marketing Order
The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) announced that California dairy producers have voted to approve a Federal Milk Marketing Order (FMMO) for the entire State of California. As a result …
More Tariffs From Mexico Planned
More tariffs are expected from Mexico after the nation announced its 20 percent tariff on U.S. pork earlier this week. The list of tariffs from Mexico includes apples, cheeses, potatoes, …
Canada Seeking Answers Regarding U.S. Farmer Support Funds
Canada wants the U.S. to explain an additional $30 billion made available to support farmers harmed by trade woes, and how the U.S. might distribute the funds. Canada made the …
No RFS Changes From the White House, For Now
President Trump indicated he would not be signing a White House proposal that was “bad for farmers,” referring to the proposal offering changes to the Renewable Fuel Standard. The pledge …
More Than 20,000 Dairy Farms Have Signed up for MPP
The Department of Agriculture this week said more than 20,000 dairy farmers have enrolled in the Dairy Margin Protection Program, which enrollment for closes Friday. USDA undersecretary Bill Northey told …
Court Sides Against R-CALF in COOL Dispute
A U.S. District Court this week said alleged financial harm to U.S. beef producers was “fairly traceable” to the Department of Agriculture. A lawsuit, filed by R-CALF USA, alleged that …