American Farm Bureau Federation
US gains peace with Brazil on cotton with $300 million pact
Brazil agreed to end a decade-old World Trade Organization case against U.S. cotton subsidies and to a peace clause for the life of the 2014 farm law in exchange for $300 million and technical assistance for its cotton sector.
Clean water rule doesn’t cover most ag work-EPA chief
Normal agricultural activities are exempt from regulation under the Clean Water Act and the proposed "Waters of the United States" regulation won't change that, EPA Administrator Gina McCarthy said. The rule, proposed in March, is opposed vocally in farm country. The American Farm Bureau Federation, for example, began a "ditch the rule" campaign out of concern of federal regulation of farm ditches.
Russia bans ag and food imports from the West
President Vladimir Putin issued a decree that bans or reduces for one year imports of food and agricultural products from countries that have imposed sanctions on Russia in the crisis over Ukraine. "The Kremlin decree doesn't specify which items will be affected," said the BBC.
Calm farm fears on water rule, senators ask administration
Thirteen Democratic senators asked the administration to quell concerns in farm country about what is covered by the so-called Waters of the United States rule.
Divergent ag views of EPA plan on power plant emissions
The two largest U.S. farm groups hold widely divergent views on the EPA proposal to reduce carbon dioxide emissions from power plants by 30 percent in coming years.
Vilsack pushes for House action on immigration reform
Wild West days at the Big Data ranch
The big questions for the emerging Big Data era in agriculture will be resolved in the next couple of years, a panel of experts said on Tuesday, although none suggested the likely results.
Anti-hunger lawmaker expects more attacks on food stamps
Rep Jim McGovern, who opposed food stamp cuts in the 2014 farm law, says opponents are not satisfied with narrowing the connection between utility assistance and additional food stamps.
Farm Bureau opposes water rule
The largest U.S. farm group strongly criticized a proposed clean water rule as "an unlawful expansion of federal regulation to cover routine farming and ranching practices as well as other common private land uses, such as building homes."
lmmigration reform – plenty of push but no drive
RollCall says about two dozen House Republicans are on record in support of the principles for immigration reform unveiled by their leaders a month ago and three dozen are against it.