The National Pork Producers Council is challenging California’s Prop 12 in court. Prop 12 establishes specific minimum size requirements for the confinement spaces of laying hens, veal calves, and breeding pigs. Livestock products from animals raised outside of California in confinements that don’t meet the minimum requirements cannot get sold in the state. Michael Formica…… MORE
Category Archives: Agriculture News
USDA Cancels Farmers to Family Food Box Program
Agriculture Secretary Tom Vilsack told House lawmakers the Department of Agriculture is ending the Farmers to Families Food Box program. Representative David Valadao, a California Republican, stated, “although it wasn’t a perfect program, this program provided families with healthy, nutritious food items grown here in the U.S.,” asking Vilsack what USDA will do next.…… MORE
Farm Tractor Sales Up
Farm tractor unit sales extended their growth streak to eleven straight months in our nation. U.S. total farm tractor sales rose 84.1% in March compared to March of last year. Meanwhile, U.S. combine sales grew 6.7%. Curt Blades AEM, Senior Vice President of Ag Services, says, “It’s not just the length of time of this…… MORE
Mixed Ag Economic Outlook
The U.S. economy continues to outperform expectations as stimulus funds are fueling robust consumer spending. Forecasts point to 7% GDP growth for 2021, the fastest rate of expansion since 1984, according to CoBank. The transition to a less COVID-restricted world has begun. But for the economy and rural industries, CoBank says there will be…… MORE
Coalition Seeks More Conservation Funding
Seventy of the top agriculture, conservation, and wildlife groups delivered a letter to Congress asking for robust funding for conservation programs and technical assistance for the fiscal year 2022. In the letter, groups like the American Farmland Trust, the National Association of Conservation Districts, and many others called on House and Senate appropriators to…… MORE
Ag Innovation Challenge Now Open
The American Farm Bureau Federation, in partnership with Farm Credit, has opened online applications for the 2022 Farm Bureau Ag Innovation Challenge. The national business competition showcases U.S. startup companies that are providing solutions to challenges faced by America’s farmers, ranchers and rural communities. Farm Bureau will award $165,000 in startup funds provided by…… MORE
Gov Asked To Declare Water Crisis
According to a news release from state Senator Andreas Borgeas, he along with a group of bipartisan lawmakers are requesting Governor Gavin Newsom to declare a statewide emergency in response to limited water supplies in California for this year. The request comes after the Department of Water Resources announced a slim 5% water allocation for…… MORE
Ag Economy Barometer up
The Ag Economy Barometer rose in March to 177, the highest reading for the barometer since the record high reading of 184 in October. Organizers say this month’s 12-point rise in the barometer was attributable almost entirely to ag producers’ more optimistic view of the future. Strong ag commodity prices and improved farm financial…… MORE
USDA Reopens CFAP2 Enrollment
The Department of Agriculture is reopening the signup window for the CFAP 2, the Coronavirus Food Assistance Program. CFAP 2 provides financial assistance that gives producers the ability to absorb increased marketing costs associated with the COVID-19 pandemic. The initial CFAP 2 signup ended in December, but USDA has reopened the signup period for…… MORE
Feed Industry Supports Trade Promotion
The American Feed Industry Association commends Ag Secretary Tom Vilsack for his leadership in asking Congress to renew Trade Promotion Authority legislation. AFIA’s President and CEO Constance Cullman says the animal feed and pet food industries are encouraged by Secretary Vilsack’s recognition of the importance of renewing TPA and is hopeful that the Biden…… MORE
