The Ag Economy Barometer plummeted in April, declining to a reading of 115, an 18-point decline compared to March when the index stood at 133. The 18-point decline in the index was the fourth largest one-month fall in the barometer since data collection began in October 2015. Organizers say the barometer’s decline was driven…… MORE
Category Archives: Agriculture News
USDA Organic Certification Help
Federal funds are available to help farmers applying for receiving and maintaining organic certification through the Organic Certification Cost Share Program. The Department of Agriculture’s Farm Service Agency announced the funding this week. The program provides cost-share assistance up to 75 percent of certification costs each year to producers and handlers of agricultural products…… MORE
President & Republican Senators Talk Tariffs
Republican Senators met with President Donald Trump to discuss steel and aluminum tariffs and the effect they’re having on possible passage of the U.S.-Mexico-Canada Trade Agreement. Bloomberg says the senators talked about economic and political concerns on the tariffs, the negotiations with China, as well as new tariffs that Trump is threatening to impose…… MORE
California Livestock Fire Survey
The University of California Davis School of Veterinary Medicine is investigating how California livestock producers who manage cattle, horses, sheep, goats, pigs and other animals have been impacted by wildfires in the last 10 years. The 10-15 minute survey will collect information on animal, production, feed, grazing, and property losses. Study organizers say the data…… MORE
New Poll on Farmer Mental Health
A majority of farmers and farmworkers say financial issues, farm or business problems and fear of losing the farm impact farmers’ mental health. Other factors included stress, weather, the economy, isolation and social stigma, according to a new national poll by Morning Consult commissioned by the American Farm Bureau Federation. Polling found that many…… MORE
USDA Dairy Coverage Web Tool
A new web-based tool helps dairy producers evaluate various scenarios using different coverage levels through the new Dairy Margin Coverage program. Agriculture Secretary Sonny Perdue says the tool was developed by the Department of Agriculture and the University of Wisconsin. The tool is designed to help producers determine the level of coverage under a variety…… MORE
USDA Extends Market Facilitation Program Deadline
The Department of Agriculture is extending the deadline to May 17th from May 1st for almond and other producers to certify 2018 crop production for payments through the Market Facilitation Program. The trade relief program payments will be issued only if eligible producers certify acres before the updated May 17th deadline. Farm Service Agency…… MORE
Agriculture Consensus on Labor Fixes
Ag industry lobbyists tell Politico that the industry appears to have come together to reach consensus on a potential fix to the shortage in farm labor. Politico reports that the potential fix would give workers a path to legalization for farm laborers currently in the country. It would also expand the H-2A foreign guest…… MORE
Congress to Return with Push for USMCA
Lawmakers return to Washington next week with a renewed industry push to approve the U.S.-Mexico-Canada Agreement. Following the International Trade Commission Report, few steps remain to reach implementation. Vice President Mike Pence touted the deal during a stop in Michigan this week, and a road tour from Farmers for Free Trade is crossing the…… MORE
U.S.-China Trade Talks Resume Next Week
U.S. Trade Representative Robert Lighthizer will travel to China to meet with trade officials along with Treasury Secretary Steve Mnuchin. China is also expected to return to the U.S. for negotiations on May 8th. Next week’s discussions will cover intellectual property, forced technology transfer, non-tariff barriers, agriculture, services, purchases, and enforcement, according to a…… MORE
