Former Agriculture Secretary Tom Vilsack appeared before the Senate Agriculture Committee Tuesday to be questioned about his goals if confirmed to return to his old job as the new Secretary of Agriculture. Joking that he realized it was Groundhog Day and he was “back again,” Vilsack noted that “this is a fundamentally different time.” In his opening statement, Vilsack outlined …
USDA Announces Final Rule on Hemp Production
The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) has announced the final rule regulating the production of hemp in the United States. “With the publication of this final rule, USDA brings to a close a full and transparent rule-making process that started with a hemp listening session in March 2019,” said USDA Marketing and Regulatory Programs Under Secretary Greg Ibach. “USDA staff …
USDA Offers Additional CFAP Aid for Some Producers
The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) will provide additional assistance through the Coronavirus Food Assistance Program (CFAP), expanding eligibility for some agricultural producers and commodities as well as updating payments to accurately compensate some producers who already applied for the program. Among the announced updates: Contract producers of swine, broilers, laying hens, chicken eggs and turkeys who suffered a drop …
Tom Vilsack Officially Nominated for Ag Secretary
Tom Vilsack has officially been nominated to serve as Secretary of Agriculture in the Biden Administration, reprising the role he held under President Obama for eight years. Vilsack was the only cabinet member to serve all eight years under Obama, and the longest serving Secretary of Agriculture in modern times (James Wilson served for 16 years under three presidents 1897-1913). …
USDA Under Secretary McKinney Addresses Ag Retailers
USDA Under Secretary for Trade and Foreign Agricultural Affairs Ted McKinney addressed the 2020 Agricultural Retailers Association Conference & Expo Wednesday to update attendees on the U.S. trade situation at the end of 2020. In a quick spin around the world, McKinney touched on trade and COVID19 in different countries, including Mexico and Canada with USMCA, China and the Phase …
USDA Lowers Forecast for Corn and Soybeans
The November World Agricultural Supply and Demand Estimates from USDA show lower forecasts for domestic production of both corn and soybeans. This month’s 2020/21 U.S. corn outlook is for lower production, reduced feed and residual use, larger exports, and smaller ending stocks. Corn production is forecast at 14.507 billion bushels, down 215 million with a reduction in yield to 175.8 …
Agri-Pulse Hosts National Pork Board Webinar on Trade
Agri-Pulse president Sara Wyant moderated a discussion last week with USDA Trade Undersecretary Ted McKinney, North Carolina hog farmer Jan Archer, and Iowa State University economist Dermot Hayes on how exports add value for pork producers and support U.S. jobs. The event was sponsored by the National Pork Board. Watch the webinar here. Listen to the audio here: (1 hour)
USDA and USTR Release Report on China Trade
An interim report from the U.S. Trade Representative (USTR) and the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) highlights the progress made so far in implementing the agricultural provisions in the U.S.-China Phase One Economic and Trade Agreement. To date, China has implemented at least 50 of the 57 technical commitments under the Phase One Agreement. These structural changes will benefit American …
USDA Lowers Corn, Soybean and Cotton Estimates
USDA is now forecasting smaller corn and soybean crops for this year, compared to last month’s estimate, but still higher than last year. According to the National Agricultural Statistics Service (NASS) October Crop Production report, acreage updates were made in several states based on a thorough review of all available data. Corn production for grain is forecast at 14.7 billion …
Secretary Perdue Tours Hurricane Sally Damage
U.S. Secretary of Agriculture Sonny Perdue took a tour of crop damage from Hurricane Sally in Alabama and Florida on Monday. He visited the Jenkins Farm in Jay, Florida and heard from farmers in the panhandle of the state who suffered damage to cotton and peanut crops. “What I’ve seen is crops that have probably been cut in half,” said …