USDA’s Risk Management Agency is extending crop insurance flexibilities for producers amid the COVID-19 pandemic. Specifically, relief provided for electronic notifications and signatures is extended through July 15th. Organic certification, replant self-certification and assignment of indemnity are extended through June 30th. RMA is also allowing Approved Insurance Providers further flexibilities for production reporting, submitting…… MORE
Category Archives: Agriculture News
U.S. Raising Tariffs on Certain European Imports
The U.S. government says it will raise tariffs on certain products coming into the country from the European Union. Reuters says those products include wines from France and Germany, as well as aircraft components. It’s the latest move in a longtime battle between Washington and Brussels over aircraft subsidies. The Office of the U.S.…… MORE
China Misses Trade Buying Deadline
China is a long way from meeting the commitments in its trade deal with the U.S. Farm Progress.com says the latest data shows the Southeast Asian nation has imported just over half the goods it promised to buy from America in the Phase One Trade Agreement. Over the first 11 months of the year,…… MORE
Court Rejects Prop 12 Challenge
The North American Meat Institute’s challenge to California’s Prop 12 is unsuccessful once again. The U.S. Court of Appeals in the Ninth Circuit rejected the institute’s challenge to the California 2018 ballot initiative that imposes new standards for animal housing. The court decision confirms an initial judgment in October. California voters approved the Prevention…… MORE
Federal Judge Rejects H-2A Program Changes
A federal court in Fresno issued a preliminary injunction against the Labor Department’s decision to freeze farm workers’ wages for those that use the H-2A Guestworker Program. Fruit and Nut Grower News says the freeze would effectively lower the wages of several hundred thousand guest farm workers employed by U.S. farmers. A preliminary injunction…… MORE
Organic Weed Killer Under Investigation
Regulators in California, Washington and Oregon issued “stop-use” orders for a popular herbicide that’s been used on a lot of organic crops. Questions are arising about whether or not Agro Gold WS contains synthetic herbicides like Glyphosate or Diquat. As more questions come up about the product, the state of Idaho is also investigating,…… MORE
Santa’s Reindeer Cleared For California
The California Department of Food and Agriculture says State Veterinarian Dr. Annette Jones has granted a 24-hour permit clearing all brand inspection and health requirements for nine reindeer scheduled to visit California on the evening of December 24 and in the early morning hours of December 25. The permit application was filed via email and…… MORE
New COVID-19 Package Helps Farmers
Food and agriculture groups welcome the new COVID-19 relief package. Congress this week agreed on a $900 billion stimulus package, which includes up to $13 billion that directly benefits agriculture. Nearly $1 billion will support a dairy donation program and supplemental Dairy Margin Coverage payments. More help is available to specialty and non-specialty crop…… MORE
New Blueberry Growers Alliance
America’s blueberry growers including those in California are forming a new coalition called the American Blueberry Growers Alliance. The goal is to seek relief from rising imports that are harming their business. The alliance will provide information and support to an ongoing U.S. International Trade Commission investigation into the serious injury caused by increasing imports…… MORE
AgDiscovery Program Accepting Applications
The Department of Agriculture is now taking applications for the 2021 AgDiscovery program. AgDiscovery is a national summer outreach program designed to introduce students in grades 7-12 to agricultural sciences. The program is a unique opportunity for students to gain a first-hand view of the many career paths available in the agricultural sciences field.…… MORE
