The second annual Dairy Strong conference, held in Madison, Wisconsin, began its first full day with an opening address from Wisconsin Governor Scott Walker. Though the Dairy Strong conference is internationally attended and focuses on global collaboration, there is no denying that Wisconsin is one of the dairy industry’s shining stars. Walker’s speech highlighted the value of Wisconsin’s dairy industry, … Read More
NCBA Urges House to Support Disapproval of WOTUS
The National Cattlemen’s Beef Association and Public Lands Council, along with 42 state affiliate organizations, have sent a letter to the House of Representatives urging support of Senate Joint Resolution 22, disapproval of the EPA and Army Corps’ “waters of the United States” rule. NCBA President Philip Ellis, said withdrawal or defunding of WOTUS remains a top priority for cattlemen. … Read More
USDA Helps Iowa in Nutrient Management & Water Quality
USDA to help Iowa’s farmers and livestock producers conserve water and soil resources and improve nutrient management practices. Agriculture Secretary Tom Vilsack said they will expand access to USDA’s signature conservation programs for Iowa producers, making available up to 85,000 additional acres for sensitive lands, and better target grants and loans for technical assistance and capital improvements, while working with … Read More
Virginia Governor Proposes New Equine Facilities at Virginia Tech
A recent announcement by Virginia Governor Terry McAuliffe included plans surrounding the funding for new and renovated livestock, poultry, and equine facilities at Virginia Tech University as one part of a proposed $2.43 billion bond package. The proposed facilities are part of several proposed capital improvement projects around the state, all of which are aimed at strengthening the commonwealth’s research … Read More
COOL Repeal Secured in Funding Bill
U.S. Senator Pat Roberts, Chairman of the Senate Committee on Agriculture, Nutrition and Forestry, has announced the inclusion of mandatory Country of Origin Labeling (COOL) repeal in the year-end funding bill. The bill is currently awaiting a vote in the U.S. House of Representatives. COOL, first authorized in the 2002 Farm Bill and amended in the 2008 Farm Bill, was … Read More
EPA's WOTUS Social Media Campaign Judged Illegal
In a legal opinion released on Monday, the Government Accountability Office (GAO) found that the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) “violated publicity or propaganda and anti-lobbying provisions contained in appropriations acts with its use of certain social media platforms in association with its Waters of the United States (WOTUS) rulemaking.” According to the GAO: Specifically, EPA violated the publicity or propaganda … Read More
$40 Million to Help Ranchers Restore Sage Grouse Habitat
There will be $40 million available to help ranchers and other partners in 11 western states restore and protect sagebrush habitat for greater sage-grouse on privately-owned land. Agriculture Secretary Tom Vilsack said this investment is part of USDA’s four-year, $211 million Sage Grouse Initiative 2.0 through the Working Lands for Wildlife (WLFW) partnership. The WLFW partnership uses seven focus species, … Read More
White House Pulls South Africa’s AGOA Benefits
The White House has announced that beginning Jan. 1 South Africa will lose its privilege to ship to the United States agricultural products through the African Growth and Opportunity Act (AGOA) at a zero-tariff rate. The National Pork Producers Council supports this and has been urging the administration to withdraw or limit trade benefits for South Africa because of that … Read More
Senate Passes #WOTUS Resolution
By a vote of 53-44, the U.S. Senate passed a joint “resolution of disapproval” of the EPA Clean Water rule known as ‘Waters of the United States’ (WOTUS). Resolution sponsor Senator Joni Ernst (R-IA) says the action would “put an end to” the expanded EPA rule. “Our resolution stops the EPA from continuing to act as an unchecked federal agency … Read More
Foreign Dairy Subsidies Limits U.S. Farmers’
The National Milk Producers Federation (NMPF) believes while the United States has reduced support mechanisms for dairy farmers in recent years, a wide range of foreign dairy subsidies remain, limiting the U.S. industry’s ability to sell more of its products overseas. NMPF gave testimony before the House Agriculture Committee, saying these “foreign dairy support programs impede an industry that has … Read More