Submit Comments to Stop the Trade War

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fb372-port-of-richmond2American farmers are already facing low commodity prices and the uncertainty of a ‘trade war’ drives prices even lower hurting farmers and ranchers and rural communities.  Commodity prices will fall as both sides ratchet the trade dispute upward.

China continues to add more agricultural products to its target list which includes beef, cotton, pork, nuts and soybeans to receive tariffs up to 25 percent.  Soybeans and cotton are our top two ag exports to China.

Tell our Trade Representative to negotiate on behalf of America’s farmers and ranchers to reduce tariffs and to open markets for our products!

Comments are being accepted through May 11 and we need your voice to make sure Farm Bureau members are heard loud and clear in the process.

Go to FBadvocacy.org to submit comments.

VALOR Applications for Cohort IV Due April 30

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VALOR apps 2018  

Offering premier leadership development for Virginia’s largest industry, VALOR (Virginia Agriculture Leaders Obtaining Results) is a two-year program for adults in agriculture who want to develop their communication, problem-solving, and critical- thinking skills, as well as broaden their knowledge of global and local agriculture, in order to become an advocate for agriculture and an industry leader.  Applications are due April 30.

U.S. Soybeans, Cotton, Beef on China’s Most Recent Tariff Target List

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Soybean_fields_at_Applethorpe_FarmFarmers are well-aware markets ebb and flow, but the tariff tit-for-tat between the U.S. and China is testing both the patience and optimism of families who are facing the worst agricultural economy in 16 years, cautioned American Farm Bureau Federation President Zippy Duvall.

“Growing trade disputes have placed farmers and ranchers in a precarious position. We have bills to pay and debts we must settle, and cannot afford to lose any market, much less one as important as China’s. We urge the United States and China to return to negotiations and produce an agreement that serves the interests of the world’s two largest economies,” Duvall said in a statement.

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Gov. Northam Names Dr. Jewel Bronaugh VDACS Commissioner

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8889a-dr-hairsonGovernor Northam has appointed Dr. Jewel H. Bronaugh Commissioner of the Virginia Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services.

Dr. Bronaugh is an accomplished leader in the agriculture community, in government, and in higher education.  She brings many years of experience in administrative governance and collaboration from her public service in state and federal government.

After several years teaching, Dr. Bronaugh joined Virginia Cooperative Extension where she served in a variety of leadership roles, including Associate Administrator. During her tenure, she developed lasting partnerships with the Virginia Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services, Virginia Tech, the Virginia Department of Forestry, USDA Rural Development and the Natural Resources Conservation Service.

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ELD Waiver Provision for Livestock and Insect Haulers Remains In Effect

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Livestock haule 3Effective immediately through June 18, 2018, the existing waiver from the ELD requirements for all transporters of agricultural commodities, including livestock, will remain in effect.

Livestock (as defined in 49 CFR 395.2) and insect haulers are not required to comply with the ELD rule for the duration of the FY 2018 appropriations bill (September 30, 2018), and any subsequent continuing resolutions.

Further guidance will be provided as we near the June 18, 2018 expiration for the existing waiver, and upon the publication of any new continuing resolutions or appropriations.

Current guidance for enforcing the ELD rule should continue to be followed.  If you have any questions, please contact agricultural@dot.gov.

USDA Reopens Enrollment for Improved Dairy Safety Net Tool

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dairy cow 1U.S. Secretary of Agriculture Sonny Perdue is encouraging dairy producers to consider enrolling in the new and improved Margin Protection Program for Dairy (MPP-Dairy), which will provide better protections for dairy producers from shifting milk and feed prices. With changes authorized under the Bipartisan Budget Act of 2018, the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s (USDA) Farm Service Agency (FSA) has set the enrollment period to run from April 9, 2018 to June 1, 2018.

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Omnibus Bill Passes

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Capitol buildingThe House passed H.R. 1625, the fiscal year 2018 omnibus spending bill by a vote of 256-167. The Senate passed the bill by a vote of 65-32. The president signed the bill into law after threatening to veto the bill earlier in the day.

The bill includes all 12 appropriations bills and increases domestic program funding by $63 billion over previous budget limits. The full text can be viewed here. The House Appropriations Committee bill-by-bill summaries can be found here. The Senate Appropriations Committee bill-by-bill summaries can be found here.

Key provisions included in the omnibus follow: Continue reading →

Virginia Farmer Remains ‘Corn Wars’ Record Holder

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DAvid HulaSince 2015, David Hula of Charles City County has held the world record for the highest corn yield in the National Corn Growers Association National Corn Yield Contest. He’s also the contestant every farmer wants to beat in season two of RFD-TV’s Corn Wars.

Farmers across the country have competed in the NCGA contest for more than 50 years, while the TV series that follows a selection of those contestants is just getting started. Season one of Corn Wars currently airs on Thursdays at 5 p.m. The new reality TV series gives viewers a look inside an evolving industry. Contestants compete to produce the highest corn yield per acre and address the challenges of 21st century farming.

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Farm Bureau Women Receive Accolades at Conference

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Amy johnson awardThree women were recognized March 17 for their contributions to agriculture and their communities during the 2018 Virginia Farm Bureau Federation Women’s Spring Conference.

Dr. Amy E. Johnson of Bedford County was named the 2018 VFBF Lady Leader. The Lady Leader program provides speaking opportunities for women who are passionate about promoting agriculture.

Johnson grew up on her family’s Highland County beef cattle, sheep and turkey farm. She earned a bachelor’s degree in animal science, an associate’s degree in emergency health services, an additional bachelor’s degree in nursing and a doctorate in nursing practice. She is a family nurse practitioner with Centra Medical Group in Bedford and frequently treats farmers in the community.

She and her husband, W.P., and their two children live on his family’s farm, where they raise wheat, soybeans and hay.

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Richlands Creamery, LLC Receives AFID Grant

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Richlands signGovernor Ralph Northam today announced that Richlands Creamery, LLC will invest $1.7 million in Dinwiddie County to create a new commercial creamery and create seventeen new jobs over the next three years. The new creamery will be located at Richlands Dairy Farm, a commercial dairy and agritourism destination near the Town of Blackstone. As part of this project, Richlands Creamery, LLC is committing to purchasing 100% of its agricultural inputs from Virginia farmers, totaling nearly $1 million.

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