USDA

Farmer riding a tractor

Top Priority for the 2018 Farm Bill: Protect Federal Crop Insurance

For Export, Public Policy, USDA / Kenneth D. Ackerman

Of all the issues surrounding a new Farm Bill in 2018, perhaps none unifies American agricultural producers more than Federal Crop Insurance, provided by USDA’s Federal Crop Insurance Corporation (FCIC). Be it North or South, big or small, row crops or specialty, organic or conventional, the FCIC crop insurance program is today viewed almost universally […]

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Bottle of milk

“Milk” Comes from Breasts/Udders

FDA, For Export, Public Policy, USDA / Michael J. O'Flaherty Jolyda O. Swaim

According to the Wall Street Journal: “Organic milk sales have cooled as the very shoppers who drove demand for the specialty product not long ago move on to newer alternatives, leaving dairy sellers and producers grappling with oversupply….Now, organic-milk supplies have ballooned just as demand has stalled. Many shoppers have moved on to substitutes such

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Hands of elderly man begging

The Vast Army Fighting Hunger Around the Globe

For Export, Public Policy, USDA / Marshall L. Matz

By Marshall L. Matz, as published in Agri-Pulse When it comes to agriculture research, no organization is as important to our farmers as is USDA and the Agriculture Research Service (ARS). ARS works with our land grant universities to support US farmers and ranchers. Our unique system of research and extension is a major reason for our

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John Block: Trump’s Year

Public Policy, USDA / Joi Jackson

By former USDA Secretary John R. Block I want to look back at 2017. In some respects, President Trump had a pretty rough year with his critics, including much of the mainstream media attacking him without relief. However, I think the case can be made that he and the Republican Congress had an impressive year. Tax

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John Block: Tax Reform Passes, a Present for the Holiday Season

Public Policy, USDA / Joi Jackson

By former USDA Secretary John R. Block The Holiday season is here. Amazing – Tax reform legislation has passed, and President Trump has said he will sign it. That is a big Christmas present. President Trump and Republicans in Congress got it done without any Democratic help. Before President Trump was elected, Democrats — including President

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John Block: Egg Regulations

USDA / Joi Jackson

By former USDA Secretary John R. Block Maybe the “chickens are coming home to roost” in California. The state of California can’t think of enough new regulations. In 2015, California passed legislation demanding that those who sell eggs in the state must adhere to their cage-size law. Midwest states such as Missouri, Iowa and Nebraska are crying

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John Block: What’s going on in Washington

Public Policy, USDA / Joi Jackson

By former USDA Secretary John R. Block For most farmers across the U.S. there is a big sigh of relief. The harvest is over. Time to sit back and relax. Well, there is no time for relaxation here in the Nation’s Capital. This has been a very busy week. On Friday, December 1, I hosted the

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John Block: The U.S. Department of Ag Team

Public Policy, USDA / Joi Jackson

By former USDA Secretary John R. Block The U.S. Department of Agriculture is taking a very long time to fill some of our most important management positions. The Administration has 4 under secretary posts unfilled and 3 Assistant Secretary jobs unannounced. Sec. Perdue’s choice for the newly created farm services and conservation post, Bill Northey, should

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John Block: Thanksgiving

Public Policy, USDA / Joi Jackson

By former USDA Secretary John R. Block We just celebrated another Thanksgiving. And we do have a lot to be thankful for. Our economy is roaring with GDP in the 3% range and near full employment. The best advantage that we have is that we don’t live in the Middle East where years of war have

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John Block: Secretary Sonny Perdue

Public Policy, USDA / Joi Jackson

By former USDA Secretary John R. Block Last week, I attended the Farm Broadcasters Annual Convention in Kansas City. Over the last 35 years, I have attended almost all of the NAFB events. This year’s convention attracted a near-record crowd. It was very exciting. Secretary of Agriculture Sonny Perdue spoke and took questions from the audience

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John Block: Tax Reform

Public Policy, USDA / Joi Jackson

By former USDA Secretary John R. Block Tax reform is a hot topic here in the nation’s capital. That doesn’t mean that Congress will be able to pass the legislation. On paper, the planned tax overhaul will increase the national debt by $1.5 trillion (over the next ten years). Larry Summers, who served as economic advisor

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John Block: NAFTA

Public Policy, USDA / Joi Jackson

By former USDA Secretary John R. Block Today, let’s talk about trade and tax reform. President Trump wants to improve the North American Free Trade Agreement (NAFTA), and the Congress is presenting a tax reform package. NAFTA is in the spotlight right now. The whole farm and food industry is worried that President Trump could formally

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SNAP Retailers Beware: FNS Wants to Take Away Your SNAP Authorization

Public Policy, USDA / Joi Jackson

Virtually all grocery stores, convenience stores, and supermarkets sell hot foods. Nearly all sell cold prepared foods as well. Most of the more than 260,000 retail food stores authorized by USDA’s Food and Nutrition Service (“FNS”) to accept Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (“SNAP”) benefits sell some hot foods and cold prepared foods. But the SNAP

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Jack Block: Dusky Gopher Frog

Public Policy, USDA / Joi Jackson

By former USDA Secretary John R. Block By now, I should not be surprised when the federal government uses its power and strength to hammer a defenseless individual citizen. Let me tell you about Edward Poitevent and the dusky gopher frog. In 2011, the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service published a new habitat rule. On May

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John Block: Trade Worries

Public Policy, USDA / Joi Jackson

By former USDA Secretary John R. Block Worries about our ag trade are escalating. Farmers are desperate. We export more than a quarter of what we produce. Farm prices are in the tank. Any wrong move that would cause us to lose markets would be a devastating blow. President Trump has threatened to withdraw from the

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John Block: Priorities

Public Policy, USDA / Joi Jackson

By former USDA Secretary John R. Block The TV has been dominated by hurricanes. The Texas coast was devastated and next, Hurricane Irma hit Florida. Powerful winds destroyed half of the crops. Orange juice is going to cost $2 per gallon more. We should not underestimate the destruction and cost to families, government, or the time

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John Block: Duarte vs. Big Government

EPA, Public Policy, Uncategorized, USDA / Joi Jackson

By former USDA Secretary John R. Block You may have heard about the John Duarte wetlands case. John Duarte, a California farmer, bought 450 acres in 2012. He plowed and planted it to wheat. The Army Corps of Engineers, the California Water Quality Control Board, and the EPA came after him. He was looking at a

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Texas and Florida Farmers: Time to Face Crop Loss

USDA / Joi Jackson

It will take months to calculate the damage Hurricanes Harvey and Irma unleashed this summer on the states of Texas, Louisiana, and Florida: dozens of lost lives, hundreds of thousands of destroyed homes, tens of billions in property damage and untold suffering and disruption. Some losses will take years to mend, some can never be

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Will the Trump Administration Align Compliance Dates for Nutrition Facts Update, GMO Labeling?

FDA, Public Policy, USDA / Joi Jackson

Several food industry groups hope so. The responsibility for implementing two major changes to food labeling requirements has fallen on the Trump Administration: Nutrition Facts Panel – On May 27, 2016, FDA published a final rule that will overhaul the Nutrition Facts panel that we have become accustomed to on foods. In addition to some

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John Block: GE Salmon

FDA, Public Policy, USDA / Joi Jackson

By former USDA Secretary John R. Block Today, I have a fishy story to talk about, but before I get started on that, what do you think of the nation’s economy? I know the farm economy is not booming, but consumer confidence is off the charts – a 20% jump from last year. Unemployment is down

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John Block: Gene Editing

Public Policy, USDA / Joi Jackson

By former USDA Secretary John R. Block To kick this off with some serious facts, let me ask – did you know that 7% of all American adults believe that chocolate milk comes from brown cows? One in five adults doesn’t know that hamburgers are made from beef. Three in ten don’t know that cheese is

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John Block: Forest Fires

Public Policy, USDA / Joi Jackson

By former USDA Secretary John R. Block There aren’t any forest fires here in the east near Washington, D.C. No raging fires near our farm in Illinois. But the front pages of the Washington Post and the Washington Times both tell us the west is burning. Thousands are fleeing wild fires – forests and range land

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John Block: Ag Issues 2017

Public Policy, USDA / Joi Jackson

By former USDA Secretary John R. Block This week, the U.S. Department of Agriculture posted the announcement of this year’s World Food Prize Foundation laureate. At one time, he was the Nigerian Minister of Agriculture, and he now runs the African Development Bank – Dr. Akinwumi Adesina. He has been a leader in transforming African agriculture.

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John Block: This and That 2017

Public Policy, USDA / Joi Jackson

By former USDA Secretary John R. Block Tip of the day— “Seven percent of all American adults believe that chocolate milk comes from brown cows.” “One in five adults don’t know that hamburgers are beef.” We have a major education challenge. Now to look at some priority issues of the day. Trade has to be near

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John Block: Government Overreach

EPA, USDA / Joi Jackson

By former USDA Secretary John R. Block I talked this week with John Duarte, a California farmer. He is in trouble. He bought 450 acres in 2012. He plowed it and planted it for wheat. He now faces $2.8 million in civil penalties because he did not get a permit to plow and plant. He wasn’t

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Think This is Biotech Regulatory Relief? Not Yet.

FDA, Public Policy, USDA / Joi Jackson

By Dr. Nina Fedoroff, as published in Agri-Pulse USDA and FDA proposals to regulate genetically engineered (GE) plants and animals following the recent update of the regulatory framework are on their websites awaiting public comment by June 19, 2017. The documents on which comments are requested are long, dense and, at times, internally inconsistent. Here’s a detailed

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John Block: Branstad and Horses

Public Policy, USDA / Joi Jackson

By former USDA Secretary John R. Block I have two subjects to cover today. One that is very hopeful – Governor Terry Branstad, now Ambassador Terry Branstad, is headed to China. The other issue, which is not very hopeful, has to do with horses. Ambassador Branstad – as Governor of Iowa, he was very close

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John Block: Budget

Public Policy, USDA / Joi Jackson

By former USDA Secretary John R. Block Back in March, President Trump gave us a look at his budget plan. Although without much detail, it made clear to us that one of his highest priorities was to downsize the federal government. And, he would do that by cutting spending. He had already said that he

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Judge hitting gavel in court

Should Your Establishment Appeal a FSIS Decision?

For Export, USDA / Brett Schwemer

By Brett Schwemer, as published in The National Provisioner To appeal or not to appeal; that is the question Establishments regulated by the Food Safety and Inspection Service (FSIS) frequently face the dilemma on whether to appeal agency decisions that could have a negative impact on their businesses. Even when there are valid grounds for an

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John Block: Two Issues

Public Policy, USDA / Joi Jackson

By former USDA Secretary John R. Block “Trump’s Tax Plan Would Spur Growth” – that is the headline in a recent Wall Street Journal paper. First, let me say that President Trump’s tax reform plan is not very specific. I think that is good. The Congress will write the legislation anyway. We all know if

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John Block: Perdue’s Agenda

Public Policy, USDA / Joi Jackson

By former USDA Secretary John R. Block It’s only been a week since confirmation, but Agriculture Secretary Sonny Perdue has hit the ground running. He has ordered that schools be given more flexibility in their school lunch programs, more local control. They won’t be forced to reduce the sodium (salt) in the food served. He

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John Block: Sound Science

Public Policy, USDA / Joi Jackson

By former USDA Secretary John R. Block Last week on Saturday, it was Earth Day. I always thought of Earth Day as a celebration of the earth with its natural beauty and, of course, the food and crops it provides to feed everything living – especially mankind. But this year, it became a “March for

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John Block: How Do We Raise Prices?

Public Policy, USDA / Joi Jackson

By former USDA Secretary John R. Block I can report that I was on my Illinois farm last week. Weather was beautiful and we planted 360 acres of corn. Then it rained. At least we got started. It is always exciting when you first hit the field with hope and optimism of a good crop.

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John Block: Confirmation Process

Public Policy, USDA / Joi Jackson

This week, I stopped by the U.S. Department of Agriculture and met with Governor Perdue’s Chief of Staff and Policy Advisor, Brian Klippenstein. It was a short visit but we all agreed that we desperately need to get Sonny Perdue confirmed. All of the ag departments, from trade, forest service, nutrition programs, farm programs, and

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John Block: Slow Process

Public Policy, USDA / Joi Jackson

By former USDA Secretary John R. Block President Trump took his oath of office with a priority list of actions he wanted to take in his first 100 days. It has not been easy. In the first place, I don’t think his team had prepared enough to move quickly on getting his nominees through the

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