“When you first start farming, you have ideas of what you want to do to be sustainable and successful, but you can’t afford it,” says 39-year old John Vars of …
Dairy Groups Applaud Defeat of Raw Milk Amendment to 2018 Farm Bill
Overwhelming opposition from a strong coalition of dairy farmers, processors, consumer groups, food safety advocates, federal and state public health regulators, the medical community, and other key stakeholders led to …
House Expects Farm Bill Vote on Friday
The House of Representatives continues its debate on the 2018 Farm Bill through Thursday evening, with the final vote on passage coming up on Friday. The Hagstrom Report says House …
NAFTA 2.0 Likely Not Done This Year
At the Thursday, May 17 deadline for the North American Free Trade Agreement (NAFTA) negotiations, there isn’t an agreement in place and no end in sight to negotiations. Politico says …
Cargill Survey: Consumers Believe Their Food is Safe
A recent survey by Cargill shows that approximately three-quarters of Americans plan to grab an apron and spatula to get grilling as the weather warms up. As consumers grill steaks, …
Perdue Applauds Red Tape Reduction for Farmers
U.S. Secretary of Agriculture Sonny Perdue applauded the removal of a burdensome regulation that has long plagued family farms. The rule requiring producers to obtain Data Universal Number System (DUNS) …
Under Secretary McKinney to Lead Southern China Trade Mission
U.S. Department of Agriculture Under Secretary for Trade and Foreign Agricultural Affairs Ted McKinney will lead a trade mission to Guangzhou and Shenzhen, China, May 21-May 25, accompanied by a …
Cotton Producers Reminded of May 31 CGCS Deadline
Cotton producers are being reminded that sign-up for the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s (USDA) Cotton Ginning Cost Share (CGCS) program now runs until May 31, 2018. Under the program, which …
USTR To Review Thailand’s GSP Trade Benefits
The Office of the U.S. Trade Representative (USTR) has agreed with a request from the National Pork Producers Council to review Thailand’s eligibility for the U.S. Generalized System of Preferences …
Senate Farm Bill Markup Expected Soon
As the House of Representatives debates its version of the farm bill this week, the Senate is expected to hold a markup session on its version soon. Senate Agriculture Chairman …
Lawmakers Renew Call for Completing NAFTA This Week
The Chairman of the House Ways and Means Committee is echoing comments from House Speaker Paul Ryan, calling on the North American Free Trade Agreement (NAFTA) talks to conclude in …
Cargill Still Concerned About Likelihood of Trade War
Cargill remains concerned that the U.S. and China trade discussions will escalate into a trade war. In Comments sent to U.S. Trade Representative Robert Lighthizer, Cargill officials say the tariffs …
Controlled Environment Ag Growing
Controlled environment agriculture is growing rapidly, according to a new report from CoBank. Controlled environment agriculture, a technology-based approach toward food production to use optimal growing conditions, often indoors, occurs …
Equipment Groups Release Policy Survey Results
In April, the Equipment Dealers Association and the Association of Equipment Manufacturers surveyed their members about the impact of the Tax Cuts and Jobs Act and steel and aluminum tariffs …