Trump trade war: ‘We’re going to hang with him,’ says Farm Bureau chief The Sino-U.S. trade war, which as stymied U.S. farm exports, “is going to be a long one, and we keep delivering the message, ‘We’re with you, Mr. President,’” said the leader of the largest U.S. farm group… Continue reading
Status-quo farm bill nears victory with modifications already in the air After months as an ideological flashpoint, a toned-down farm bill is on track for bipartisan passage in Congress this week, short of a proposal for stricter SNAP work requirements. Enactment won’t end debate over the status-quo legislation. Opposition mounts… Continue reading
Wary Democrats slow path for USDA civil rights nominee The Senate Agriculture Committee cleared three USDA nominees for a floor vote on Wednesday, but significant Democratic opposition could prevent a confirmation vote this year on Naomi Earp, President Trump’s pick to be the agency’s assistant secretary for civil rights. Trade… Continue reading
Final farm bill hurdle: White House forestry demands Congressional leaders are taking a direct hand in the final farm bill fight—the Trump administration’s demands for a freer hand in fire prevention in national forests—with a decision possible as early as today that would allow a lame-duck vote on the $87-billion-a-year… Continue reading
Hotter and drier, with a drop in production, is the future of U.S. agriculture Climate change will bring higher temperatures and more frequent drought to farmers across the United States, resulting in reduced crop and livestock yields, according to the National Climate Assessment that was released over the weekend. USDA’s… Continue reading
As lame duck session opens, farm bill isn’t ready for a vote A month ago, the lead negotiators on the farm bill linked arms in a show of unity and said they wanted to have the $87-billion-a-year legislation ready for a vote when Congress convened for its post-election session. The… Continue reading
Trump’s trade war knocks soybeans out of running for top U.S. crop for a decade The neck-and-neck race between soybeans and corn for the title of No. 1 U.S. crop is over after one lap, with corn the victor and soybeans out of the running due to trade war with… Continue reading
Two SNAP proposals in the House could cut enrollment by 8 percent, say researchers A nonpartisan research group says that two of the lesser-known provisions at issue during Senate-House negotiations over the 2018 farm bill could reduce food stamp enrollment by 8 percent. Those affected would include large numbers of… Continue reading
Farm income stabilizes a bit, but financial stress edges upward U.S. farm income is higher than expected this year and is regaining its footing after taking a tumble early this decade, said the Agriculture Department on Thursday. Nonetheless, net farm income will be the lowest since 2006, and the debt-to-asset… Continue reading
Trade war ends China’s role as top U.S. ag export customer Canada, runner-up for most of this decade, has replaced China as the top market for U.S. farm exports because of the high tariffs that have discouraged sales in the Sino-U.S. trade war, said the Agriculture Department on Wednesday. China… Continue reading
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