The U.S. Department of Agriculture plans to finalize GMO disclosure standards within a nine-month time frame, what Politico calls a breakneck pace for any rulemaking. USDA in that timeframe will …
Dow Degree Day Report: NOW in Pistachios, June 12
Dow AgroSciences and Intrepid Edge insecticide bring us the Navel Orangeworm (NOW) Degree Day Report for pistachios as of June 12. Degree days are determined using the calculator at the …
Critical Agricultural Water Resources Issues Funded
The U.S. Department of Agriculture’s (USDA) National Institute of Food and Agriculture (NIFA) announced 14 grants totaling more than $9 million to help solve critical water problems in rural and …
AFBF Details NAFTA Renegotiation Priorities
The North American Free Trade Agreement has been overwhelmingly beneficial for U.S. farmers and ranchers—and their counterparts in Canada and Mexico—but there are several good reasons to update and reform …
Vilsack Joins Feeding America Board
Former Agriculture Secretary Tom Vilsack has joined the board of directors of Feeding America, the nation’s largest anti-hunger organization. Feeding America represents 200 food banks across all 50 states in …
Syngenta, BASF, Seeking to Purchase Bayer’s LibertyLink Business
BASF and Syngenta are among the bidders to purchase Bayer’s LibertyLink business. Bloomberg Business News reports the two companies have submitted bids to buy the LibertyLink business that Bayer is …
Rural Unemployment Rates Declining
Unemployment rates in rural areas of the nation are steadily declining, a trend first started in 2010. Farm Journal’s AgWeb reports that rural and urban unemployment rates have since fallen …
Opposition Rising Against Perdue Rural Development Pick
Agriculture Secretary Sonny Perdue’s move to name Anne Hazlett as his assistant on rural development is drawing criticisms. Perdue announced Hazlett as his assistant on rural development this week, replacing …
Mexico Shopping for Non-U.S. Pork
Concerns over the U.S.-led effort to renegotiate the North American Free Trade Agreement has prompted Mexico to consider other options for pork imports. National Hog Farmer magazine reports U.S. pork …
China, U.S., Expected to Sign Dairy Agreement
The United States and China are expected to sign an agreement Thursday to promote U.S. dairy products. Politico reports the two countries are expected to sign a memorandum that will …
USDA Seeks Cotton Board Nominees
The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) is seeking nominations for candidates to fill 13 member and 13 alternate positions on the Cotton Board. The Cotton Board represents Domestic cotton producers …
Food Safety Practices and Costs Under the California Leafy Greens Marketing Agreement
Linda Calvin, Helen Jensen, Karen Klonsky, and Roberta Cook USDA Economic Research Service What Is the Issue? Foodborne illness linked to contaminated produce is a public health concern. The Food …
Duvall Praises Selection of Hazlett for Rural Development
The following may be attributed to American Farm Bureau Federation President Zippy Duvall: “Anne Hazlett brings a depth of experience on rural development issues that should benefit American farmers and …
Conservation and Forestry Subcommittee Highlights Importance of Watershed Maintenance in Rural America
The House Agriculture Subcommittee on Conservation and Forestry held a hearing to examine efforts to address small watershed infrastructure. Subcommittee Chairman Frank Lucas (OK-3) and members heard from two panels …