Ultra-Processed Food Research and EPA's Insecticide Strategy

The Agribusiness Update
With debate about ultra-processed foods frequently making headlines, UC-Davis researchers publish their work, and the EPA released its final Insecticide Strategy with practical protections for federally endangered and threatened species.

Wine Smoke Damage Legislation and Local Food for Schools Cuts

The Agribusiness Update
Legislation out of both houses of Congress has been introduced to protect winegrape growers against wildfire smoke damage, and USDA is ending two pandemic-era programs that provided more than $1 billion for schools and food banks to purchase food from local farmers and producers.

GFB in D.C. to Air Concerns and Local Food for Schools Cuts

The Agribusiness Update
Georgia Farm Bureau members visited Washington, D.C. recently, meeting with the Georgia congressional delegation and sharing concerns, and USDA is ending two pandemic-era programs that provided more than $1 billion for schools and food banks to purchase food from local farmers and producers.

GA Ag Commissioner Praises Bird Flu Plan and NASDA Wants Fix for Ag Labor

The Agribusiness Update
Georgia Ag Commissioner Tyler J Harper praised Ag Secretary Brooke Rollins’ 5-point plan to combat avian influenza, and the National Association of State Departments of Agriculture called on Congress to develop comprehensive strategies to address agricultural labor challenges and border security.

California Bill to Help Farmers Who Keep Farmland and New Approach to Bird Flu

The Agribusiness Update
A bill before the California state legislature would help pay landowners who promise to keep their land in farming, and the Trump administration prepares to move away from depopulating entire flocks infected by bird flu.

Cotton Production Down and New Approach to Bird Flu

The Agribusiness Update
Cotton producers intend to plant 9.6 million cotton acres this spring, down 14.5% from 2024, and the Trump administration prepares to move away from depopulating entire flocks infected by bird flu.

California Rethinks Autonomous Equipment Ban and New Bird Flu Strategy

The Agribusiness Update
As technology advances, the state of California is reconsidering a ban on autonomous agricultural equipment, and the Trump Administration proposes new strategy to combat bird flu.

Florida's Ag Lending Proposal and New Bird Flu Strategy

The Agribusiness Update
Florida Ag Commissioner Wilton Simpson highlights Florida Farm Bill proposal to protect Florida’s farmers and ranchers from lending discrimination from financial institutions, and the Trump Administration proposes new strategy to combat bird flu.

Rorhbach reflections

Idaho Ag Today
Raymond and Joe Rohrbach, reminiscing about the good old days of farming in Idaho.

UF Grant to Combat Avocado Disease and Small Family Farms Rule

The Agribusiness Update
University of Florida scientists secure $5 million grant from the USDA’s National Institute of Food and Agriculture to combat the lethal Laurel wilt disease, and USDA’s 2024 America’s Farms and Ranches at a Glance says 86% of U.S. farms are small family farms.

Food Fight in Dietary Guidelines and GOP Governors Urge Farm Bill Passage

The Agribusiness Update
A major battle is brewing over how much red meat Americans should consume, as the U.S. prepares to update its Dietary

Guidelines for Americans, and Republican governors wrote Congress on the urgent need to update the 2018 Farm Bill.

USDA Specialty Crop Programs and AG Trade Trip to Morocco

The Agribusiness Update
Ag Secretary Tom Vilsack announced the creation of new programs to help farmers who grow fruits, vegetables, and nuts overcome market barriers, and Reps from 50 U.S. agribusinesses and trade groups and 14 state departments of agriculture will travel to Casablanca, Morocco, December 2-5.

Rural electric cooperatives

Idaho Ag Today
It might be the first thing you think of when you hear the word cooperative, as in a cooperative business, rural electric cooperatives.

H5N1 in California and Protect the Harvest Shuts Down

The Agribusiness Update
Bracing for the impacts of H5N1 bird flu since April,

Tulare County dairy farmer Preston Fernandes says positive tests were still a surprise, and Protect the Harvest will cease operating on October 31, citing funding challenges that began during COVID.

Hurricanes Impact on Southeast and Protect the Harvest Shuts Down

The Agribusiness Update
Hurricanes Helene and Milton had devastating impacts on the southeastern United States with many communities facing unprecedented challenges, and Protect the Harvest will cease operating on October 31, citing funding challenges that began during COVID.

Cyber Attacks and FBI Pt 2

Fruit Grower Report
Good cybersecurity is a priority in agriculture because the impact of cybercrime can be devastating, and the FBI is trying to help combat the threat.

Cyber Attacks and FBI Pt 1

Fruit Grower Report
Good cybersecurity is a priority in agriculture because the impact of cybercrime can be devastating, and the FBI is trying to help combat the threat.

Budget Battle

Washington State Farm Bureau Report
With elections looming, the Congressional calendar is tight. Right now, Congress is locked in a funding battle and American Farm Bureau's Emily Buckman says the deadline is approaching fast.

Picking an (Agriculturally Minded) President

California Ag Today
Where do the presidential candidates stand on key agricultural issues? Get their feedback on fourteen key questions.

Agriculture and Your Next President

Southeast Regional Ag News
Where do the presidential candidates stand on key agricultural issues? Fourteen questions were presented to both by the American Farm Bureau Federation and, days after the first debate between former President Trump and Vice President Harris, those answers are now published.