The Western Growers Association’s Foundation will host a Shark Tank TV-like competition during the Association’s annual meeting next month. The competition, sponsored by Seed 2 Growth Ventures, seeks to identify …
Egypt Downplaying Wheat Cargo Denials
The world’s largest wheat buyer is backing away from recent comments regarding poppy seeds found in wheat shipments. Egypt has rejected two cargoes of wheat for import after testing found …
Lighthizer Presses Taiwan on Ag Trade Barriers
Trade Representative Robert Lighthizer highlighted the need to address trade barriers between the U.S. and Taiwan last week. During a meeting with Thailand’s Minister of Commerce, Lighthizer said Thailand needs …
Senators Want Action on Brazil Ethanol Tariff
A group of Midwestern Senators is urging U.S. Trade Representative Robert Lighthizer to respond to Brazil’s 20 percent ethanol tariff on imports over 600 million liters, or 158 million gallons. …
Mexico Considering Protections in NAFTA
A potential counterproposal by Mexico could limit pork leg imports from the United States under the North American Free Trade Agreement. As renegotiation efforts continue, Mexico may counter a proposal …
SNAP Draws Strong Praise
The Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program, SNAP, drew strong praise, and even an emotional defense during testimony before the Senate Agriculture Committee last week. SNAP works and should not be scaled …
Farm Aid Concert Served Certified Humane Meats
Willie Nelson’s Farm Aid annual concert over the weekend in Pennsylvania served Certified Humane meats as part of its “Homegrown Concessions. Niman (Nye-man) Ranch partnered with Legends Hospitality to feature …
China Poultry Safety Standard Similar to U.S.
The Department of Agriculture last week quietly released an audit report of China’s inspection system for poultry processing. The audit says China’s system is equivalent to U.S. systems and standards. …
Ag Organizations Support Northey, Ibach Nominations
More than 20 agriculture organizations recently sent a letter to the Senate Agriculture Committee expressing support for Department of Agriculture Nominees Bill Northey and Greg Ibach. The letter, initiated by …
Farm Bill This Fall “High Hurdle” for Senate
Getting the farm bill done this fall is a “high hurdle,” according to Senate Agriculture Committee Chairman Pat Roberts. The Kansas Republican told reporters last week it would be easier …
Japan Interested in Multi-nation Trade Agreements, Not Bilateral Trade
Leaders from Japan told a Nebraska trade delegation last week that Japan is not interested in a bilateral trade agreement with the United States. Instead, Japan told Nebraska Governor Pete …
Young Producer’s Perspective on the Dairy Business
It’s a life of high risk and high reward. Dairy farmers face their share of challenges, including a volatile market and unpredictable input costs — however, there are young people …
USDA/NIFA Needs Stakeholder Input on Food, Agriculture Priorities
The U.S. Department of Agriculture’s (USDA) National Institute of Food and Agriculture (NIFA) is soliciting stakeholder input on the emerging needs and opportunities in food and agricultural sciences. Through this …
Forest Service Wildland Fire Suppression Costs Exceed $2 Billion
Secretary Perdue Renews Call for Congress to Fix “Fire Borrowing” Problem U.S. Secretary of Agriculture Sonny Perdue today announced that wildland fire suppression costs for the fiscal year have exceeded …