U.S. bans imports of Brazilian beef over safety concerns

The U.S. Department of Agriculture announced the immediate suspension of fresh beef imports from the South American country on Thursday after inspections uncovered public health concerns, unsanitary conditions and animal health issues. Brazil is the fifth biggest supplier of beef to the U.S., ranking behind only Canada, Australia, New Zealand and Mexico.

Brazil’s beef production is second only to that of the United States, according to USDA data

The ban will remain in place until satisfactory corrective actions are taken, the US Department of Agriculture said in a statement. "Although international trade is an important part of what we do at USDA, and Brazil has long been one of our partners, my first priority is to protect American consumers," US Agriculture Secretary Sonny Perdue said.

A complete rundown of President Trump’s speech in Cedar Rapids

The Latest on President Donald Trumps' trip to Iowa : 9 p.m. President Donald Trump says he wishes China would offer "a little more help" in applying pressure to North Korea. Trump says at a rally in Cedar Rapid, Iowa: "I wish we would have a little more help with respect to North Korea from China.

The Illusion Of Declining Debt To Income Ratios

In some states, when a couple enters into divorce, the court may award "alimony," or spousal support, to one of the former spouses for the express purpose of limiting any unfair economic effects by providing a continuing income to the spouse. The purpose is to help that spouse continue the "standard of living" they had during the marriage.

World coffee stocks to shrink to six-year low in 2017-18

World coffee stocks will fall next season to their lowest in six years - and for even longer in major exporting countries - sapped by record demand at a time of only marginally rising output. The US Department of Agriculture, in its first global coffee estimates for 2017-18, forecast stocks closing the season at 34.0m bags, a drop of 1.1m bags year on year, and the lowest since the end of 2011-12.

Howell: Cotton skids to new lows as 2017-18 export prospects cut

Monthly supply-demand estimates showing a largely unexpected cut in U.S. 2017-18 exports and a buildup in world ending stocks outside China helped set the stage for a marketing week selloff in cotton futures. July lost 464 points for the week ended Thursday to close at 71.91 cents, its lowest close since Dec. 30. December shed 363 points to settle at 69.47 cents, its lowest finish since Dec. 28. The market lost ground across the board five sessions in a row.

Agencies Promise Efficiencies, but Not Workforce Cuts in Reorganization Plans

Federal agencies working to restructure themselves are focusing primarily on serving their customers better rather than ways to cut the workforce, leaders told a Senate panel Thursday, which promised thorough oversight of the Trump administration's reorganization efforts. Agency leaders said they were taking seriously suggestions from their rank-and-file employees on how to institute more efficiencies as part of their reform planning.

$600,000 USDA conservation grant awarded to MOFGA

The USDA's Natural Resources Conservation Service announced that it will award a $600,000 Conservation Innovation Grant to the Maine Organic Farmers and Gardeners Association . This award will help promote natural resources protection through the development of specialized loans to farmers, and pilot the use of a new web-based natural resources assessment tool.

Tyson recalls nearly 2.5 million pounds of chicken

The U.S. Department of Agriculture's Food Safety and Inspection Service announced Friday that approximately 2,485,374 pounds of the ready-to-eat breaded chicken products could contain milk. The affected products were produced and packaged between Aug. 17, 2016 and Jan. 15, 2017 with the establishment number "P-1325" inside the USDA mark of inspection.

U.S., China Finalize Details To Send U.S. Beef To China

U.S., CHINA FINALIZE DETAILS TO SEND U.S. BEEF TO CHINA Jun. 13, 2017 Source: USDA news release As part of the U.S.-China 100-Day Action plan announced on May 11, 2017 by U.S. Secretary of Commerce Wilbur Ross and Secretary of the Treasury Steven T. Mnuchin, the Trump Administration today has taken important steps toward commercial shipment of U.S. beef and beef products to China for the first time since 2003. These shipments are results of the U.S.-China Comprehensive Economic Dialogue co-chaired by Secretary Ross and Secretary Mnuchin for the United States and Vice Premier Wang Yang for China.

USDA: Corn projections unchanged, June 30 report to offer deeper insight

U.S. corn production remains on track to produce an abundant, but not record-setting, crop according to U.S. Department of Agriculture reports released today. With projections to production, supply and demand unchanged from the May report, farmers now wait to see how the picture might change with the release of the Acreage report, which provides a survey-based estimate of the area planted and a forecast of harvest acres, on June 30. "The farm economy continues to struggle, and that's why it's so important that we encourage and grow corn markets wherever possible," said Wesley Spurlock, president of the National Corn Growers Association and a farmer from Stratford, Texas.

Mr. Nunes Went To Washington

Rep. Devin Nunes, R-Calif., the now-controversial chair of the House Intelligence Committee, is a bit different from what Washington expects in its politicians. He grew up in the agricultural cornucopia of the Central Valley of California -- fruits, vegetables, beef, dairy products and fibers -- the concrete expression of a myriad of hard-working ethnic groups.

Hemp conference starts Friday: Plant has long been considered a possible new crop for Hawaii

On the heels of the state Legislature approving funding for continued development of an industrial hemp program, Hawaii Island hosts the first Hawaii Hemp Conference this weekend. The event begins Friday with a welcome dinner and concert, with a mini-expo and marketplace taking place Saturday from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Farm visits are scheduled for Sunday.