U.S. Trade Representative Robert Lighthizer is disappointed with a World Trade Organization report that says U.S. actions to combat China’s widespread theft of American technology were inconsistent with WTO rules. Lighthizer says the WTO panel report confirms what the Trump Administration has been saying all along. “The WTO is completely inadequate to stop China’s…… MORE
Category Archives: Agriculture News
Ag Equipment Sales Climb
Unit sales of agricultural tractors and self-propelled combines in August were positive for the fifth month in a row in the U.S. The trend also stayed above the previous year for the third consecutive month in Canada. The latest data from the Association of Equipment Manufacturers shows U.S. total farm tractor sales rose 12.8%…… MORE
USDA Needs Input on Ag Innovation
To further the USDA’s work on its Agricultural Innovation Agenda, the agency is asking for public-and-private-sector input on the most innovative technologies and practices that can be readily deployed across the country. USDA is looking for ready-to-go technologies and practices that will help achieve its goal of increasing agricultural production by 40% to help…… MORE
Trump and Biden on Farm Issues
A new questionnaire reveals the priorities for rural America of President Donald Trump and former Vice President Joe Biden. The American Farm Bureau Federation asked the Republican and Democratic candidates to respond with their stances on several topics directly affecting rural America. President Trump’s responses focus largely on his first-term accomplishments. He pledges a…… MORE
Cal Ag Cash Receipts Top $50 Billion
The California Department of Food and Agriculture is posting on its website that in 2019, California’s farms and ranches received more than $50 billion in cash receipts for their output. This represents a slight increase over reported cash receipts for 2018. California’s agricultural abundance includes more than 400 commodities. Over a third of the country’s…… MORE
Farmers Strongly Support Trump
A new Farm Futures poll shows farmers significantly plan to support President Donald Trump in the November election. The poll asked the question, “If the presidential election was held today, would you vote for President Trump?” Just over 1,000 producers responded, with 75% saying yes. In 2018, 60% said yes to the same question,…… MORE
USDA Offers Wildfire Help to Farmers
According to a USDA news release, since California agricultural operations have been significantly impacted by the wildfires, and the U.S. Department of Agriculture has technical and financial assistance available to help farmers and livestock producers recover. As agricultural producers move into recovery mode and assess damages, they should contact their local USDA Service Center…… MORE
Farmers Optimism
Farmers were more optimistic in August, as the Purdue University-CME Group Ag Economy Barometer rose to a reading of 144, 26 points higher than a month earlier. Organizers say the improvement resulted from improved perceptions regarding current conditions and better expectations for the future. The Index of Current Conditions rose 13 points in August…… MORE
California Challenges Trump NEPA Changes
A group of 27 attorneys generals filed a lawsuit challenging changes to the National Environmental Policy Act. Led by California and Washington, the coalition claims the changes are unlawful and limits public participation in the review process. In the lawsuit, the coalition argues that the final rule abandons informed decision making, public participation and…… MORE
West Nile Virus Prevention
The California Department of Food and Agriculture says that a total of six California horses have tested positive in recent weeks for West Nile Virus, with three of the cases in the Central Valley, one in the Sierra foothills, and two in Riverside County. Two of the horses have died. According to a…… MORE
