United States

Last week, the Ag Insider reported AgSec Vilsack's comments on working with a nonprofit group on a potential mentoring project for beginning farmers.

A federal appeals court says it will hear arguments on May 19 before the court's full panel of judges in a challenge by the meat industry to U.S. meat-labeling rules, says Canadian Press.

Nearly 15 percent of Americans live in nonmetropolitan counties, also known as rural areas, a total of 46.2 mln people in 2013.

The tax reform package unveiled on Wednesday by House Ways and Means chairman Dave Camp includes an industry-backed plan for higher fuel taxes to pay for improvements to U.S. inland locks, dams and waterways.

Eighteen US senators sign letter to USTR Michael Froman saying United States should press Japan to increase market access for US farm exports.

Record yields will result in record large US corn and soybean crops, USDA said at its Outlook Forum, based on current commodity prices, which affect plantings, and on normal weather.

1. Environmental Working Group produces a GMO-free food guide. In a nutshell, it says, buy organic or verified GMO-free foods and steer away from food made with corn, soybeans, sugar and vegetable oils because most of the US supply comes from biotech crops.

A high-resolution search by satellite found 15 to 20 percent more cropland in the world than previously thought and identified India as the world leader, says the U.S. Geological Survey. The USGS says its new map, showing 1.87 billion hectares of cropland, will help "to ensure global food and water security in a sustainable way."