Category: Farm Report

‘No fowl play’ as Biden pardons Thanksgiving turkeys In a traditional moment of White House whimsy ahead of Thanksgiving, President Biden pardoned tom turkeys “Chocolate” and “Chip” on Monday. An outbreak of bird flu has driven up turkey prices and crimped supplies for the holiday season. After poor start, little… Continue reading

Farm bill proposal: Strengthen subsidy limits, boost land stewardship With its toothless payment limits, the U.S. farm program directs billions of dollars a year to the largest and wealthiest farmers in America while struggling family farmers often are overlooked, said the National Sustainable Agriculture Coalition. It called for farm bill… Continue reading

House task force pushes for climate action in 2023 farm bill A House task force on climate and agriculture, led by Democratic Reps. Chellie Pingree of Maine and Kim Schrier of Washington State, released a report Thursday recommending policies for the 2023 farm bill to make it as climate-friendly as… Continue reading

‘We need action’ by Senate on farm labor reform’ With congressional adjournment on the horizon, a parade of farmers, food processors, and lawmakers called on the Senate on Wednesday to get to work on legislation to give legal status to undocumented farmworkers and streamline the H-2A guestworker program. The House… Continue reading

USDA prepares more disaster and pandemic aid Two USDA programs will dispense aid based on a farmer’s revenue losses from natural disasters or the pandemic, said Agriculture Secretary Tom Vilsack on Tuesday. “These new programs apply a holistic approach to emergency assistance — an approach not focused on any one… Continue reading

Climate a top issue despite turnover in House, says Vilsack Food and agriculture will play an ever-larger role in climate negotiations on the world stage, said Agriculture Secretary Tom Vilsack after participating in the UN climate summit underway in Egypt. Global warming will also be a top issue for the… Continue reading

House Agriculture to lose one in five members Between retirement and electoral defeat, 10 members will leave the House Agriculture Committee when the congressional session ends next month — one-fifth of its roster. White House bolsters security for food and ag sector The federal government will keep a closer eye… Continue reading

5 Ways to Support Veteran Farmers on Veterans Day (AG Insider) On November 11th, we pay respect to the estimated 18 million people who have served in the US Armed Forces. Although veterans go into many fields after their military service, many have transitioned into agricultural work — an estimated… Continue reading

U.S. cotton production edges upward, market price falls The drought-hit U.S. cotton crop is slightly larger than previously thought, at 14 million bales, but exports are stagnant for this marketing year, said the USDA on Thursday. The monthly WASDE report said cotton production was down worldwide. Lawmakers grumble about being… Continue reading

Fewer old hands on House Ag panel to write new farm bill With five dozen races still to be called, Republicans were ahead in House seats in Tuesday’s general elections that also marked the departure of at least four long-time members of the House Agriculture Committee. That means the House… Continue reading