The U.S. dairy industry is concerned about plant based milks in grocery stores carrying the label “milk.” The Food and Drug Administration announced it is reopening the public comment period on draft guidance for labeling plant-based products. “ The FDA is reopening the comment period in response to requests from industry stakeholders for more time…… MORE
Category Archives: Agriculture News
Central Valley Desalination Project
Efforts to remove salt from valley water get a big boost. The Westlands Water District says it’s one step closer to improving the water supply for local communities and farmers. According to a district announcement, the California Department of Water Resources awarded a grant to build a desalination and on farm recycling project. That project…… MORE
WOTUS Veto Override Fails in Congress
The House of Representatives was unsuccessful in getting enough votes to override President Biden’s veto of legislation undoing a rule defining the Clean Water Act’s jurisdiction. The vote failed 227-196 and didn’t meet the two-thirds requirement for overriding a presidential veto. Successful Farming says Republicans persuaded ten Democrats to vote against the Biden EPA’s rule,…… MORE
Ag Retailers Association List Top Five Farm Bill Priorities
The Ag Retailers Association says it’s cautiously optimistic the Farm Bill gets written on time. However, the association is worried that debt limit discussions may interfere. “It’s going to be tough this year with the farm bill coming up right as the debt ceiling discussion hits the deadline,” says Hunter Carpenter with the Ag Retailers…… MORE
Help For Farmers Impacted by Natural Disaster
USDA and California Department of Food Agriculture are holding a virtual question and answer session to help producers and farming communities impacted by current disasters. The virtual session will help everyone to learn more about programs and resources available. According to CDFA, farmers and others can submit questions to USDA’s Farm Production and Conservation Deputy…… MORE
USDA Urged To Deny Petitions In Milk Hearing
The American Dairy Coalition sent a letter to Ag Secretary Tom Vilsack asking him to deny two recent petitions for hearings on the Federal Milk Marketing Order. The petitions from processor groups ask USDA to increase payments from farmers to processors to offset higher input costs. The coalition says holding a federal milk pricing hearing…… MORE
WOTUS Rule Legal Update
A court ruling out of North Dakota halted implementation of the 2023 Waters of the United States Rule in 24 states, and ag groups responded positively. California is not included under this latest court decision. American Farm Bureau President Zippy Duvall says his group proudly stood with the 24 states involved and more than a…… MORE
West Coast Port Labor Disagreements Could Impact Ag Shipments
The lack of a West Coast labor contract between the International Longshore and Warehouse Union and the Pacific Maritime Association could be dangerous and permanent. That’s according to the Agriculture Transportation Coalition. Coalition Executive Director Peter Friedmann says, “Too many West Coast marine terminals are operating on reduced schedules, creating massive disruption.” Shippers are moving…… MORE
Coalition Supports Ag Export Programs
The Coalition to Promote U.S. Agricultural Exports is urging congress to continue mandatory funding for Market Access and Foreign Market Development programs. The Coalition is also asking the Senate agriculture committee to include a provision that would double the dollars for those programs in the next Farm Bill. In letters sent to the chairs and…… MORE
California Ag Disaster Aid Webinar
The California Department of Food and Agriculture along with the USDA are hosting a webinar to help California farmers and agricultural communities impacted by current disasters to better understand programs and resources that may be available to them. This CDFA and USDA webinar that will be hosted on Microsoft Teams on Tuesday April 11th at…… MORE
