U.S. Senator Pat Roberts (R-Kan.), Chairman of the Senate Committee on Agriculture, Nutrition, and Forestry, announced that the USDA has designated $6 million in aid to help farmers and ranchers affected by recent wildfires in Kansas, Oklahoma and Texas. “I am pleased USDA has acted swiftly to aid producers recovering from the largest wildfire in state history,” said Roberts. “For …
Ag Census Begins
Every five years the U.S. Department of Agriculture conducts a census of all U.S. farms, ranches and the people who operate them and it is once again time for American agriculture to represent their industry in the 2017 Census of Agriculture. The Census of Agriculture highlights land use and ownership, operator characteristics, production practices, income and expenditures, and other topics. …
Perdue Confirmation Hearing Set
Sonny Perdue will get a step closer to the office of agriculture secretary next week. The Senate agriculture committee will hold a hearing March 23 on the nomination of the former Georgia governor, who was the last cabinet member to be named by President Trump. Two other cabinet members, Robert Lighthizer for U.S. trade representative and Alexander Acosta for labor …
Passing of Clayton Yeutter
Tributes are pouring out in memory of Clayton Yeutter who passed away March 4 at the age of 86. Clayton Yeutter served as U.S. Trade Representative under President Ronald Reagan and as agriculture secretary under President George H.W. Bush. He was always a strong advocate for American agriculture and a friend to many of us in the industry who have …
Terry Branstad Addresses Ag Outlook Forum
The distinguished speaker at this year’s USDA Agricultural Outlook Forum was former Iowa Governor Terry Branstad, who was recently nominated as ambassador to China. Branstad took time during his speech to praise incoming Secretary of Agriculture Sonny Perdue and share his thoughts on the future of agriculture and economic development in rural America. “Simply put, American agriculture is tied to …
Farm Bureau President Speaks at USDA Ag Outlook Forum
The American Farm Bureau Federation’s public policy agenda shares much in common with the Trump administration on issues like regulatory reform and tax reform. But even harder issues such as farm labor and trade should present opportunities to engage with Congress and the White House, alike, AFBF President Zippy Duvall told participants at the USDA’s Agricultural Outlook Forum. Duvall said …
MO Lt. Gov Praises Perdue as U.S. Sec of Ag
Missouri Lieutenant Governor Mike Parson has commended President Trump on his selection of former Georgia Governor Sonny Perdue to lead the U.S. Department of Agriculture. In a statement, Lieutenant Governor Parson praised Governor Perdue’s accomplishments in both the governmental and private sectors. “Governor Perdue and I share a common past being raised on family farms, serving our country in the …
Most Ag Groups Pleased with Ag Secretary Choice
The agriculture industry had to wait until right up to the end to learn Trump’s choice for Secretary of Agriculture, but now that he’s nominated former Georgia Governor, Sonny Perdue, the agriculture groups seem generally pleased. National Cattlemen’s Beef Association calls him “an excellent pick” to head USDA. “As a lifelong agri-businessman and veterinarian, as well as the two-term governor …
USDA Seeks Comments on Organic Check-Off
The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) is moving forward with a proposal for a nationwide check-off program for the organic industry. The USDA announced a public comment period for what is referred to as GRO Organic (Generic Research and Promotion Order for Organic) earlier this week. Commenters have until March 20 to weigh in on the topic. As it currently stands, all …
2016 Crop Production Summary Is In
It’s been touted for months, but the USDA’s final Crop Production 2016 Summary finally confirms it, last year was a record-high yield for corn and soybeans. In 2016 corn growers produced 15.1 billion bushels- 11 percent higher than 2015. Average yield is estimated to be 174.6 bushels per acre, up 6.2 bushels over the last crop. The National Agricultural Statistics …