The American Farm Bureau Federation is one of many ag groups calling on the Biden Administration to act responsibly when it comes to conservation. Biden’s goal to conserve at least 30 percent of U.S. land and water by 2030, commonly known as “30X30,” is raising many questions. A letter to the administration makes three…… MORE
Category Archives: Agriculture News
Dairy Labeling Reintroduced in Congress
The National Milk Producers Federation commended lawmakers for reintroducing the DAIRY PRIDE Act. The legislation, NMPF says, would bring clear, accurate labeling information for consumers and end mislabeling of dairy foods for plant-based products. The legislation requires the U.S. Food and Drug Administration to enforce its own existing standards of identity on imitation dairy…… MORE
USDA Expands Conservation Reserve Program
Agriculture Secretary Tom Vilsack just announced that USDA will open enrollment in the Conservation Reserve Program with higher payment rates, new incentives, and a more targeted focus on the program’s role in climate change mitigation. Additionally, USDA is announcing investments in partnerships to increase climate-smart agriculture, including $330 million in 85 Regional Conservation Partnership…… MORE
USDA Releases Vegetable and Pulses Outlook
The Department of Agriculture recently released its April 2021 Vegetable and Pulses Outlook. Despite a continuing pandemic and weather-related events, USDA says the U.S. vegetable industry was able to overcome a myriad of obstacles and continue to supply consumers with an almost uninterrupted flow of vegetables and pulse crops. Assuming the impact of the…… MORE
Ag Wildfire Insurance Coverage
The California Farm Bureau Federation is posting on its website that the state insurance commissioner wants to find out how well covered California farmers are with their insurance during wildfires. According to Farm Bureau, California farmers and ranchers are finding it increasing difficult to purchase wildfire insurance. The state insurance commissioner is directing insurance companies…… MORE
Strawberry Season Starts in Fresno County
The Fresno County Office of Tourism is announcing that Strawberry Stands are now open for business. Fifteen Strawberry Stands are part of the Fresno County Fruit Trail, along with additional farm stands and farmers market. Several farm stands and farmers markets featured on the Fresno County Fruit Trail are open year round. Seasonal farm stands and farmers markets are expected to…… MORE
Cal Prop 12 Leaves Pork Industry In Limbo
The National Pork Producers Council is challenging California’s Prop 12 in court. Prop 12 establishes specific minimum size requirements for the confinement spaces of laying hens, veal calves, and breeding pigs. Livestock products from animals raised outside of California in confinements that don’t meet the minimum requirements cannot get sold in the state. Michael Formica…… MORE
USDA Cancels Farmers to Family Food Box Program
Agriculture Secretary Tom Vilsack told House lawmakers the Department of Agriculture is ending the Farmers to Families Food Box program. Representative David Valadao, a California Republican, stated, “although it wasn’t a perfect program, this program provided families with healthy, nutritious food items grown here in the U.S.,” asking Vilsack what USDA will do next.…… MORE
Farm Tractor Sales Up
Farm tractor unit sales extended their growth streak to eleven straight months in our nation. U.S. total farm tractor sales rose 84.1% in March compared to March of last year. Meanwhile, U.S. combine sales grew 6.7%. Curt Blades AEM, Senior Vice President of Ag Services, says, “It’s not just the length of time of this…… MORE
Mixed Ag Economic Outlook
The U.S. economy continues to outperform expectations as stimulus funds are fueling robust consumer spending. Forecasts point to 7% GDP growth for 2021, the fastest rate of expansion since 1984, according to CoBank. The transition to a less COVID-restricted world has begun. But for the economy and rural industries, CoBank says there will be…… MORE
