Farmers Under Stress and WAEF Elects New Board Chair

The Agribusiness Update
An upcoming Penn State Extension webinar titled “Communicating with Farmers Under Stress” to learn the signs of stress and how to help, and the Washington Apple Education Foundation elects Tyler Price, CEO of Price Cold Storage & Packing, as its new board chairman.

California's Overtime Law Not Working and USDA Warns of Job Cuts

The Agribusiness Update
UC-Berkeley, assistant professor Alexandra Hill's research shows California’s 2016 agricultural overtime law has not achieved its goal of increasing earnings for farmworkers, and USDA warns that major staff cuts are coming, offices closed, and people will be forced to relocate.

Alabama Farmers Federation Nominations and USDA Warns of Job Cuts

The Agribusiness Update
Alabama farmers are encouraged to nominate research and

Extension personnel for two awards from the Alabama Farmers Federation by the deadline of June 6, and USDA warns that major staff cuts are coming, offices closed, and people will be forced to relocate.

Water Board update

Idaho Ag Today
The Idaho Water Resource Board (IWRB) received a staff update on managed recharge operations to benefit Eastern Snake Plain Aquifer (ESPA).

Cheatgrass grants

Idaho Ag Today
NRCS Announces Cheatgrass Challenge Project Proposal Application Period

Virtual Fencing 2

Idaho Ag Today
New technology for livestock management, called “Virtual Fencing,” is catching on in Idaho and the West.

Wine Institute on Tariffs and Ag Secretary Rollins Addresses USDA

The Agribusiness Update
Wine Institute is pushing back against the thought of placing tariffs on imports from Canada, and retaliatory tariffs against U.S. wine, and Ag Secretary Brooke Rollins addressed more than 400 USDA staffers, stakeholders and friends.

UGA Contributes $8.4 billion to Georgia and Ag Secretary Rollins Addresses USDA

The Agribusiness Update
The University of Georgia contributed a record $8.4 billion to the state’s economy in fiscal year 2024, and Ag Secretary Brooke Rollins addressed more than 400 USDA staffers, stakeholders and friends.

January Cattle Inventory Lower and NCBA Approves Policy Priorities

The Agribusiness Update
USDA's January Cattle Inventory report shed light on the state of the U.S. cattle industry, and the National Cattlemen's Beef Association's Executive Committee approved its policy priorities.

New wheat commision building

Idaho Ag Today
The plan to construct a new Idaho Wheat Commission building, discussed and planned for years, is no longer in a holding pattern.

Rollins on Back to Office

Washington State Farm Bureau Report
USDA Secretary nominee Brooke Rollins said at her confirmation hearing last week that she’s committed to curtailing work-from-home policies to get staffers back in the office.

Ag Secretary-Starling Pt 2

Washington State Farm Bureau Report
Ray Starling, who served as chief of staff to Ag Secretary Sonny Perdue in the previous Trump administration, and as Trump's principal ag advisor, has nothing but high praise for new Ag Secretary Brooke Rollins.

Ag Secretary-Starling Pt 1

Washington State Farm Bureau Report
Ray Starling, who served as chief of staff to Ag Secretary Sonny Perdue in the previous Trump administration, and as Trump's principal ag advisor, has nothing but high praise for new Ag Secretary Brooke Rollins.

Tewalt story

Idaho Ag Today
I sat down with Chanel Tewalt, director of the Idaho Department of Agriculture and recipient of the 2024 Defender of AG Award.

Idaho culinary harvest tour

Idaho Ag Today
Idaho department of agriculture spokesperson Erica White talks about an Idaho culinary harvest tour.

Congress Resumes Farm Bill Efforts and House Passes Farmland Ownership Act

The Agribusiness Update
Congressional leaders from both parties say they’ll resume talks to get a Farm Bill passed before the end of the year, and the House of Representatives passed the “Protecting U.S. Farmland from Foreign Adversaries Act.”

Cal Farm Bureau in D.C. and Railroad Staffing Shortages

The Agribusiness Update
The California Farm Bureau board and members were in Washington, D.C., meeting with lawmakers to advocate on issues including passing the 2024 Farm Bill, and Senator Tammy Baldwin, of Wisconsin, called on the six Class One railroads to address severe staffing shortages.

Comeback for Georgia Peaches and Railroad Staffing Shortages

The Agribusiness Update
Georgia Peaches are poised to kick off an unprecedented run through produce departments and farmer’s markets, and Senator Tammy Baldwin, of Wisconsin, called on the six Class One railroads to address severe staffing shortages.

GA Farm Bureau to D.C. and US Ag Under 10% Greenhouse Gas Emissions

The Agribusiness Update
A group of 37 Georgia Farm Bureau members and staff visited Washington, D.C., earlier this month to meet with members of the Georgia congressional delegation, and U.S. agriculture represents just under 10% of total U.S. greenhouse gas emissions.

California's Heat Safety Law and McConnell on Farm Bill Deadline

The Agribusiness Update
California tightens Heat Illness Prevention Standard, one of the most stringent in the nation, and Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell says Congress is running out of legislative working days before Farm Bill expires.