California farmers and ranchers saw some growth for the crop year 2017, according to the California Agricultural Statistics Review that was recently released. The total value of sales improved by…
Checkoff-Funded Beef Quality Assurance Program’s Online Certification Option Reaches Major Milestone
…estimated 80 percent of the U.S. fed beef supply now touched by BQA-certified operations. The beef checkoff-funded BQA program is a nationally coordinated, state implemented program that provides systematic…
Chinese Trade Conditions May Be Poised to Improve
…continuing to develop positively. “The talks also focused on China’s pledge to purchase a substantial amount of agricultural, energy, manufactured goods, and other products and services from the United States. …
Plenty of Agriculture Trade Opportunities for U.S. and Europe
…a potential free trade agreement, European agricultural leaders said during a workshop at the American Farm Bureau Federation’s 100th Annual Convention. U.S. farmers and farm state lawmakers have pushed hard…
Farm Bureau Gives Agricultural Trade Outlook for 2019
…Canada and end Canada’s Class 7 pricing. It will also keep agricultural tariffs between the U.S. and Mexico at zero. Salmonsen said that the U.S. has also begun trade negotiations…
Navigating the H-2A Guest Worker Program
…when Congress failed to pass H.R.4092 (Agricultural Guestworker Act or the AG Act) in 2018. The bill addressed many of the concerns farmers have with the current system. It would…
More Virulent Newcastle Disease in Commercial Poultry
The United States Department of Agriculture’s (USDA) Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service (APHIS) has found more virulent Newcastle disease in two commercial poultry operations in California. The latest discoveries…
ELD Exemption Remains in Place During Government Shutdown
…will remain in place until further notice. Drivers do not need to carry any documentation regarding this exemption.” The ELD rule replaces the historical practice of documenting Hours of Service…
Farm Bureau Welcomes President Trump Back to Address Annual Convention
…celebrate 100 years of Farm Bureau than to welcome the president of the United States to our centennial celebration?” Other national officials attending the AFBF Annual Convention include Agriculture Secretary…
Western View: Why Water Management Matters
…agricultural publications since the 1980s. He was a regular contributor to California Farmer Magazine. His commentary “The Western View” is a regular feature on Farm City Newsday and AgNet West….
Hopes to Curb Agribusiness Consolidation as New Congress Takes Office
…issue of agricultural consolidation is a serious one which has spawned several lawsuits in recent years with claims that large ag businesses are collaborating to suppress grower wages. A study from…
Celebrating National Apricot Day
…they’re quite commonly dried so that way we can enjoy them year round. Apricot lovers recognize today as National Apricot Day. The apricot’s velvety flesh is similar to that of…
USDA Extends Deadline for Market Facilitation Program Applications
The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) has announced an extension to the original deadline for Market Facilitation Program applications. Agricultural producers who are seeking payments through the program, which is…
New Overtime Requirements Need Attention
…This will be the first year in a multi-year process which will ultimately end with agricultural employees working an eight-hour day in a 40-hour workweek by 2022. The reduction of…