Bananas, Beverages and Bottlenecks: Second Port Strike on Deck
Everyone loves a sequel — don’t they? Well, ready or not, we’re gearing up for a second showdown between the International Longshoreman’s Association (ILA) union and the United States Maritime Alliance (USMX). A three-day strike last fall (Oct. 1-3) delivered a tentative agreement for a 62% base wage increase for hourly dockworkers (from $39 to $63 per hour) over six years, as well as an extension of the master contract to allow more time for final negotiations. However, with that extension set to expire on Jan. 15, the union could reignite tensions by calling a new work stoppage, potentially disrupting most non-bulk shipping at U.S. East Coast and Gulf ports once again.
Read More
Truckin’ Around the UK With USA Rice
USA Rice is taking to the road in partnership with local UK brand Peacock Premium, delivering U.S. long grain rice to customers throughout the nation from a customized 10-ton truck.
Over the next three years, the truck, branded with eye-catching Peacock graphics, is scheduled to travel the length and breadth of England, Wales, and Scotland – at least 30,000 miles a year being seen by more than 12 million people.
Read More
After Bird Flu Death Of LA Man, Veterinarians & CDC Say It Is Not Time To Panic
An LSU veterinarian says that the recent death of a Louisiana man from a strain of the bird flu is no reason for panic, despite the death being the first recorded fatality of the newest uptick in bird flu infections.
Read More
American Sugar Alliance Congratulates Bicameral Agriculture Committee Leaders
As the 119th Congress begins, the American Sugar Alliance (ASA) congratulates both the new and returning leaders of the Senate and House Agriculture Committees: Senate Agriculture Committee Chairman John Boozman (R-AR) and Ranking Member Amy Klobuchar (D-MN), as well as House Agriculture Committee Chairman Glenn “GT” Thompson (R-PA-15) and Ranking Member Angie Craig (D-MN-02).
Read More
Farm Bill Conservation Funding is Vital to Farmers
Congress recently passed a bill with very strong bipartisan support that includes a three-month continuing resolution funding the government to this March, plus a one-year farm bill extension, natural disaster aid, and agricultural economic assistance. Thank you to House Speaker Mike Johnson, who represents my district here in Louisiana, for avoiding a government shutdown and looking out for the interests of farmers nationwide.
Speaker Johnson’s staffers visited my farm last year, and it meant a lot that they heard what I had to say.
Read More
Cotton Acres For 2025: It’s Complicated
I’m not sure when Cotton Grower got into the business of prognosticating anticipated cotton acreage for the coming year as part of our January issue. It was definitely before my time in the editor’s chair (thanks, everybody). But it’s an intriguing exercise that generally ends up being equal parts frustrating and surprisingly rewarding.
Maybe not as equal this year.
Read More
LDAF Encourages Preparation For Freezing Temperatures
With temperatures dipping near or below freezing in parts of the state this week, Louisiana Department of Agriculture and Forestry (LDAF) Commissioner Mike Strain, D.V.M., urges livestock and pet owners to take necessary precautions to protect their animals. This is also the time to protect plants, pipes, and, of course, people.
Read More
USDA Now Accepting Applications For The 1890 National Scholars Program
The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) is accepting applications for the USDA 1890 National Scholars Program, which aims to encourage students at 1890 land-grant universities to pursue career paths in food, agriculture, natural resource sciences, or related academic disciplines. The application deadline is March 1, 2025.
Young people around the country are invited to complete and submit their applications online through an e-application.
Read More
SWLA Resident with Nation’s First Severe Bird Flu Case Dies
The Southwest Louisiana resident who had the nation’s first severe case of bird flu has died, health officials announced Monday.
This is the first human death related to bird flu in the country.
Read More
Only The Best Is Good Enough for NRM Video Contest Winner
The 2024 National Rice Month Scholarship Video Contest Grand Prize Winner is Helen Lan, a graduating senior from Boerne, Texas. Her award-winning video, The Tale of The Rice Ghost, was made with lots of determination, rice facts, and Lego bricks.
“It brought back fun childhood memories,” says Lan, who talks about her experience creating the video on Episode 104 of The Rice Stuff podcast.
Read More
Finding Solutions for Farmers and Ranchers in 2025
This past year marked my second full year serving as executive vice president at the American Farm Bureau Federation and it has been inspiring to see our organization flourish as we serve farmers and ranchers.
Although our grassroots leaders have been key to the federation for more than 100 years, in 2024, we put a special spotlight on them as we celebrated “The Year of the County President.”
Read More
U.S. Cotton Trust Protocol Opens 2025 Enrollment, Applications Open for Climate Smart Cotton Program
U.S. cotton growers can now enroll in the U.S. Cotton Trust Protocol and apply for the Climate Smart Cotton Program for the 2025 crop year. These programs enable growers to demonstrate their commitment to sustainable cotton production, meeting the increasing demand for responsibly produced fiber.
The Trust Protocol also provides growers with data and resources to choose practices that are best for their land and business. By tracking key metrics like water use, land use, and greenhouse gas emissions, growers gain valuable insights into their farm’s environmental footprint.
Read More
USDA Increases Funding for New Specialty Crop Program; Reminds Producers of Upcoming Deadlines
The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) reminds specialty crop producers to apply for assistance for marketing and food safety certification expenses. Specifically, USDA’s Farm Service Agency (FSA) is providing an additional $650 million in funding for the new Marketing Assistance for Specialty Crops (MASC) program and extending the MASC application deadline to Friday, Jan. 10, 2025. Meanwhile, FSA also reminds specialty crop producers of the Jan. 31, 2025, deadline to apply for the Food Safety Certification for Specialty Crops (FSCSC) program for 2024 expenses.
Read More
USA Rice Scores Wins for Industry in End-of-Year Federal Package
On Saturday, December 21, 2024, President Joe Biden signed into law the American Relief Act of 2025. Congress overwhelmingly passed the bipartisan bill, a continuing resolution (CR) that will keep the Federal government operating through March 14, 2025. It also included farmer economic assistance, weather-related disaster relief for agriculture, and another 2018 Farm Bill extension.
Read More
Uncertainty Remains Certain For Farmers
One certainty for farmers in 2025 is that uncertainty will prevail. Farmers know they must befriend uncertainty because it remains their constant companion.
Farmers anticipate another year of low commodity prices and high production costs. They will watch their expenses and determine the best pricing opportunities to market their crops.
Read More
