By Todd Kemp, Senior Vice President, Treasurer Each year at the NGFA’s annual convention in March, members who have sponsored a new-member company during the previous year are recognized for their efforts. On March 10 in Austin, Texas, major winners included: Joe Kapraun, GROWMARK Inc., Bloomington, Ill.: Joe was first prize winner in the individual competition by virtue of co-sponsoring the new membership of New Vision Cooperative and also sponsoring Agriland FS. For his efforts, Joe will receive quarterly shipments from Omaha Steaks for the coming year! Dennis Inman, ... Read More
Newsletter
NGFA publishes new arbitration decisions
The following decisions were published March 24: Case No. 2809 (Appeal): Interstate Commodities, Inc. v. Trillium Farm Holdings, LLC Case No. 2818: BTR Farmers Cooperative v. Agrex, Inc. Case No. 2829: Parrish & Heimbecker Limited v. TSM Winny Ag Ltd. Case No. 2830 (Appeal): Parrish & Heimbecker Limited v. TSM Winny Ag Ltd. Case No. 2858 (Default Judgment): CHS, Inc. v. Griemsmas L/S, LLC For a full listing of arbitration decisions, visit NGFA’s Arbitration page. ... Read More
Register for NGFA’s COVID-19 webinar
NGFA will present a “Grain, Feed, Processing and Export Industry Update on COVID-19” webinar on Thursday, April 2 at 3 p.m. EST. NGFA staff will provide a detailed look at what the designation of food and agriculture as critical infrastructure means, as well as highlight agency-specific operations including Federal Grain Inspection Service (FGIS) continuity plans, U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) inspections during the pandemic, updated truck weight and hours-of-service regulations, and the current and future financial relief enacted or planned by Congress. NGFA also will discuss the ... Read More
USDA accepts more than 3.4 million acres for general signup Conservation Reserve Program
The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) announced March 26 the acceptance of more than 3.4 million acres in the recently completed general Conservation Reserve Program (CRP) signup, the first general signup enrollments since 2016. The 2018 farm law established a nationwide acreage limit for CRP, with the total number of acres that may be enrolled capped at 24.5 million acres in 2020 and growing to 27 million by 2023. USDA currently has 22 million acres enrolled within the 24.5 million acreage cap, with contracts totaling 4.5 million acres set to expire on Oct. 1, 2020. While the ... Read More
In Focus: China’s agricultural biotechnology approval process
By Max Fisher, Vice President of Economics and Government Relations [A broad overview from a grain, feed and export perspective of the U.S.-China Phase One trade deal was included in the Jan. 17, 2020, edition of the NGFA Newsletter. Each week, the NGFA Newsletter is spotlighting individual components of the trade deal. This week’s focus is on China’s agricultural biotechnology approval process. View other “In Focus” articles on NGFA’s trade issues page.] As part of the U.S.-China Phase One trade agreement, the parties agreed to carry out exchanges and take steps to enhance engagement ... Read More
Administration outlines progress of U.S.-China Phase One Agreement
The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) and the Office of the U.S. Trade Representative (USTR) on March 24 announced the latest updates on implementation of the agriculture-related provisions of the U.S.-China Phase One Economic and Trade Agreement. Both countries signed a regionalization agreement that, in the event of a detection of highly pathogenic avian influenza or virulent Newcastle disease in a particular region of the United States, will allow U.S. poultry exports to China from unaffected regions of the country to continue (APHIS Regionalization Protocol Announcement). ... Read More
FDA helps facilitate vet telemedicine during COVID-19 pandemic
By David Fairfield, Senior Vice President, Feed The U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) announced March 24 that it intends to temporarily not enforce certain requirements to allow veterinarians to better utilize telemedicine to address animal health needs during the COVID-19 pandemic. “The FDA recognizes the vital role veterinarians play in protecting public health. This pandemic has had impacts on many of our everyday lives and professions, and during this time, we need to provide veterinarians with the latitude to expand the use of telemedicine in the care of animals, ... Read More
Stimulus bill contains truck weight provision
The Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security (CARES) Act – passed by the Senate on March 25 – includes language requested by the U.S. Department of Transportation (DOT) to clarify state authority to issue special permits for increased truck weight. Under either a “major disaster” or “emergency,” such as the COVID-19 emergency, states can issue special permits for heavier trucks to deliver relief supplies. States already have this authority on state roads, but the new language provides them the authority to increase truck weights on interstate highways. (NGFA’s understanding is ... Read More
Congress, Trump administration poised to deliver $2 trillion phase three COVID-19 response package
By Bobby Frederick, Director of Legislative Affairs and Public Policy Congress and President Trump are on the verge of delivering a historic $2 trillion measure designed to help stabilize the economy in response to the adverse economic impact of the COVID-19 outbreak. The measure would provide direct payments to many Americans, hundreds of billions of dollars in loans for companies and small businesses, and $100 billion for hospitals. H.R. 748, the Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security (CARES) Act, unanimously passed the Senate late Wednesday evening (March 25) by a vote of ... Read More
NGFA works to ensure consistency among COVID-19 regulatory relief efforts across supply chain
By Sarah Gonzalez, Director of Communications and Digital Media The NGFA is working to encourage consistency among state, federal and local rules regarding business operations and COVID-19 emergency response efforts. The U.S. Department of Homeland Security’s Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Security Agency (CISA) issued a guidance on March 19, and subsequently updated it on March 23, confirming food and agriculture as Tier 1 critical infrastructure industry, and identifying food and agriculture workers and transporters as critical employees who should continue to have access to ... Read More
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