Agriculture NewsDuring a hearing before the House Ag Committee, USDA Secretary Sonny Perdue Wednesday said the U.S. farming community is in “dire straits,” but could be helped by stronger trade. Perdue also said there are “some challenges ahead” due to budget cuts proposed by President Donald Trump. “Our budget situation is challenging,” Perdue said. “We’ve got… read more
Tag Archives: USDA
#Illinois #Plant17 Progress – May 14
Corn planting reached 75% for the week ending May 14, while the amount of days suitable for fieldwork varied widely across the state. There were an average of 1.9 days suitable for fieldwork statewide. Corn emerged reached 7%, compared to 61% last year and the 5-year average of 50%. Corn condition was rated at 3% very poor,… read more
#Illinois #Plant17 Progress – May 8
Corn planted was at 65%, compared to the 5-year average of 63% for the week ending May 7. Corn emerged was at 29%, compared to 43% last year and the 5-year average of 32%. Soybeans planted was at 14%. Soybeans emerged was at 1%. Producers reported some ponding and flooding in fields. There were 0.6… read more
#FARMERS CHEER PERDUE CONFIRMATION
The U.S. Senate Monday confirmed former Georgia Gov. Sonny Perdue as the next secretary of agriculture, with a vote of 87-11. Both Sen. Durbin and Sen. Duckworth voted to confirm Perdue. Meanwhile, Illinois farmers are pleased to see the USDA head confirmed. “I think he brings a lot to the table for producers in the… read more
FARMERS EYEING TRUMP’S AG, TRADE POLICIES
Illinois farmers are watching President Donald Trump to see how his decisions will affect ag in the state. While ag groups were happy to see Trump nominate Sonny Perdue as Secretary of the USDA, there is still concern about his policies on trade and the 2018 Farm Bill. “We are still waiting on what his… read more
USDA SETS TOUGHER ORGANIC STANDARDS
The USDA Thursday released more stringent animal-welfare standards for farmers who market meat and eggs as organic. The new rules, which take effect in March 2018, require a minimum amount of space for chickens, and require cattle, pigs and poultry to be allowed outdoors each day to feed. The USDA estimated it will cost organic… read more
PERDUE KNOWN FOR PROMOTING TRADE
Despite his boss’s anti-trade rhetoric, USDA Secretary nominee Sonny Perdue is a supporter of trade, with a record of promoting U.S. meat and crops overseas. As farmers grapple with the third-straight year of dipping commodity prices, they’ll be looking to Perdue to keep U.S. grain, produce, meat and cotton flowing into foreign markets, and shield… read more
AG SECRETARY STILL UNKNOWN
President-elect Donald Trump has spent the last several weeks announcing his picks for cabinet seats and agency heads, but still has not hinted at who will be his pick for USDA Secretary. Stu Ellis sorts through the names that have risen to the top in the last few weeks, and outlines the tough job ahead… read more
CHICKEN CONSUMPTION UP
USDA’s Economic Research Service says 57.7 pounds of chicken per person on a boneless, edible basis were available for Americans to eat in 2013, compared to 53.6 pounds of beef and 43.4 pounds of pork.
CHANGES AT USDA
Deputy Agriculture Secretary Krysta Harden, who led the implementation of the 2014 farm bill, says she’s leaving USDA at the end of February. Michael Scuse, the current undersecretary for Farm and Foreign Agricultural Services, has been tapped as acting deputy.
