Having trouble viewing this email? View it as a Web page.
 
At the core of USDA's mission is working to ensure that American agriculture thrives in an increasingly global economy. Through things like research, data and analysis, value-add programs and trade agreements, we are continuously looking for ways to expand both foreign and domestic markets for American farmers, ranchers and agribusinesses. This week’s farmer feature is rancher Bob McCan who oversees his family’s Texas ranches, stocked with Victoria cattle. Ranchers like Bob McCan work hard year after year to ensure their businesses thrive, but also understand the value that expanding markets can bring to their operations. The recently negotiated Trans-Pacific Partnership (TPP) will break down barriers to trade and create significant new opportunities for U.S. agriculture, supporting jobs and boosting economic growth for rural businesses like Bob’s. In his own words: “Increasing access to foreign markets provides exponential opportunity for the U.S. beef industry. The Trans-Pacific Partnership would give the United States greater access to market our beef to many countries in the Pacific Rim. Already accounting for about 60 percent of total U.S. beef exports, these countries clearly want our product. This agreement will allow us to continue to grow our market share in Asia and South America.” As 2015 draws to a close, we’re thanking our nation’s farmers and ranchers for all they’ve done by highlighting a few of the most moving and motivating stories of the year. Follow along this month as we continue to feature farmer and rancher stories as well as track some of our favorite digital content from 2015. Throughout December, use #highfive to see just what we’ve been up to in the last 12 months, and stay tuned as we look forward to a 2016 that promises to be better than ever.
THIS JUST IN: USDA Issues Permit for Santa’s Reindeer to Enter the U.S. The U.S. Department of Agriculture’s Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service (APHIS) today issued a movement permit to Mr. S. Claus of the North Pole, a broker with Worldwide Gifts, Unlimited. The permit will allow reindeer to enter and exit the United States between the hours of 6 PM December 24, 2015 and 6 AM December 25, 2015, through or over any northern border port. America’s Diverse Family Farms Describing the structure of the U.S. farm sector is challenging because farms vary widely in size and other characteristics. Are they largely family businesses, or corporate operations? U.S. farms range from very small retirement and residential holdings to businesses with sales in the millions of dollars. To better understand U.S. agriculture, USDA’s Economic Research Service (ERS) recently released America’s Diverse Family Farms. The report categorizes farms into homogenous groupings based on the annual revenue of the farm, primary occupation of the principal operator, and family/nonfamily ownership of the farm.
NIFA-funded projects help improve quality of life in Indian Country When the 1994 land-grant universities began to form there was a hint that something different and special was underway. The new land-grant system would teach in a cultural context that empowered students by drawing on the strength of their peoples’ history, indigenous knowledge, and traditions. There are now 34 tribal land-grant institutions that have made great strides in their ability to serve their communities. Success in any part of agriculture today means being able to successfully navigate local, state and federal laws and regulations — from water rights to food safety regulations, from crop insurance to organic certification. To help people find such legal information, the National Agricultural Library (NAL) has recently developed the Agricultural Law Information Partnership website.
USDA Clears Santa's Reindeer to Enter the U.S. Broadcast Date: Thursday, December 24, 2015 USDA has ruled that Santa's reindeer are disease free and can enter the U.S. without restrictions. (Gary Crawford and Dr. Alecia Naugle) USDA Getting Ready To Tackle Some Big Jobs in the New Year Broadcast Date: Thursday, December 24, 2015 USDA leaders are getting ready to tackle some big jobs in 2016. (Gary Crawford and Dep. Sec'y Krysta Harden) Hog Industry Setting Several Records, According to USDA Report Broadcast Date: Wednesday, December 23, 2015 As hog prices fall, hog inventories are at record high levels. (Gary Crawford and Shayle Shagam) What Does That Global Climate Change Agreement Mean for Farmers? Broadcast Date: Tuesday, December 22, 2015 Negotiators in Paris got an early holiday present with a global climate change agreement, but what does it mean for U.S. farmers. Gary Crawford has this. PARTICIPANTS: Gary Crawford. President Barack Obama. French Foreign Minister Laurent Fabius. U.S. Agriculture Secretary Tom Vilsack. Director of USDA's Climate Change Office Bill Hohenstein. An Unusual Season Of Weather Nationwide Broadcast Date: Tuesday, December 22, 2015 El Nino is a contributing factor in what have been unusual weather patterns across regions of the country this fall and early winter. Rod Bain reports. PARTICIPANTS: Rod Bain and USDA meteorologist Brad Rippey.
|
