Out with NAFTA and in with USMCA, the initials for the new U.S.-Mexico-Canada agreement. “This new deal is an especially great victory for our farmers,” said President Donald Trump as he announced the agreement this morning. “The deal includes a substantial increase in our farmers’ opportunities to export American wheat, poultry, eggs and dairy – including milk, butter, cheese, yogurt … Read More
Farm Bill Conference Committee Meets This Week
The 2018 Farm Bill Conference Committee will hold its first public meeting this week on Wednesday, September 5 at 9:30 am Eastern. Agriculture Committee Chairmen Sen. Pat Roberts, R-Kan., and Rep. K. Michael Conaway, R-Texas, and Ranking Members Sen. Debbie Stabenow, D-Mich., and Rep. Collin Peterson, D-Minn., announced the meeting last month, saying that they are “committed to working together … Read More
Reaction to President Trump’s SOTU
President Donald Trump made no direct mention of agriculture in his first State of the Union address, but he did address important issues for agriculture and rural America including infrastructure and immigration, trade and taxes. Trump called on Congress to “produce a bill that generates at least $1.5 trillion for the new infrastructure investment that our country so desperately needs,” … Read More
Farmers Union Survey Stresses WI Dairy Opposition to TPP
In a survey of more than 1,000 dairy producers, conducted by Wisconsin Farmers Union (WFU), nearly 80 percent of respondents agreed TPP should be rejected until milk import concerns are resolved in the agreement. “This survey underscores what we have been consistently hearing from producers all across the country. TPP is a bad deal for America’s family farmers and ranchers. … Read More
NFU Thanks Lawmaker Support for Direct Dairy Assistance
National Farmers Union (NFU) praise several lawmakers for their support of critically needed assistance for the nation’s dairy sector. Two letters, championed by Sens. Patrick Leahy (D-Vt.) and Jeanne Shaheen (D-N.H.), were sent to the Office of Management and Budget (OMB) Director Shaun Donovan and Senate Appropriations Committee leadership, respectively, requesting direct financial aid to farmers and broader authority for … Read More
Groups Respond to USDA’s GIPSA Rules
Many livestock organizations have concerns with the regulations on the buying and selling of livestock and poultry after the USDA sent to the White House Office of Management and Budget (OMB) for review three rules – the “Farmer Fair Practices Rules” – that would “help balance the relationships between livestock producers, swine production contract growers, and poultry growers and the … Read More
NFU Celebrates National Dairy Month
As consumers indulge in their favorite dairy products this month, National Farmers Union (NFU) is taking a step back to the farm gate to recognize the hardworking family farmers who are involved in dairy production across the U.S. “National Dairy Month provides a great platform to educate consumers about U.S. dairy production and promote industry initiatives – such as the … Read More
Senate Ag Committee Holds Livestock & Poultry Hearing
U.S. Senator Pat Roberts, R-Kan., Chairman of the Senate Committee on Agriculture, Nutrition and Forestry, held a hearing on the U.S. livestock and poultry sectors, titled “A Review of the U.S. Livestock and Poultry Sectors: Marketplace Opportunities and Challenges.” It has been five years since a hearing like this has taken place. Farmers and ranchers across the country took part … Read More
NFU Supports Legislation to Ban Packer Ownership
National Farmers Union (NFU) released the following statement commending U.S. Senator Chuck Grassley (R-Iowa) for reintroducing legislation to ban packer ownership of livestock: “The livestock market today is heavily concentrated among a handful of conglomerates, and our family farmers and ranchers are forced to compete in an increasingly uneven playing field in the marketplace. I applaud Senator Grassley for championing … Read More
NFU Hosts Presser On TPP Opposition
While many United States trade officials are promoting the Trans-Pacific Partnership (TPP) as an export-boon for agriculture, the National Farmers Union (NFU) continues to stand strong in their opposition of the free trade agreement. NFU, representing nearly 200,000 family farmers and ranchers, hosted a media teleconference this morning to talk about the TPP and announce a letter signed by 160 … Read More