Lawmakers introduced the Safe American Food Exports Act. The legislation would codify USDA’s role in negotiating regionalization agreements that allow livestock, poultry, and other animal products from unaffected areas of the country to continue to be safely exported in the event of an animal disease outbreak. Although USDA already works with the U.S. Trade Representative…… MORE
Category Archives: Agriculture News
New USDA Tool For Small Businesses
A new tool from the Department of Agriculture seeks to help industry and small disadvantaged entities identify potential opportunities for selling their products and services to the department. Small businesses, disadvantaged businesses, women-owned businesses and others may be able to participate in contracts with USDA, or through subcontracting opportunities. USDA has eleven organizations that issue…… MORE
Whole Milk for Healthy Kids Act Advances
Whole Milk for Healthy Kids Act Moves Out of Committee The Committee on Education and the Workforce voted to advance a bill restoring whole milk in schools. The Whole Milk for Healthy Kids Act of 2023 highlights milk’s health benefits and nutrients to young Americans, including better bone health, lower blood pressure, and reduced risk…… MORE
Farmer Less Optimistic In New Survey
Producer outlook fell to its weakest reading since July 2022, as the Purdue University-CME Group Ag Economy Barometer Index declined 19 points to 104 in May. The new reading was fueled by declines in both of the barometer’s sub-indices. The Index of Future Expectations declined 22 points to 98, while the Index of Current Conditions…… MORE
“Natural” Labeled Foods Account for 16% of Consumer Spending
New Data from USDA’s Economic Research Service shows foods labeled “natural” accounted for slightly more than 16% of consumer retail food purchases. USDA and the Food and Drug Administration require producers to adhere to specific standards or processes to use certain label claims, such as USDA Organic. The “natural” claim, however, has minimal requirements and…… MORE
Milk Producers Oppose Infant Formula Bill
The National Milk Producers Federation strongly opposes legislation introduced in both chambers of Congress that the organization believes would increase U.S. vulnerability to infant formula supply disruptions. The bill calls for increasing U.S. reliance on imported formula and formula inputs. It would also unilaterally and permanently remove tariffs and tariff rate quotas on infant formula…… MORE
New Research on Actual Water Use by Agriculture
California Farm Bureau is posting on its website recent scientific work by the California Bountiful Foundation showing that California farmers and ranchers use only 15% of the total water the state receives. These findings, now available on the California Bountiful Foundation website offers a data-based analysis of water use of California agriculture, the largest food…… MORE
West Coast Ports Losing Business as Negotiations Continue
West Coast ports in the U.S. started negotiating a new labor contract just over a year ago. While working without a new contract in place isn’t unheard of, the contract has now been expired for over 10 months. A report from the U.S. Meat Export Federation says the labor uncertainty is having an impact on…… MORE
USDA Extends Deadline for Revenue Loss Programs
USDA is extending deadlines for the Emergency Relief Program Phase Two and the Pandemic Assistance Revenue Program to July 14. The goal is to give producers more time to apply for the assistance. Also, USDA’s Farm Service Agency is partnering with nine organizations to provide educational and technical assistance to agricultural producers and provide assistance…… MORE
Supreme Court’s WOTUS Decision Reaction
Agriculture groups in California and across the country, continue reacting positively to the Supreme Court’s recent unanimous ruling in a case that rejected the Biden Administration’s Waters of the United States Rule. California Farm Bureau President Jamie Johansson is applauding the U.S. Supreme Court’s decision. “California Farm Bureau appreciates the Supreme Court’s decision,” Johansson said. “Our farmers and ranchers…… MORE
