Negotiations to finalize the next coronavirus relief package in Congress are far from the finish line, and so is aid for agriculture, according to the National Association of State Departments of Agriculture. The Senate Republican proposal includes a second round of $1,200 stimulus payments for individuals, extends additional unemployment payments by $200 a week…… MORE
Category Archives: Agriculture News
Mailed Seeds Pose Possible Crop Danger
Growing concerns around unsolicited seeds prompt at least 28 states to issue warnings not to plant the seeds. California and other states including Indiana joined the list of states this week, warning of the potential damage to agriculture. Don Robison, seed administrator for the Office of Indiana State Chemist, says, “The last thing we…… MORE
China Asks U.S. to Investigate Seed Mailings
The China seed saga continues as Chinese officials ask for packages from the U.S. to investigate. In a daily briefing with media, a spokesperson with China’s Foreign Affairs Ministry Tuesday stated China Post, China’s state-owned postal service, has contacted the U.S. Postal Service, asking it to send fake packages to China for investigation. The…… MORE
New USDA Help To Hire Workers
New features on the farmers.gov website will help facilitate the employment of H-2A workers. The Department of Agriculture says the new features include a real-time dashboard that enables farmers to track the status of their eligible employer application and visa applications for temporary nonimmigrant workers. Agriculture Secretary Sonny Perdue says USDA’s goal is to…… MORE
Glamburger Contest
The American Lamb Board launched its newest online promotion contest earlier this month, looking to keep up the momentum of getting more consumers to try lamb. They call it the “Glamburger.” The board says it’s a burger that features ground lamb that is “glamorous, fancy, extravagant, and whatever else makes it special for your…… MORE
Senate Seeks $20 Billion To Help Farmers
Senate negotiations continue on the next coronavirus relief package. While those close to the talks suggest there will not be a bill ready until sometime next month, there is promise for additional relief to agriculture. Senator Joni Ernst, an Iowa Republican who sits on the Senate Agriculture Committee, told Agri-Pulse this week the package…… MORE
U.S & Japan Organic Trade Grows
The USDA says livestock is now added to the list of products included in the organic trade arrangement between the U.S. and Japan. The Fence Post Dot Com says livestock can now be certified to either country’s organic standards for sale as organic in both markets. “Opening new markets for America’s organic farmers and…… MORE
CAL Specialty Crop Report
The California Department of Food and Agriculture is posting on its website that the department will present results via webinar on its recently released report called Climate Change Impacts for Specialty Crops: Southern California Region. That report documents strategies proposed by agricultural representatives to improve adaptation to climate change. The report was prepared by…… MORE
Helping The Cotton Industry
A group of Senators wants the next round of COVID-19 assistance to support the cotton and textile industry. Led by Republican Senator Thom Tillis of North Carolina and Democratic Senator Mark Warner of Virginia, the group penned a letter to Senate leadership this week. The Senators say the U.S. cotton and textile industry “is…… MORE
Slowdown at Chinese Ports
Chinese testing of meat, seafood, and other products for the coronavirus has tripled customs clearance times at some major Chinese ports. Bloomberg says the intensive testing is raising some major concerns that the delays could eventually tangle up global trade flows. It normally takes about three days to clear produce through customs, but an…… MORE
