The Agricultural Retailers Association Convention & Expo heard from CEO, Daren Coppock with the President’s report and review of the year. He couldn’t begin without talking about the election, Coppock said. “This opens up some unexpected avenues for us. It was a surprising outcome in a number of ways. But if we look at implications for our industry there are … Read More
USDA Awards $6.7 Million for Healthy Agroecosystems
Eighteen grants with a total sum of $6.7 million dollars are being granted by the USDA‘s National Institute of Food and Agriculture (NIFA). The grants are to encourage researching the interactions between components of an agroecosystem interact in food production: soil, water and sun to plants, animals and people. “Population growth, along with environmental factors, including the growing threat of climate change, … Read More
Senate Ag Committee Calls on China to Approve Biotech
Chairman and Ranking Member of the U.S. Senate Committee on Agriculture, Nutrition and Forestry are urging approve of biotechnology products in China. Earlier this week Pat Roberts (R-Kan.) and Debbie Stabenow (D-Mich.) sent a letter to President Obama about the ongoing delays. The letter containing 37 signatures, 16 from members of the Senate Agriculture Committee. The Senators write, “American producers … Read More
#NAFB16 Features Reactions to #Election2016
To kick-off the 2016 National Association of Farm Broadcasting (NAFB) Convention in Kansas City, Mo., we heard agriculture leaders share insights on “Counting the Returns: Agriculture Reacts to the Election.” Jay Truitt, Policy Solutions, moderated panel discussion with Dr. Bob Young, Chief Economist, American Farm Bureau Federation, Roger Johnson, President, National Farmers Union and Jon Doggett, Executive Vice President, National … Read More
Agri-Pulse Polls Shows Trump Leads in Ag
A new nationwide poll commissioned by Agri-Pulse reveals that a majority of farmers and ranchers favor Donald Trump over Hillary Clinton in the 2016 presidential race. Fifty-five percent of those surveyed said they support Republican Trump while 18 percent indicated they support Democrat Clinton. Only 2 percent plan to vote for Libertarian candidate Gary Johnson and just 1 percent for … Read More
USDA Finalizes Conservation Easement Program Rule
The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) has published a final rule on the Agricultural Conservation Easement Program (ACEP), which was created in the 2014 Farm Bill to consolidate provisions in three previous conservation easement programs. The rule changes are designed to “make the program more flexible and responsive to the unique needs of farmers and ranchers in each region of … Read More
House Passes Water Resources & Development Act
The U.S. House of Representatives passed the Water Resources and Development Act of 2016 (WRDA 2016) by a vote of 399-25. The two year, reauthorization bill provides infrastructure programs and the Harbor Maintenance Trust Fund; programs that allow American farmers to remain commutative in a global market. The bill will clear the backlog of projects for the Army Corps of … Read More
Congress Ratifies Plant Genetics Treaty
Congress this week finally passing a broadly-supported international treaty to strengthen American agriculture and enhance global food security, an action endorsed by the American Seed Trade Association (ASTA). First signed by President George W. Bush, and pending for nearly 15 years, the now ratified International Treaty on Plant Genetic Resources for Food and Agriculture (“The Treaty”) will ensure U.S. public … Read More
Candidates Offer Views on Ag Issues
While the candidates may weigh in during tonight’s debate on issues such as immigration and trade, which are important to agriculture, it’s not likely they will address topics such as the farm bill and biotechnology. So, the American Farm Bureau Federation (AFBF) went to both nominees and asked them the same questions on a number of issues that concern farmers … Read More
New Report: Global Progress on Food Loss, Waste
A newly released report has assessed the world’s progress toward Target 12.3 of the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), which has called on all nations to halve food waste and reduce food loss by 2030. The report recommends nations, cities and businesses in the food supply chain move quickly to set reduction targets, measure progress and take action to … Read More