According to a California Farm Bureau news release, actions in a widened drought emergency order issued by Governor Gavin Newsom will provide some short-term benefit through voluntary water transfers and exchanges in parts of drought-stricken California. The California Farm Bureau also says, while the organization expressed concern about emergency powers granted to the state water…… MORE
Category Archives: Agriculture News
Coalition For Rejoining Pacific Trade Group
A bipartisan coalition of House and Senate members sent a letter to U.S. Trade Representative Katherine Tai about the Trans-Pacific Partnership. The Hagstrom Report says the letter points out that President Trump’s decision to withdraw from the agreement was wrong and asks her to investigate the “pros and cons of the Comprehensive and Progressive…… MORE
Biden’s America the Beautiful & Farming
The Biden administration announced its so-called 30×30 plan, renamed America the Beautiful proposal. The plan seeks to collaboratively work to conserve and restore the lands, waters, and wildlife that support and sustain the nation. The recommendation report outlines a locally-led and voluntary nationwide conservation goal to conserve 30% of U.S. lands and waters by…… MORE
Farmers Union Advocates Climate Action
National Farmers Union members are meeting with lawmakers to advocate legislative solutions to address climate change. NFU members are participating in the virtual meetings this week and next with members of the House and Senate Agriculture Committees. They are pushing for voluntary, incentive-based programs and market initiatives that help farmers implement climate-friendly practices and…… MORE
Ag Economy Barometer Mostly Unchanged
The April Ag Economy Barometer was 178, virtually unchanged from a month earlier. Last month, the index stood at 177, and just five points below its all-time high of 183 set back in October. Compared to March, however, there was a small change in producers’ perspective on the ag economy as they became more…… MORE
Farm Bureau Launches Farm State of Mind Resource
The American Farm Bureau Federation just launched a comprehensive online directory of resources for farmers, ranchers and their families who are experiencing stress and mental health challenges. In recognition of May as Mental Health Month, the directory provides users with stress and mental health resources in every state. Farm Bureau President Zippy Duvall says,…… MORE
USDA Updates Livestock Insurance
The Department of Agriculture is updating livestock insurance policies for 2022 and beyond. USDA says the updates are designed to improve options for producers and to create additional opportunities for producers to participate. The changes include ensuring the Class Pricing Option remains available for purchase even when either the Class III or Class IV…… MORE
Biden to Nominate California Ag Official to USDA
President Joe Biden plans to nominate Jenny Moffit as Agriculture Department undersecretary for marketing and regulatory programs. Moffitt is Undersecretary at the California Department of Food and Agriculture, where she previously served as Deputy Secretary from 2015-18. Before that, Moffitt spent ten years as Managing Director at Dixon Ridge Farms, her family’s organic walnut…… MORE
Vilsack Says No Land Grab or Beef Diet Limits
Ag Secretary Tom Vilsack says there’s no truth to the talk that the Biden Administration wants to take land away from people and discourage consumers from eating beef to help fight climate change. Vilsack says the president wants to protect 30 percent of the nation’s land by 2030 but doesn’t plan to use eminent domain…… MORE
Beef Industry Launches New Campaign
The Beef. It’s What’s for Dinner. brand, managed by National Cattlemen’s Beef Association, launched a new beef campaign highlighting real beef farmers and ranchers. Consumers will be invited to learn more about how cattle farmers and ranchers around the country are employing sustainable practices to care for the land and produce high-quality beef. Recent scientific research funded…… MORE
