…endangered and threatened species. In return for enrolling in CRP, USDA, through the Farm Service Agency (FSA) on behalf of the Commodity Credit Corporation, provides participants with rental payments and…
Secretary Perdue Statement on Confirmation of Censky & McKinney
…sell more American agricultural products in foreign markets. We eagerly await their arrival at USDA, and urge the Senate to continue to act on other nominees who are awaiting confirmation.”…
Training Courses to Fulfill Part of Produce Safety Rule
A series of Produce Safety Alliance Grower Training Courses are being offered throughout California to fulfill part of the Food Safety Modernization Act’s Produce Safety Rule beginning at the end…
Agriculture Groups Support Farm Guest Worker Bill
Agriculture groups are expressing support for the Agricultural Guestworker Act of 2017. The bill would create an H-2C visa program that will allow American farmers, packers and processors access to…
Farmers, Ranchers Ready for Long-overdue Immigration Reform
…risk. We cannot afford to see any more of our nation’s food supply lost in the fields. “The Ag Act’s proposed guest worker visa program would bring much-needed improvements to…
Water Board OKs Hike in Water Quality Fees
…The WDPF houses funds for: National Pollution Discharge Elimination System; storm water; waste discharge requirements (or general orders); land disposal; Clean Water Act 401 certification; confined animal facilities; the ILRP…
GMO’s Take New Approach with Non-Browning Apples
…to pesticides or insects through transferring new DNA from another species into plants. The difference with Arctic Apples is they have been engineered within the genome of the same plant…
“i5k” is for Insects
The “i5k Initiative” aims to sequence and analyze the genomes of at least 5,000 important insect species. Photo courtesy of i5k Initiative. Nearly 75 percent of all animal species are…
Tomato Crop Coming in Lighter than Expected
…resistant to race 3 are available, the wilt is being seen in new areas and more often in old ones; there are other fusarium species to watch for as well,…
USDA Agency-led Group Profiles U.S. Aquaculture for World Report
…and marine species is a chief focus of the first State of the World’s Aquatic Genetic Resources for Food and Agriculture. The Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) report will contain…
FMD Language Included in Defense Authorization Act
The National Defense Authorization Act approved last week includes language to require an analysis on Foot and Mouth Disease or FMD. Language included in the bill by Iowa Republican Senator…
Broomrape Concerns California Tomato Industry
A broomrape species has been causing some concern for California tomato growers after the discovery of Branched broomrape in a 70-acre field north of Woodland. The weed was initially found…
Best Breeds for Livestock Guard Dogs
…task of being a true work animal, guarding livestock and keeping predators at bay. There are several dozen breeds, actually. But the absolute very best L-G-D’s to keep tabs on…
Proposed Guest Worker Plan to Replace H-2A Worker Program
Virginia Republican Representative Bob Goodlatte will introduce a bill the week of September 25th that would replace the H-2A guest worker program. The bill is titled the Agricultural Guestworker Act…