Couser Cattle Company was home to Secretary of Agriculture Sonny Perdue’s stop in Iowa last Friday. The Secretary was welcomed by Bill, Nancy and Tim Couser, as well as Iowa Senators Joni Erst and Chuck Grassley, and Rep. Steve King. Perdue said President Trump wanted him to relay that he understands that American agriculture is vital to the U.S. economy. … Read More
Livestock Groups Detail Disease Prevention at Farm Bill Hearing
The National Turkey Federation, along with 65 major animal agriculture groups, animal science organizations and veterinarians have united behind a new Animal Disease and Disaster Prevention Program, urging Congress to include this program in the 2018 Farm Bill. Andy Snider of Michigan Turkey producers who will testify during the Senate Agriculture Committee’s Farm Bill field hearing Saturday morning at Michigan … Read More
Animal Proteins – Focus for Branstad as China Ambassador
The longest serving governor in the country will be drawing on his agricultural trade experience and 30 year friendship with Chinese President Xi Jinping to serve as U.S. Ambassador to China. During his confirmation hearing Tuesday before the Senate Foreign Relations Committee, Iowa Governor Terry Branstad was asked by Sen. Christopher Coons (D-DE) what he will do to get more … Read More
Dairy D.C. Fly-In Builds Support for Trade with Canada, Mexico
The National Milk Producers Federation (NMPF) and the U.S. Dairy Export Council (USDEC) organized U.S. dairy leaders from across the country in Washington, D.C., this week to urge Congress and Trump Administration officials to hold Canada accountable for its trade violations and hasten the repeal of Canada’s controversial new dairy pricing system. More than 40 farmers and dairy company executives … Read More
U.S. Dairy Comments on USTR Report on Common Food Names
The U.S. dairy industry joined the Consortium for Common Food Names (CCFN) in hailing a report on intellectual property issued by the U.S. Trade Representative’s Office (USTR) outlining the Trump Administration’s commitment to curtailing the damaging abuses of geographical indications (GIs). “Many countries protect legitimate GIs, including the United States,” said Jaime Castaneda, executive director for CCFN, an international alliance … Read More
NCBA Praises Proposed Death Tax Repeal
The Trump Administration released their proposal for comprehensive tax reform this week, calling it the “biggest tax cut in U.S. history.” Danielle Beck, National Cattlemen’s Beef Association director of government affairs, said the Administration included in the proposal immediate repeal of the Death Tax, a priority for NCBA. “Permanent repeal of the death tax has been a priority for cattlemen … Read More
Trump Begins Efforts to Rein in the Antiquities Act
The Public Lands Council and the National Cattlemen’s Beef Association have applauded the executive order signed today that calls for a review of designations made under the Antiquities Act by previous presidents. Dave Eliason, PLC president, said while the Act was intended to preserve Native American artifacts and areas of historical importance, Presidents have instead used the Act to bypass … Read More
POTUS Comments on Animal Ag & Trade
President Trump welcomed new Secretary of Agriculture Sonny Perdue on his first day in office for a White House “Farmers Roundtable” where animal agriculture sat center stage and the signing of an Executive Order establishing an Interagency Task Force on Agriculture and Rural Prosperity. During the signing, President Trump commented on the current trade dispute with Canada over dairy product … Read More
Senate Confirms Sonny Perdue
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. Agribusinessman, veterinarian, state legislator, and governor of Georgia, Perdue worked on the family farm in central Georgia andn will be only the fourth agriculture secretary who can claim to have been … Read More
EPA Admin Visits Missouri to Talk WOTUS & Energy
Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) Administrator Scott Pruitt visited rural Missourians, April 20, 2017, at the Thomas Hill Energy Center in Clifton Hill, Mo. The Association of Missouri Electric Cooperatives hosted the event, which also featured U.S. Senator Roy Blunt and all major agricultural organizations. “It is fitting that the farm and ranch families we represent stand alongside the rural electric … Read More