As House Agriculture chairman, Peterson plans extensive oversight hearings
Incoming Agriculture Committee chair Collin Peterson spelled out an ambitious plan for hearings on topics from the farm economy and the trade war to rural broadband and a review of Sonny Perdue’s decision to move two USDA agencies out of Washington.
Back to square one for USDA nominees
Three nominations for senior USDA posts overseeing research, food safety, and civil rights died with the 115th Congress on Wednesday, and the path forward for those nominations in the two-year session that opened on Thursday is unclear.
USDA to postpone major reports until shutdown ends
The Agriculture Department is expected to announce today that a set of major crop reports scheduled for release Jan. 11 will be delayed until the government shutdown is over, said chief economist Robert Johansson.
Shutdown likely to delay crucial USDA reports
Barring a breakthrough in negotiations between the White House and Congress, the partial government shutdown will force the USDA to delay next week’s scheduled release of potentially market-moving reports that take a final look at the 2018 crops and provide the first hints of this year’s production.
On USDA’s checklist for moving agencies out of D.C.: Travel time
The Agriculture Department is sharpening its criteria for choosing new homes for two science agencies that Agriculture Secretary Sonny Perdue has decided to relocate outside of Washington by the end of this year.
House Democrats open door to SNAP litigation
When Democrats take control of the House today, one of their first steps will be the adoption of operating rules for the coming two years, including a provision that could lead to a court challenge to stricter time limits for SNAP benefits.
Trump injects food stamp limits into signing of ‘really tremendous’ farm bill
At the same time President Trump signed into law the 2018 farm bill, which modestly strengthens the farm safety net, loosens farm subsidy rules, and legalizes industrial hemp, he announced “immediate action on welfare reform” on Thursday through stricter enforcement of time limits on food stamps to able-bodied adults.
USDA releases GMO labeling rule
The USDA released rules on Thursday for on-package labeling of bioengineered ingredients. The National Bioengineered Food Disclosure Standard will require most food manufacturers, importers, and some retailers to clearly label bioengineered ingredients.
Keep USDA science agencies in D.C., say lawmakers
A powerhouse group of U.S. representatives, including incoming House Majority Leader Steny Hoyer, filed a bill on Thursday to block the relocation and reorganization of USDA research agencies.
Trump, Congress make it harder for CAFO neighbors to know what they’re inhaling
Recent actions by the GOP-controlled Congress and the Trump administration have exempted big livestock operations from reporting air emissions, according to the latest story from FERN, published with Mother Jones. <strong>(No paywall)</strong>
Administration would toughen 90-day limit on food stamps
On Thursday, hours before President Trump was expected to sign the farm bill, the administration has proposed restricting the power of states to waive the usual 90-day limit on food stamps for able-bodied adults who do not work at least 20 hours a week.
China buys 96.6 million bushels of U.S. soybeans in a week
In a break from the trade war, China made its third purchase of U.S. soybeans in a week, said the USDA on Wednesday. The purchases followed a meeting between President Trump and Chinese President Xi Jinping in Buenos Aires that Trump said would result in significant exports to China.
Sales of antibiotics for livestock drop 41 percent as result of FDA efforts
Sales of medically important antibiotics for use in food animals are down by 41 percent in two years as part of the FDA's campaign to preserve the efficacy of antibiotics. "We hope this downward trend will continue," said FDA Commissioner Scott Gottlieb on Tuesday. "These reductions are an indication that our ongoing efforts to support antimicrobial stewardship are having a significant impact."
Pork, the meat-export leader
Large domestic hog production and low market prices will propel a larger share of U.S. pork onto the world market in 2019, according to USDA economists. In the monthly Livestock, Dairy and Poultry Outlook, they estimate more than 23 percent of pork production will be exported, up from 22.7 percent this year.
USDA doubles Trump tariff payments to farmers to $9.6 billion
Agriculture Secretary Sonny Perdue announced on Monday the second and final round of $4.8 billion of Trump tariff payments, meaning crop and livestock producers will collect up to $9.6 billion in cash to cushion the impact of the Sino-U.S. trade war. So far, the USDA has sent $2.38 billion in payments to producers of almonds, corn, cotton, dairy, hog, sorghum, soybeans, fresh sweet cherries and wheat.
Farm bill aids black farmers and heirs’ property owners
The farm bill contains crucial improvements for black farmers and increased funding for historically black land-grant universities, members of the Congressional Black Caucus said on a media call Monday. The bill also includes provisions for heirs’ property owners — land passed down without formal title — that clears the way to apply for farm programs.
Trump hints he’ll sign farm bill this week
The farm bill "is in very, very good shape," according to President Trump, who hinted that he will sign the bill into law this week. "So we’ll get the farm bill. Got to take care of the farmers. But it’s just been something very, very exciting," said Trump over the weekend.
Trump’s tariff bailouts would probably be delayed by USDA shutdown
Federal meat inspectors would report to work as usual and the SNAP and WIC programs would stay in operation if there is a partial government shutdown at the end of this week, according to a USDA plan developed for the brief shutdown early this year. Offices running the farm program would be closed, which probably would mean that Trump tariff payments would be delayed until the government opened again.
Hog farming shifts to contract production
Some 63 percent of U.S. hogs are raised under contract to a processor, nearly double the 34 percent that were sold under contract 20 years ago, said the USDA. Ninety percent of poultry and eggs are produced under contract. Tobacco and sugar beets also are in that range.
Farm bill 2018: Late, yes, but not as late as some
The 2018 farm bill, which President Trump could sign into law as early as next week, is more than two months overdue, largely because of a fight over SNAP work requirements that led Rep. Collin Peterson to say, “I don’t know if we’re ever going to get another one done.” The past decade has provided ample reason for doubt.