agricultural-issues

Ag leaders lobby for better risk management programs at U.S. House farm bill hearing

BY: - April 27, 2023

The farm bill’s commodity insurance programs include the Agriculture Risk Coverage and Price Loss Coverage programs, which protect farmers from poor growing seasons and low prices, respectively.

COMMENTARY
A Tyson Poultry truck backs up to its load dock at a processing plant February 25, 2004 in Carthage, Texas. East Texas Poultry Producers and Farmers are concerned that the newest Avian Flu strain, most recently found in a flock in Houston, might spread to other flocks within East Texas. The Poultry industry in Texas is a mult-million dollar business for the state and fears of further flock infections could cripple the industry. (Photo by Mario Villafuerte/Getty Images)

The real cost of eggs is greater than you think | Opinion

BY: - April 12, 2023

When veterinarians can’t advocate for animals, everyone suffers.

COMMENTARY

How Right-to-Repair laws are empowering rural Americans | Opinion

BY: - February 23, 2023

The right-to-repair movement has become the leading edge of a pushback against growing corporate power.

Pa.’s Thompson, U.S. House ag leaders discuss anti-hunger measures in upcoming farm bill

BY: - January 18, 2023

'Food security provides a pathway to financial security,' Thompson, the new chair of the House Agriculture Committee, said.

U.S. Secretary of Agriculture Tom Vilsack talks trade at a Woodward, Iowa farm on 8/18/22 (Photo by Jared Strong/Iowa Capital Dispatch).

Federal government has given $800M to keep indebted farmers afloat

BY: - October 19, 2022

Pennsylvania's farm loan obligations totaled $69.4M, according to federal data.

A heron is perched on a piling at sunrise on the Chesapeake Bay in Chesapeake Beach.

States, including Pa., off pace to meet Chesapeake Bay cleanup goals | Thursday Morning Coffee

BY: - October 6, 2022

Pa. will fall short, but has 'momentum,' according to the Chesapeake Bay Foundation. 

COMMENTARY
Pig farming may evoke images like this, but the reality for most commercial pork production is very different. linephoto via Getty Images

What a Supreme Court fight over California’s animal welfare law means to the rest of us | Analysis

BY: - October 6, 2022

Pork producers are challenging rules requiring more humane practices for some meat and eggs sold in the Golden State.

Farmers, business owners discuss rising food production costs, inflation in Lancaster Co.

BY: - August 24, 2022

To combat the rising costs, Smucker said his business has had to get creative and find ways to be more efficient, including by decreasing company waste and researching market pricing. 

COMMENTARY
Federal regulators say poultry producers are disadvantaged by the consolidation of meat processing. (Photo by Stephen Ausmus/Agricultural Research Service, USDA)

Merger of Sanderson Farms and Cargill is a bad deal for farmers and consumers | Opinion

BY: - August 19, 2022

Stop the lip service and do something substantial that will truly help family farmers, our local economies and our country.

As aging farmers retire, lawmakers explore how to boost beginning producers

BY: - July 18, 2022

WASHINGTON —  More than half of American farmers will reach retirement age in the next 10 years, but the steep price of entry to start a farm, along with rising input costs and volatile markets, make it tough for young and beginning farmers to take their places. “Farming is inherently a risky business, but in […]

U.S. House Ag panel mulls safety net changes in farm bill amid soaring costs

BY: - June 10, 2022

U.S. Rep. Glenn Thompson, R-15th District,  said he wants to pay special consideration to the margins for farmers as members work on the next farm bill.

A large herd of cattle moves to a new pasture for grazing at the ARS Central Plains Experimental Range LTAR site in Colorado. d3846-1

Pa.’s Rep. Thompson denounces U.S. House hearing on record profits for meatpackers

BY: - April 28, 2022

'This hearing reeks of political points scoring on behalf of the administration,' Thompson, the panel's top Republican, said.