Dairy farmers from the National Milk Producers Federation are in Washington, D.C., this week visiting with lawmakers. The visits are part of a fly-in calling for an agricultural labor bill that could be reconciled with a plan the House approved last year, providing the stable, secure labor force U.S. dairy producers need. U.S. dairy…… MORE
Category Archives: Agriculture News
Valley Growers Benefit From China Phase One Agreement
The Department of Agriculture says there’s progress in the implementation of the U.S.-China Phase One Economic and Trade Agreement. Agriculture Secretary Sonny Perdue says China has taken several additional actions to reach its agriculture-related commitments. The actions include the signing of a protocol that allows the importation of fresh California nectarines, and the lifting…… MORE
School Meals in California Continue Despite Coronavirus Closures
The Department of Agriculture approved requests from California and Washington to allow meal service during school closures to minimize potential exposure to the new coronavirus. The meals are available at no cost to low-income children, and are not required to be served in a group setting, to ensure kids receive nutritious meals while schools…… MORE
CRP Grasslands Signups
Farmers and ranchers can start applying to enroll grasslands in the Conservation Reserve Program Grasslands signup on March 16th. “This CRP Grasslands signup allows farmers and ranchers to protect grasslands, rangelands, and pastures, while they maintain the land as working grazing lands,” says Farm Service Agency Administrator Richard Fordyce. “The program emphasizes support for…… MORE
Increasing GMO Understanding
A new federal collaboration seeks to improve consumer understanding of genetically modified organisms. Created by the Food and Drug Administration, in collaboration with the Environmental Protection Agency and Department of Agriculture, the Feed Your Mind initiative aims to answer the most common questions that consumers have about GMOs. FDA Commissioner Stephen Hahn says that…… MORE
Meat Demand Remains Strong
The Food Industry Association and the Foundation for Meat and Poultry Research, along with the North American Meat Institute Foundation, combined to produce their 15th-annual in-depth study of meat and poultry from the consumer’s perspective. “The Power of Meat 2020” takes a deep dive into consumption trends, sales growth, and consumer demand. The study…… MORE
NFU President Johnson Retires, Larew Elected
National Farmers Union President Roger Johnson this week delivered his final address to the organization before retirement and the election of a new leader. After 11 years, Johnson announced his plans to retire in 2020. Delegates elected Rob Larew to succeed Johnson as the organization’s president. Patty Edelburg, a Wisconsin dairy farmer, was reelected to serve a…… MORE
Chicken Glut in the U.S.
U.S. chicken companies are running production at a high rate right now, sparking a glut of product on the market and sending prices for products like breast meat to record lows. Yahoo Finance says despite that, the industry might see a bright 2020 ahead. That’s thanks in part to the chicken sandwich craze that…… MORE
Hemp Growers Get Good News
The Drug Enforcement Agency says it won’t require all labs testing the THC levels of U.S. hemp to be certified by the agency during the 2020 crop year. Politico says that offers producers a little more flexibility because it will alleviate potential bottlenecks at the more limited number of labs that have the certification.…… MORE
President Promises Farmers More Trade Aid if Needed
President Donald Trump took to Twitter again to talk trade. There have been questions on the possibility of more trade aid distribution this year, with the president seemingly saying it’s a possibility. “If our formally targeted farmers need additional aid until such time as the trade deals with China, Mexico, Canada, and others fully…… MORE
