Last month, Dan Charles reported at National Public Radio (NPR) Online that, “Parker Smith grows corn and soybeans on land near Champaign, Ill., together with his father and uncle. But Smith Farms doesn’t own most of the land it uses. ‘About 75 percent of what we farm is rented ground,’ he says. “This is common…. Continue Reading
Author Archives: Keith Good
USDA Stands Up New Team to Better Serve Beginning Farmers and Ranchers
A news release today from USDA’s Farm Service Agency (FSA) stated that, “The [USDA] is standing up a new team of [USDA] staff that will lead a department-wide effort focused on serving beginning farmers and ranchers. “‘More than a quarter of producers are beginning farmers,’ said USDA Deputy Secretary Stephen Censky. ‘We need to support… Continue Reading
Posted in Agriculture Law
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Global Investment in Ag and Food Technology Fell Almost 5% in 2019
Financial Times writer Emiko Terazono reported last month that, “Global investment in agricultural and food technology fell almost 5 per cent in 2019, as funding for food delivery services declined sharply amid a wider pullback in the venture capital industry. “Total funding dipped to $19.8bn, according to a preliminary tally by AgFunder, an online food… Continue Reading
Posted in Agriculture Law, Start-up Company Law
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Monday, March 16 Is the Last Day to Schedule an Appointment with Your FSA Office For Agriculture Risk Coverage and Price Loss Coverage Enrollment
A news release today from USDA’s Farm Service Agency (FSA) stated that, “Agricultural producers who have not yet completed their 2019 crop year elections for and enrollment in the Agriculture Risk Coverage (ARC) and Price Loss Coverage (PLC) programs must schedule an appointment to do so with their local USDA Farm Service Agency (FSA) by… Continue Reading
Posted in Agriculture Law
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Coronavirus Impacts Chinese Honey Production, the World’s Top Producer
Reuters writers Hallie Gu and Shivani Singh reported recently that, “Beekeepers in China, the world’s top honey producer, are bracing for a bleak start to the key spring pollinating season as travel curbs aimed at containing a coronavirus outbreak keep them at home while their bees go without food for weeks.” The article noted that,… Continue Reading
Posted in Agriculture Law
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President Trump Signs Bill to Protect U.S. Against African Swine Fever
Last week, Jennifer Shike reported at AgWeb Online that, “President Donald Trump signed legislation on [March 3rd] to protect the U.S. pork industry from the threat of the deadly African swine fever (ASF) virus through expanded agricultural inspections. “S. 2107, the ‘Protecting America’s Food and Agriculture Act of 2019,’ authorizes the Department of Homeland Security’s… Continue Reading
Posted in Agriculture Law
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Co-ops Encouraged by Treasury Secretary’s Commitment to Fixing ‘Grain Glitch’
DTN Ag Policy Editor Chris Clayton reported last week that, “Leaders of the National Council of Farmer Cooperatives are optimistic IRS officials will adjust Section 199A(g) tax breaks after testimony this week from Treasury Secretary Steve Mnuchin. “Farmer cooperatives have been trying for more than two years to reestablish a tax deduction comparable to what… Continue Reading
Posted in Agriculture Law
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USDA to Open Signup March 16 for Conservation Reserve Program Grasslands
A news release yesterday from the USDA’s Farm Service Agency (FSA) stated that, “Farmers and ranchers may apply to enroll grasslands in the Conservation Reserve Program (CRP) Grasslands signup beginning March 16. The signup runs through May 15. “‘Through this CRP Grasslands signup, farmers and ranchers can protect grasslands, rangelands and pastures, while maintaining the… Continue Reading
Posted in Agriculture Law
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Despite Tough Year in Biofuels, Few Plants Changed Hands Last Year
DTN writer Todd Neeley reported last last month that, “Despite the biofuels industry operating on thin margins and dealing with federal policy uncertainty in 2019, the number of mergers and acquisitions in the industry was historically low last year, according to a new report from an investment bank focused on biofuels transactions. “Overproduction in the… Continue Reading
Posted in Agriculture Law
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Most Promising Startups Using Artificial Intelligence are U.S.-Based Companies
Bloomberg writer Susan Decker reported yesterday that, “The most promising startups using artificial intelligence are U.S.-based companies working in the fields of health care, retail and transportation, according to a study that looked at budding AI companies around the world. “Of the top 100 startups in AI, 65% were based in the U.S., though some… Continue Reading
Posted in Start-up Company Law
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