The Chairman of the House Committee on Agriculture, Glenn “GT” Thompson, according to the International Agri-Center, will kick off the 2023 Farm Bill listening session tour at the World Ag Expo in Tulare, starting at 10am on February 14th. Congressman Thompson will be joined by Rep. David Valadao along with bipartisan Members of the House…… MORE
Category Archives: Agriculture News
Protecting U.S. Ag from Foreign Adversaries
The bipartisan Promoting Agriculture Safeguards and Security (PASS) Act was introduced in both congressional chambers. It will protect U.S. national security by preventing foreign adversaries from taking any ownership or control of agricultural land and businesses in the United States. The bill will also ensure the USDA is fully involved in reviewing any acquisition of…… MORE
Senate Bill Would Improve the Conservation Reserve Program
Senators John Thune of South Dakota and Minnesota’s Amy Klobuchar reintroduced the Conservation Reserve Program Improvement Act. A Republican and Democrat, respectively, the bill bolsters the CRP by improving access to grazing, maximizing enrollment options for producers, and addressing implementation issues following the 2018 Farm Bill. “After hearing from South Dakotans, it’s clear that we…… MORE
California Not Part Of Colorado Water Agreement
Six states that rely on water from the Colorado River Basin recently reached an agreement regarding a model to drastically cut water use in the basin. Colorado, New Mexico, Utah, Wyoming, Arizona, and Nevada, “did exactly what we needed,” according to Colorado Senator Michael Bennet. However, the agreement doesn’t include California, the largest water user…… MORE
Census of Agriculture Deadline Nears
The deadline to respond to the 2022 Census of Agriculture is next week. USDA’s National Ag Statistics Service says farmers and ranchers must respond by February 6th online or through the mail. NASS Administrator Hubert Hamer says, “By participating in the 2022 Census of Agriculture, producers show the value and importance of American agriculture.” Last…… MORE
Organic Produce Sales Up, But Volume Down
Organic fresh produce sales grew by 3% last year while total volume dropped by 3.7%. The Organic Produce Network says total sales topped $9.4 billion for the year. The 2022 Organic Produce Performance Report says the fresh berry category was the top organic produce category with more than 16% of organic fresh produce dollars in…… MORE
USDA Offers Disaster Assistance To California Producers Impacted By Floods
USDA is announcing technical and financial assistance is available to help farmers and livestock producers recover. Impacted producers should contact their local USDA Service Center to report losses and learn more about program options available to assist in their recovery from crop, land, infrastructure and livestock losses and damages. “Production agriculture is vital to the California…… MORE
Lawsuit Against FDA Targets Antibiotics Use in Livestock
Public health advocacy groups filed a lawsuit against the Food and Drug Administration this week. The groups say the lawsuit challenges the refusal to phase out unnecessary uses of antibiotics in animal agriculture. The groups include the Alliance of Nurses for Healthy Environments, the Natural Resources Defense Council, Food Animal Concerns Trust, Public Citizen and…… MORE
USDA Assistance For Dairy Farmers
The USDA is providing additional assistance for U.S. dairy producers, including a second round of payments through the Pandemic Market Volatility Assistance Program. The agency also announced a new Organic Dairy Marketing Assistance Program. The moves will help USDA better support small- and medium-sized dairy operations that weathered COVID and now face other challenges. “USDA…… MORE
Groups File Legal Challenges to New WOTUS Rule
Groups representing agriculture, infrastructure, housing, and petroleum filed a legal challenge to the new Waters of the U.S. Rule. “The Biden Administration’s WOTUS definition is an attack on farmers and ranchers, and we’ll be fighting back in court,” says Mary-Thomas Hart, chief counsel for the National Cattlemen’s Beef Association. She also says “The rule removes…… MORE
