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
…urging the Trump administration to withdraw or limit the benefits Thailand receives under the preferential trade program, which gives duty-free treatment to certain goods entering the United States. The program…
Senate Farm Bill Markup Expected Soon
…the House have refused to support the Republican-led effort in the chamber because of changes to the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program. From the National Association of Farm Broadcasting News Service….
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…
Nationwide Reveals Most Common Agribusiness Insurance Claims
Motor vehicle accidents top the list of insurance claims in farming in agribusiness. Accident scene involving a tractor overturn fatality. Photo courtesy of Iowa FACE Program. A statement from Nationwide…
USDA Backs Off on Organic Checkoff Program
…overseen the program under the direction of USDA. It would have assessed organic producers with annual gross revenues of more than $250,000 to fund the program, which OTA estimated would…
OTA Comments on USDA Halting Organic Checkoff Proposal
…USDA says the decision is “based on uncertain industry support” for the program and “substantive issues” with the proposed program. The Organic Trade Association however says the USDA actions reflects…
Farm Bill May Have Enough Votes in House for Passage
…vote against the legislation by Minority Leader Nancy Pelosi. Democrats remain opposed to the stricter work requirements in the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance program as part of the Republican-drafted farm bill….
Starling Moves from White House to USDA
…day that Secretary Perdue announced new leadership for the Farm Service Agency and the Food Safety and Inspection Service. Former Missouri Agriculture Director and state FSA Director Richard Fordyce was…
Canada, China, Talking Trade
…target by Canada to grow global agriculture and food exports to $75 billion by 2025, according to Canadian Minister of Agriculture Lawrence MacAulay. Officials from Canada, including MacAulay, are in…
USDA Proposes Rule to Eliminate Redundant Hog Carcass Cleaning Regulation
The Department of Agriculture last week proposed to amend federal meat inspection regulations to repeal what USDA calls a redundant regulatory requirement for hog slaughter establishments. The Food Safety and…
Perdue Names Bruce Summers AMS Administrator
…Bruce will build on his great record of success.” AMS administers programs that create domestic and international marketing opportunities for U.S. producers of food, fiber, and specialty crops through voluntary…
Farmers Focus on Consumer’s Wants, Nutritional Value Food Labels
…and looks at the nutritional value food label listed on their food they often become confused. “What that researched showed is that people do tend to be confused,” Thompson-Weeman said….
House Will Take Up Farm Bill This Week
…say no Democrat will vote for the bill because of the changes it would make to the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP). After a meeting with President Trump at the…