(LOCKHART) – The Independent Cattlemen’s Association of Texas (ICA) will host its Annual Convention & Tradeshow this July 1-3, 2024, at the Embassy Suites by Hilton San Marcos Hotel Conference Center. Established in 1974, ICA serves as the voice for independent Texas cattle producers in Austin and Washington, D.C.  The group will celebrate its 50th ..read more

WASHINGTON, April 23, 2024 — Today, the International Dairy Foods Association (IDFA) submitted written comments to the Office of the United States Trade Representative (USTR) on the administration’s objective to develop strategies that support and advance U.S. supply chain resilience as a priority area in trade negotiations, enforcement, and other initiatives. Those comments are available here. IDFA ..read more

WASHINGTON, D.C. — Today, 16 farm organizations announced the launch of the national Enough Is Enough Tour in protest of government policies that drive consolidation of the food system into the hands of the largest multinational corporations to the detriment of farmers and ranchers. With Congress preparing to debate the farm bill during prime planting ..read more

(FARGO, ND)– The latest USDA Crop Progress Report reflected a deteriorating winter wheat crop in parts of the country but also showed good planting conditions for row crops and spring wheat. Winter wheat condition fell five percentage points to now stand at 50% good to excellent as of Sunday, April 21st with 16% of the ..read more

Attorneys from 25 states sued the Environmental Protection Agency last week to block rules intended to reduce emissions from cars and light trucks and encourage electric vehicle manufacturing. The group of attorneys general says the agency exceeded its authority. The lawsuit is challenging the regulations for passenger vehicles, finalized on March 20 by the Biden ..read more

President Biden has proposed tripling steel and aluminum tariffs on China. But his Ag Secretary argues provoking China may be at the root of a rising farm trade deficit. Top Senate Finance Republican Mike Crapo (R-ID) brought up the steel tariff issue with U.S. Trade Representative Katherine Tai, urging she quickly finish a required tariff ..read more

The Federal Reserve Board released its April Beige Book last week. It summarizes current economic conditions and includes observations on the agricultural economy. In Atlanta’s Sixth District, agricultural conditions showed improvement in recent weeks, with continued resilience in the cattle market and strong dairy demand. In the Seventh District of Chicago, fieldwork in preparation for ..read more

Alexis Taylor, USDA Undersecretary for Trade and Foreign Agricultural Affairs, arrived in New Delhi, India this week to launch a USDA-sponsored agribusiness trade mission. Taylor leads a delegation of officials from 47 agribusinesses and farm organizations and 11 state departments of agriculture. All are seeking to develop and expand business opportunities with importers in India ..read more

ARLINGTON, VA – The National Dairy Farmers Assuring Responsible Management (FARM) Program released findings from its Conservation Practice Questionnaire highlighting the leading stewardship of dairy farmers as FARM and the National Milk Producers Federation (NMPF) observe Earth Day. The questionnaire, a voluntary addition to the FARM Environmental Stewardship (ES) Program, highlights some of U.S. dairy farmers’ conservation ..read more

This op-ed was penned by Tom Buis, CEO of American Carbon Alliance The farm economy is currently in a downward spiral with prices for agricultural commodities hovering at or below the cost of production in many areas. This decline is exacerbated by reduced exports, declining domestic market demand, and burgeoning excess supplies. The repercussions extend ..read more