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 …
Almond Update: Subjective Forecast Eases Damage Concerns
The subjective forecast for the 2018 almond crop is 2.3 billion pounds. That’s a 1.3% increase over last year’s production. Of course this is good news for the industry, even …
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 …
Nationwide Reveals Most Common Agribusiness Insurance Claims
Motor vehicle accidents top the list of insurance claims in farming in agribusiness. A statement from Nationwide Insurance says that accidents, workers compensation and misapplication of chemicals or drift issues, …
Almond Matters: Industry Trends and Concerns
In today’s Almond Matters, brought to you by Valent U.S.A., Burchell Nursery product development and plant breeder John Slaughter provides insight on some of the trends and concerns for the …
Proposed Tariff Hearings Underway in Washington
Hearings are underway in Washington, D.C. on a proposed list of Chinese products the U.S. has targeted with 25 percent tariff. The three-day event features testimony from more than 100 …
Trump Exploring Exports Under RFS, Scaling Back Hardship Waivers, E15 Sales
The Trump Administration will scale back hardship waivers under the Renewable Fuel Standard, according to Reuters. A source tells Reuters that the move includes counting ethanol exports towards biofuel usage …
OTA Comments on USDA Halting Organic Checkoff Proposal
The Department of Agriculture has stopped consideration of a national organic checkoff program. The Agricultural Marketing Service published the proposal this week to terminate the rulemaking for the organic checkoff. …
Farmers Union Urges USDA to Proactively Address Farm Suicide Crisis
The National Farmers Union says many farmers and ranchers are coping with alarming levels of stress, and that farmers and ranchers commit suicide at a rate five times that of …