Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) Administrator Scott Pruitt is touting a directive he signed this week to end the EPA’s so-called “sue and settle” strategy, a practice agriculture groups opposed. Pruitt …
Initial Progress Made on U.S.-Japan Trade Issues
The U.S. and Japan in a joint statement said the two nations have made “initial progress” on trade issues. The statement comes as Vice President Mike Pence talked with Japan’s …
NAFTA Commodity Groups Unite to Urge Negotiation Success
U.S. commodity export groups, along with counterparts from Canada and Mexico, are reiterating their support for free trade. The U.S. Grains Council, along with the U.S. Soybean Export Council, National …
Canada “Flatly Rejects” U.S. Dairy Proposal
Wrapping up the fourth round of talks on the North American Free Trade Agreement (NAFTA), the U.S. proposed a dismantling of Canada’s dairy supply management system. Bloomberg reports Canada “flatly …
NCBA on GIPSA Rule Withdrawal: “Victory for Cattle Producers and Consumers”
Colin Woodall, the National Cattlemen’s Beef Association’s (NCBA) Senior Vice President, Government Affairs, released the following statement in response to USDA’s decision to withdraw its controversial Grain Inspection, Packers and …
USDA Invests in Research on Next Generation of Agricultural Technology
The U.S. Department of Agriculture’s (USDA) National Institute of Food and Agriculture (NIFA) announced 17 grants for research on the next generation of agricultural technologies and systems to meet the …
US Forest Service Actively Involved in California Wildfire Response
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 …