New staff directors for Senate and House Agriculture committees
Canada says it ‘would respond appropriately’ to new U.S. tariffs
After meeting Secretary of State Rex Tillerson, Canada's foreign minister said her country "would respond appropriately" if the United States pushes for new tariffs on Canadian products as part of NAFTA negotiations, said Reuters. Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau could meet President Trump as early as next week; NAFTA would be a top issue.
U.S. ethanol exports highest in five years
During a year of record U.S. ethanol production, exports of the biofuel totaled 1.05 billion gallons, second only to the record 1.19 billion gallons shipped to foreign buyers in 2011, said the Renewable Fuels Association. "Our industry produced 15.2 billion gallons of ethanol last year, and while we continue to meet our domestic needs, ethanol exports are essential for future growth,” said RFA chief executive Bob Dinneen.
At a New Hampshire greenhouse, ‘no one touches anything’
The owners of a one-acre greenhouse in London, New Hampshire rely on automation to reduce the risk of contaminating the greens that go into its packages of lettuce blends, says Produce Retailer. "From seeding to harvest to packaging, no one touches anything" at lef Farms, which sold its first order in January.
Ag groups press for U.S. trade deals with Japan, Asia-Pacific region
With Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe to meet President Trump on Friday, the two largest U.S. livestock groups suggested the president "initiate free-trade agreement negotiations with nations in the Asia-Pacific region beginning with Japan." Separately, 87 farm and trade groups and agribusinesses wrote Trump in support of expanded access to Asia-Pacific markets, the region involved in the Trans-Pacific Partnership.
U.S. farm income to be half of 2013 peak, farm debt to rise by 5 percent
The government forecast U.S. net farm income at $62.3 billion this year, the lowest since 2009 and only half of the record income of 2013 at the crest of the agricultural boom. In inflation-adjusted terms, 2017 net farm income would be the lowest since 2002. Farm debt was forecast to increase by $19.4 billion this year, part of a 25 percent increase since commodity prices collapsed four years ago.
USDA delays fair-play rule for livestock marketing until April 22
In line with the regulatory freeze announced when President Trump took office, the USDA said it was delaying for 60 days, until April 22, the implementation of a new fair-play rule that makes it easier for livestock producers to prove unfair treatment at the hands of packers and processors. The largest cattle, hog and broiler chicken groups say the rule, issued in mid-December after being blocked for years by Congress, is the Obama administration's revenge on farmers for voting for Trump.
Survey of farmer sentiment sets record for second month
A post-election surge in producer optimism pushed the Ag Economy Barometer to a record high for the second consecutive month, says Purdue University, which conducts a survey of farmers and produces the monthly report.
As with wine, California growers want exclusive names for their cannabis
The notion of terroir — the belief that climate, soil and farming practices combine in a unique crop — is centuries old and one of the issues with California's decision to legalize cannabis. State officials say they will set up a body to decide if certain parts of the state deserve "their own exclusive appellations for cannabis, like Champagne and Bordeaux wine in France, says the Wall Street Journal.
California egg farm accused of animal cruelty under Prop. 2
The San Bernardino County prosecutor filed four dozen animal cruelty charges against an egg farm in Ontario, Calif., where thousands of hens were found in "inhumane" conditions said the Los Angeles Times. The Humane Society of the United States said it was the first time charges were brought under the voter-enacted Prevention of Farm Animal Cruelty law, also known as Proposition 2.
China signals shift from self-sufficiency in food crops
In its closely watched "number one document" on rural policy, the Chinese government omitted any mention of "basic self-sufficiency" in food crops, moving away from expensive subsidies that created the world's largest stockpiles of wheat, corn and rice, said Reuters. The deputy head of the Communist Party's rural policy group told reporters the focus is shifting to balancing supply and demand, "improving quality and competitiveness, and enhancing agricultural sustainable development ability."
Pruitt expected to take a ‘scalpel’ to EPA
As head of the EPA, Scott Pruitt is working up plans to rewrite climate change rules, reduce staffing and close regional offices. But it’s likely he will use a “scalpel rather than a meat cleaver” to cut the agency’s authority, says The New York Times.
Race for DNC chair runs through rural Wisconsin
Former labor secretary Tom Perez went to Hayward, a community of 2,300 people in northern Wisconsin, for a listening session as part of his campaign to become Democratic national chairman. "One of the reasons we lost in places like Wisconsin, Michigan and Pennsylvania is we're not speaking to rural voters," Perez told the Milwaukee Journal Sentinel, naming three states that were key to election of President Trump.
Celebrity chef sounds the call: ‘Food is politics’
José Andrés, co-owner of a dozen U.S. restaurants, urged foodies to stand up to painful food and immigration policies that he expects to see from the Trump administration. Speaking at the Food Tank Summit, Andrés told the overflow crowd "Food is politics," reported Quartz.
Heitkamp is first Democratic senator to back Perdue for USDA
The Trump nominee for agriculture secretary, former Georgia Gov. Sonny Perdue, has the support of North Dakota Sen. Heidi Heitkamp, the first Democrat to endorse him. A Democrat-turned-Republican, Perdue has attracted none of the controversy dogging other cabinet nominees. But as the last of President Trump's selections, he still awaits a confirmation hearing.
Greens worry Zinke doesn’t care about endangered species
Conservationists are worried that new Secretary of the Interior Ryan Zinke will hurt the recovery of endangered species in the U.S., says The Huffington Post.
Humane Society: USDA’s removal of animal-welfare information violates ruling
After USDA removed investigation files from its website on some 9,000 animal facilities, including circuses, dog breeding operations and scientific labs, animal rights activists are crying foul, says the Humane Society of the United States. The society notified USDA that it would re-open a similar public access lawsuit it filed and won in 2005 if the agency doesn't immediately bring the documents back online.
World food prices highest in nearly two years
The FAO Food Price Index surged by 2 percent during January to its highest level in almost two years, fueled by fears of tightening sugar supplies, a downturn in U.S. wheat plantings and uncertain prospects for grain crops in South America. The index fell for five years in a row through 2016 but now has risen for six consecutive months.
Interview: Perdue finds animal welfare makes a better bird
Animal-welfare measures created last year by giant poultry company Perdue Farms Inc., in a break with traditional poultry raising practices, are starting to show results, Perdue executives said last week. In an interview in Atlanta at the International Production and Processing Expo, the largest annual meeting of the poultry business, Perdue chairman Jim Perdue and Dr. Bruce Stewart-Brown, senior vice president of food safety, quality and live operations, told FERN’s Ag Insider the measures, which focus on “what a chicken wants,” are producing more active, higher quality birds.
Sonny Perdue, third USDA chief to work in agriculture as an adult
An array of food, farm and agribusiness groups and companies asked in a letter to Senate Agriculture Committee leaders for "expeditious confirmation" of former Georgia Gov. Sonny Perdue as agriculture secretary. "Though some (agriculture secretaries) were raised on a farm, only two actually lived and worked in agriculture as adults," says the letter. "If confirmed, Sonny Perdue will be number three."