The U.S. Senate has formally confirmed the nomination of George Ervin “Sonny” Perdue III to serve as the 31st Secretary of Agriculture. The final vote was 87 to 11. Perdue, an agribusinessman, veterinarian, state legislator, and former governor of Georgia, grew up working on his family farm in central Georgia, making him the fourth agriculture secretary who has worked as …
Senate Urged to Vote on USDA Secretary
As the agriculture industry continues to operate without leadership at the USDA, industry groups, including the American Farm Bureau Federation (AFBF), have been urging the Senate to vote this weekand confirm Sonny Perdue as U.S. Secretary of Agriculture before recessing for spring break. House Agriculture Committee Chairman Michael Conaway (R-TX) and Ranking Member Collin Peterson (D-MN) have also urged Congress …
Agriculture Secretary Nominee Hearing
The Senate Agriculture Committee held a confirmation hearing March 23 for former Georgia Governor Ervin “Sonny” Perdue III who has been nominated by President Trump to serve as Secretary of Agriculture. During the hearing, Perdue outlined his four overall goals as agriculture secretary – to maximize opportunity of agriculture to create jobs, prioritize customer service every day, ensure a safe …
USDA Ag Outlook Forum
The USDA Agricultural Outlook Forum was held this week in Arlington, Virginia. The distinguished speaker at this year’s event was former Iowa Governor Terry Branstad, who was recently nominated as ambassador to China. Branstad took time during his speech to praise incoming Secretary of Agriculture Sonny Perdue and share his thoughts on the future of agriculture and economic development in …
USDA Announces New GIPSA Rules
Agriculture Secretary Tom Vilsack announced updated regulations under the Grain Inspection, Packers and Stockyards Administration (GIPSA). The “Farmer Fair Practices Rules” outline “common sense protections to restore fairness and reduce the burden for farmers seeking justice under the Packers and Stockyards Act.” Joining Vilsack for the announcement were National Farmers Union president Roger Johnson and Mike Weaver, president of the …
General Mills, Xerces Society & NRCS Hit Milestone
The U.S. Department of Agriculture hosted an announcement between themselves, General Mills, and the largest and oldest pollinator conservation organization, the Xerces Society this morning. The three organizations are joining together to protect the habitats of pollinators on hundreds of thousands of acres of farmland. The project is a five-year, $4 million commitment to provide the technical assistance for planting …
U.S. Trade Enforcement Action Against China
U.S. Trade Representative (USTR) Michael Froman, Agriculture Secretary Tom Vilsack, and a bipartisan group of federal lawmakers today announced the launch of trade enforcement action against China at the World Trade Organization (WTO). The action challenges China’s use of “market price support” for three key crops (rice, wheat, and corn) in excess of China’s commitments under WTO rules. Congressional members …
#Biobased2016 Helps Build Demand for #Soybeans
The United Soybean Board held its 2016 Biobased Stakeholders’ Dialogue July 7 at USDA headquarters in Washington DC. The event featured the debut of a new soy biobased video and an address by Agriculture Secretary Tom Vilsack, as well as displays of biobased products, speakers who shared their success stories and information on USDA’s BioPreferred® Program. Because of the potential …
USDA Predicts Record #Soybean & More Corn Acres
USDA’s National Agricultural Statistics Service (NASS) planted acreage report for this year estimates record soybean plantings and increased corn acres over last year. The report estimates U.S. soybean planted area at a record high 83.7 million acres, up 1 percent from last year, while corn growers increased their acreage from last year by 7 percent to 94.1 million acres, making …
Vilsack Discusses 2017 USDA Budget
Agriculture Secretary Tom Vilsack hosted a national media call to discuss the Obama administration’s 2017 budget request for USDA programs. “The President’s 2017 Budget request aims to ensure USDA’s programs continue to invest in agriculture research and development, target effective strategies to protect our natural resources, and expand markets and economic opportunity for our farmers, ranchers, and the people who …
Wetland Preservation Gets $9M from USDA
Agriculture Secretary Tom Vilsack has announced the establishment of the Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS) Wetland Mitigation Banking Program, made possible by the 2014 Farm Bill. The program will provide $9 million to help states, local governments or other qualified partners develop wetland mitigation banks that restore, create, or enhance wetland ecosystems, broadening the conservation options available to farmers and …
Vilsack Talks Trade, Climate & SOTU
USDA Ag Secretary Tom Vilsack held a press call yesterday to discuss President Obama’s last State of the Union (SOTU) address. Vilsack, who has served in the capacity of Ag Secretary throughout Obama’s Administration, said he is very proud to have been part of an administration that has basically taken the country from a brink of an economic collapse to …
USDA Secretary Addresses Dairy and Meat Issues
Agriculture Secretary Tom Vilsack spoke to the joint meeting of the National Milk Producers Federation (NMPF), the National Dairy Promotion and Research Board (NDB), and the United Dairy Industry Association (UDIA) in Orlando this week, highlighting the positives in the face of lower milk prices and discussing the opportunities for the industry to move forward in the future. In an …
USDA and Protec Fuel Partner for More Biofuel Pumps
Agriculture Secretary Tom Vilsack was at a Citgo station in Kissimmee, Florida Wednesday to announce a USDA partnership to increase fueling pumps for biofuels in 21 states through the Biofuel Infrastructure Partnership (BIP). The investment will nearly double the number of fueling pumps nationwide that supply renewable fuels to American motorists. Vilsack was joined by Protec Fuel VP of Operations …
Audio on Trans Pacific Partnership
The Trans Pacific Partnership (TPP) was finalized by 12 nations on Monday, October 5 in Atlanta, Georgia. During a press conference announcing the agreement, there were many comments about agricultural products in the talks, particularly dairy which was the final piece of the puzzle to fall into place early Monday morning. U.S. Trade Ambassador Michael Froman talks about ag benefits …