The U.S. needs to improve trade relationships with Pacific Rim countries where competitors like Australia and the European Union have advantages over U.S. exporters, Agriculture Secretary Sonny Perdue said today. Japan is the first target for new bilateral talks, Perdue stressed. [node:read-more:link]
USDA’s offices continue to fill up as two more key leadership positions were confirmed by the U.S. Senate last night. Stephen Censky was confirmed as USDA’s deputy secretary and Ted McKinney as undersecretary of trade and foreign agricultural affairs. USDA Secretary Sonny Perdue praises the Senate’s confirmations, issuing the following statement.“I commend the Senate for confirming these two experienced, prepared and capable nominees, who will provide the steady leadership we need at USDA. [node:read-more:link]
The documentary traces the extraordinary changes coming to America’s food system as more and more consumers flock to farmers’ markets, embrace farm-to-table lifestyles and insist on knowing where their food is coming from. At the center of the film are the farmers, young and old, who provide the spirit and energy to bring urban and rural America together over what both share in common: our food. These farmers reflect nothing less than the face of America. [node:read-more:link]
After years of trying to improve beef cattle, have we made enough progress yet? That question was asked and answered in the 2016 National Beef Quality Audit, the most recent since 2011.For those waiting for the answer, it’s still “no,” Mark McCully said. The Certified Angus Beef brand’s vice president of supply grants cattle are better, but there’s plenty of room for improvement. The NBQA cites a lost opportunity of $15.75 per head in quality grade alone. A glance at actual beef grades vs. [node:read-more:link]
A packed legislative hearing in Madison last week was a good reminder of what is beautiful about cooperatives. It also revealed a lot about what is broken. The topic of that hearing was Assembly Bill 353, a bill that would allow co-ops to make some fairly un-democratic changes to their bylaws – provided that co-op members vote democratically to do so. [node:read-more:link]
Reps. John Faso (R-NY) and Michelle Lujan Grisham (D-NM) announced the introduction of the Organic Farmer and Consumer Protection Act. The bipartisan legislature provides for a modernization of organic import documentation, new technology advancements, and stricter enforcement of organic products entering the U.S.“Protecting the integrity of organic is critical for the advancement of organic, and we applaud Rep. Faso for introducing this important bill. [node:read-more:link]
Producers’ optimism about the future of the agricultural economy fell in September, according to the Index of Future Expectations, a sub-index of the Purdue University/CME Group Ag Economy Barometer. The overall barometer held steady from August to September with a reading of 132 as its two sub-indices – the Index of Future Expectations and the Index of Current Conditions – shifted in opposite directions. The Index of Future Expectations fell seven points to 130 in September, while the Index of Current Conditions climbed from 122 in August to 135 in September. [node:read-more:link]
On Monday, Rep. Bob Goodlatte (R-VA) introduced his Agricultural Guestworker Act of 2017 Bill, which would replace H-2A with an H-2C program. Rep. Goodlatte introduced the bill to the House Judiciary Committee, which he chairs. During his address at United Fresh Produce Association’s Washington Conference in mid September, Rep. Goodlatte said he intends to move the bill through on a tight timetable. And that is exactly what he is doing. Rep. [node:read-more:link]
Grass-fed beef fans sometimes claim that finishing cattle on forage, rather than on grain or soy, is better for the environment. But a new study from U.K.-based Food Climate Research Network (FCRN) indicates these assertions are not true.In a report dubbed “Grazed and confused?” researchers said their analysis of grass- and grain-finished animals’ net contributions to GHG emissions shows that even grass-fed animals are a net contributor to the problem. [node:read-more:link]
Groups on both ends of the political spectrum are plotting how to attack the farm bill when it begins to move in Congress. Representatives from about two dozen groups met yesterday near Capitol Hill to hear from an economist and then to brainstorm messages that they can agree to take to Congress. The plan is for the coalition to come up with a joint statement that most of the groups can sign. The organizations could not be more different on most issues. [node:read-more:link]
