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USDA Approves Three New Poultry Plants on Assurances of Chinese Government Alone

Today, advocacy group Food & Water Watch sent a letter to U.S. Department of Agriculture Secretary Sonny Perdue questioning the agency's controversial decision to approve three new poultry slaughter facilities in China as "equivalent" to facilities operating under the USDA's food safety system. The letter cites the "irregular" process in approving these facilities and asks for clarification on how the decision was made.

May beef exports shatter value record

U.S. beef exports set a new value record in May while also increasing significantly year over year in volume, according to data released by USDA and compiled by the U.S. Meat Export Federation . Beef export volume was 117,871 metric tons in May, the sixth-largest on record, valued at a remarkable $722.1 million, which surpassed the previous monthly high by a healthy 4 percent and was 24 percent higher than a year ago.

St. Paul’s Urban Roots teaches teens to cook, conserve, and reconnect with nature

Founded by architects in 1969 as a housing development organization, Urban Roots has since evolved to focus on food and wellness. With multiple sites throughout St. Paul totaling one acre of land, they teach high school interns all about growing and cooking food as well as conservation.

USDA Estimates Record-Breaking 2018 Almond Crop

Despite concerns earlier in the year about freezing weather during almond bloom, careful management by California farmers and newer orchards coming into production have resulted in a record-breaking crop according to the 2018 Almond Objective Measurement Report. This confirms earlier predictions from the 2018 Almond Subjective Forecast released in May. Published today by the United States Department of Agriculture National Agricultural Statistics Service - Pacific Regional Office , the Objective Report is the official industry crop estimate.

Illinois’ Farmers Invest Nearly $4 Billion In 2018 Corn Crop

ILLINOIS' FARMERS INVEST NEARLY $4 BILLION IN 2018 CORN CROP Jul. 6, 2018 Source: Illinois Corn Growers Association For the second year in a row, Illinois corn farmers have invested close to $4 billion in crop inputs, supplies and services to grow their crop. That is despite the fact that the 2018 Illinois corn crop represents an estimated 200,000 fewer planted acres than last year.

Bladen County Farm Service Agency Acreage Reporting Dates for 2018

Elizabethtown, N.C. , July 5, 2018 - U.S. Department of Agriculture Farm Service Agency Executive Director Chris Tatum in Bladen County today announced that producers who file accurate and timely reports for all crops and land uses, including failed acreage, can prevent the potential loss of FSA program benefits. Please pay close attention to the acreage reporting dates below.

Deadline Approaching For USDA Crop Reporting

Greene County U.S. Department of Agriculture Farm Service Agency Executive Director Lisa Duncan has announced that producers who file accurate and timely reports for all crops and land uses, including failed acreage, can prevent the potential loss of FSA program benefits. In order to comply with FSA program eligibility requirements, all producers are encouraged to visit the Greene County FSA office to file an accurate crop certification report by the applicable deadline.

Ag Sec’y Perdue Says Plan To Compensate Farmers Hurt By Tariffs Will Be Announced Near Labor Day

AG SEC'Y PERDUE SAYS PLAN TO COMPENSATE FARMERS HURT BY TARIFFS WILL BE ANNOUNCED NEAR LABOR DAY Jul. 2, 2018 Successful Farming reports: Agriculture Secretary Sonny Perdue is giving himself a couple of months - until around Labor Day - before deciding whether to proceed with President Trump's promise of shielding farmers from "China's unfair retaliation." For tactical reasons, Perdue has declined to say how USDA would aid producers or how much it might spend.

Study finds majority of Americans question safety of GMOs

With USDA's Agricultural Marketing Service's July 3 deadline to comment on the National Bioengineered Food Disclosure Law fast approaching, the International Food Information Council Foundation tested reactions to the three bioengineered labeling symbols and two variations of text disclosures. In every combination, levels of concern across a variety of factors increased-often substantially-when a disclosure label was applied.

Kansas Farmer Outlines Costly Toll Of Overregulation At Congressional Hearing

KANSAS FARMER OUTLINES COSTLY TOLL OF OVERREGULATION AT CONGRESSIONAL HEARING Jun. 25, 2018 Source: American Farm Bureau news release America's farmers and ranchers are facing an economic storm. With farm income levels that have been slashed by half since 2013, a continued slump in crop prices and export markets in serious peril, the hit farmers are taking from costly regulations only intensifies the storm, according to Kansas farmer Glenn Brunkow.

USDA: Livestock And Poultry Weights Per Animal Are Increasing Steadily

USDA: LIVESTOCK AND POULTRY WEIGHTS PER ANIMAL ARE INCREASING STEADILY Jun. 25, 2018 Source: USDA news release Regardless of species, livestock and poultry animals are being slaughtered at heavier weights than in the past. Aside from the availability of relatively cheap feed ingredients since 2014, improved feed efficiency has contributed to faster growth and higher animal weights.

Charter School Breaks Ground for Expansion

A year from now, The Academy of Moore County will have even more to celebrate than burgeoning enrollment and the 10-year anniversary of its campus on U.S. 15-501 south of Aberdeen. Teachers, parents, students and board members marked the start of construction on a new building, the first major expansion on the Academy's campus, on Wednesday.

Fourth-generation farmer named FSA administratorAlso, herea s what to…

U.S. Secretary of Agriculture Sonny Perdue recently announced the appointment of Richard Fordyce to serve as administrator of the USDA Farm Service Agency . In his role, Fordyce will provide leadership for FSA and its mission to support agricultural production across America through a network of over 2,100 county and 50 state offices.