Ag Policy
Immediate Help for Over 13,000 Distressed USDA Farm Loan Borrowers; Begins process to provide up to $500 million more for up to 23,000 additional borrowers.
USDA seeks input on how to identify those who experienced discrimination and what kind of evidence should be submitted to back up the claims.
American Farm Bureau Federation (AFBF) released its general new farm bill recommendations on Thursday. First on the AFBF’s list: “protect farm bill program spending.”
The Virginia farmers filing the suit allege repeal of the debt relief effort is a breach of contract by the government, arguing some farmers made financial plans based on the expectation of getting debt relief.
Today, the National Cattlemen’s Beef Association reaffirmed support for the National Pork Producer’s Council following Supreme Court oral arguments in the case NPPC v. Ross.
Global inflation will likely decrease to 6.5% in 2023 and to 4.1% by 2024, according to the International Monetary Fund (IMF) forecast.
A labor strike along U.S. railroads is still a possibility after the third-largest railroad union rejected a tentative labor agreement this week. The agreement had the support of the White House.
Testimony heard by the U.S. Department of Labor (DOL) through “tens of thousands” of comments, as well as a roundtable on Thursday, led the DOL to adopt the proposed H-2A changes proposed in 2019.
By the end of the year, the Biden administration is expected to issue new rules that Government Lawyer Brian Fletcher told the court will “provide greater clarity to the regulated public on all parts of the test.”
USDA says the organizations were selected for their proven track records working with farmworkers, meatpacking workers, and grocery workers. The funds amount to $600 per person and will be dispersed in the fall.
The North American Meat Institute answered questions asked of meat and poultry industry companies by House Agriculture Committee Chairman David Scott during a hearing on beef and cattle markets.
Agriculture Secretary Tom Vilsack announced details of the USDA’s $300 million investment, that aims to help build new and better markets and streams of income for farmers and producers through organic production.
USDA Offers Greater Protection and Flexibility With RMA’s Transitional and Organic Grower Assistance
Agriculture producers with Federal crop insurance for crops in transition to organic or a certified organic grain or feed crop are eligible to receive premium assistance from the USDA for the 2023 reinsurance year.
Starting in October, France will ban the use of meat names like “steak” and “sausage” on plant-based protein food in an effort to avoid confusion over the trendy meat alternatives.
More than 16% of new cars sold in California in 2022 were zero-emissions vehicles, the state said, up from 12.41% in 2021 and 7.78% in 2020.
When adjusted for inflation, 2022 net cash farm income is forecast to increase by $13.5 billion (8.7%) from 2021 and be at its highest level since 2012.
Recently introduced legislation would increase annual funding for two programs that aim to bolster global demand for U.S. agricultural products.
House Republicans asked the General Accountability Office to conduct a study on U.S. lands owned by foreign entities. The letter was signed by scores of other House Republicans.
A pandemic-era program that provided free breakfast and lunch to all schoolchildren expired this year. Republicans voted against efforts to include free school meals this week. Biden’s plan reinstates the program.
The WOTUS case, Sackett v. EPA, centers on a long-running dispute involving an Idaho couple named Chantell and Michael Sackett. The Sacketts have won at the Supreme Court before.
The White House announced several steps to increase access of fruits and vegetables as a food source, but some say animal protein is also an answer to the need for healthy and nutritious food for all Americans.
The National Strategy on Hunger, Nutrition, and Health released on Tuesday will cover everything from a congressional push for $15 per hour minimum wage to research in soil management impacts on human health.
President Richard Nixon hosted the last White House Conference on Food, Nutrition and Health in 1969. That confab led to expansions of the food stamp program, the school lunch program and WIC.
Swiss voters on Sunday rejected a proposal to ban “factory farming” in a referendum on whether the wealthy country’s strict animal welfare laws need to be tightened yet further.
As backlogs at U.S. ports and climbing shipping rates plague the supply chain, new data shows container shipping rates between the U.S and China are dropping by more than 50% in just a month.
NCBA said it is pleased to see the pilot program progressing and note the important decision to use the Livestock Mandatory Reporting statutes as a basis for any subsequent rulemakings.
In preparation for farm bill 2023, the House Ag Committee met on Tuesday to grasp the highs and lows of the current farm bill and fill any gaps in 2023.
NCBA vice president of governmental affairs appeared on AgriTalk with Chip Flory to discuss COVID-19 relief packages and working with the new Biden administration.
The Cattle Market Transparency Act, if enacted, would direct the Secretary of Agriculture and the Office of the Chief Economist at USDA to establish regional mandatory minimums for negotiated trade of fed cattle.
In a discussion on AgriTalk, Ethan Lane discussed the group’s objections to the plan, and what alternatives could be.