(NAFB) The U.S. Senate Ag Committee announced today that it voted to send the USDA nominations of Greg Ibach from Nebraska and Bill Northey of Iowa on to the full Senate. Ibach is nominated to be Under Secretary of Agriculture for Marketing and Regulatory Programs, while Northey is nominated to be Under Secretary of Agriculture for Farm and Foreign Agricultural Services. Committee Chair Pat Roberts of Kansas and Ranking Member Debbie Stabenow of Michigan issued a statement saying, “The Senate Ag Committee continues to advance USDA nominees as swiftly as possible, and we expect a quick confirmation from the U.S. Senate. Greg Ibach and Bill Northey are qualified and respected public servants who know agriculture firsthand and they will serve rural America well at the U.S. Department of Agriculture.” The Senate Ag Committee held a hearing on the nominees back on October 5. Both nominees have the full support of more than 60 farm organizations.

(NAFB)

Agriculture and other contentious issues proposed by the U.S. during round four of the North American Free Trade Agreement talks has stalled the renegotiation effort. The U.S., Canada and Mexico have now agreed to extend the talks into 2018, failing to meet the Trump Administration’s goal to conclude the talks by the end of this year.

The move comes as U.S. Trade Representative Robert Lighthizer has confirmed the U.S. will table its dairy proposal, for now. The proposal seeks to end Canada’s dairy supply management program, a “non-starter” for Canada.

Lighthizer has also tabled a proposal related to produce exports, opposed by Mexico. Negotiators say the longer timeline allows for them to “dig in” to the tough issues, and pledge to continue to work out a deal, while acknowledging that strong differences remain. The next round of talks is scheduled for November 17th in Mexico.

(Beef Checkoff)

It’s the meat with a first name, beloved by chefs such as Michael Symon and David Chang and enjoyed around the country for breakfast, lunch or dinner. Whether you spell it bologna or baloney, it’s a lifelong favorite that we celebrate every October 24 for National Bologna Day.

This year, the National Hot Dog and Sausage Council (NHDSC) and Beef Checkoff are celebrating by unveiling a new guide to bologna that details all of the important bologna facts including its origin, how it’s made, different bologna styles, fun facts and recipes. Bologna fans can also test their knowledge with a bologna quiz and check out a range of bologna recipes. “Bologna is an American classic that links us back to our childhoods,” said NHDSC President Eric Mittenthal.

“No matter how it is served, it is a guaranteed crowd pleaser.” Bologna is often served differently depending upon where people live. While most Americans have enjoyed traditional sliced bologna that is common on store shelves around the country, regional styles vary. I

n the Midwest, ring bolognas are often the preferred choice. These are smaller in diameter and sold as a semi-circle or a ring and may be sliced and eaten with crackers or split lengthwise and enjoyed in pastas and other dishes. Lebanon bologna is popular in Pennsylvania. It’s a beef bologna that is heavily smoked, known for its tangy and smoky flavor.

In Ohio, traditional bologna is often thick cut and fried before being enjoyed on a sandwich and in Memphis it is smoked and served with BBQ sauce. The Baltimore style hot dog features bologna wrapped around the hot dog for a meaty masterpiece. “Bologna’s versatility adds to the National Bologna Day fun,” said Mittenthal. “You can enjoy it for any meal or snack prepared differently.”

(NAFB)

The White House has directed the Environmental Protection Agency to stand down on efforts to weaken the Renewable Fuel Standard. Bloomberg reports the agency was told to abandon two changes that were under consideration: a possible reduction in biodiesel requirements and a proposal to allow exported renewable fuel to count toward domestic quotas.

President Donald Trump spoke with Iowa Governor Kim Reynolds Wednesday, who said she thought the “administration was feeling the pressure” from biofuels advocates. EPA administrator Scott Pruitt Tuesday met with a group of senators, led by Iowa’s Chuck Grassley, as the lawmakers claimed they “pushed Pruitt to abandon” the proposals.

Iowa’s junior Senator, Joni Ernst, said she would not commit to backing Trump’s EPA air office nominee, the office that oversees the renewable fuel program. Administration officials say the handful of senators blocked the administration by “threatening to hold nominees hostage until they get their way.”

(NAFB)

Wrapping up the fourth round of talks on the North American Free Trade Agreement, the U.S. proposed a dismantling of Canada’s dairy supply management system. Bloomberg reports Canada “flatly rejects” the proposal by the United States.

The proposal would effectively kill Canada’s supply management system by fully eliminating tariffs on supply-managed products over ten years.

President Donald Trump earlier this year called the system “unfair,” and used the system as part of his threat to withdraw from NAFTA. Canada’s government dismissed the U.S. dairy proposal, while the Dairy Farmers of Canada called it “outrageous.”

The U.S. proposal, according to Canada officials, would effectively end supply management. Canada’s Agriculture Minister said to “deal with anything else is simply a non-starter.” Former U.S. Trade Representative Michael Froman urged that the U.S. proposals be considered opening offers, saying “it’s a negotiation.”

(NCGA)

When planning a family vacation, you probably don’t put a lot of thought into which gas stations you are going to stop at, when you are going to stop and the type of gasoline you are going to fill-up with.

Well, Renewable Fuels Association’s Vice President of Industry Relations, Robert White, did just that and recently shared his journey. The average U.S. worker leaves nearly half of his or her vacation days on the table each year.

I am usually guilty of this too, but this year I wanted to make the most of time off and find a fun trip for myself, my wife and our 13-month-old daughter. We decided on visiting some national parks and monuments in Colorado and Utah. Naturally, this adventure had to be done in a Flex Fuel vehicle, and we chose our 2014 Jeep Grand Cherokee as our mode of transportation. The goal – to make the nearly 2,400-mile trip using only E85!

You can read the rest of the story which originally ran as a blog post created and distributed by the Renewable Fuels Association at: http://www.ethanolrfa.org/2017/09/vacation-powered-by-e85/

National livestock groups are hailing the Department of Agriculture’s withdraw of a GIPSA rule a victory.

USDA published a notice in the Federal Register announcing it would withdraw the interim final rule under the Grain Inspection, Packers and Stockyards Administration, known as GIPSA. Through submitted comments, USDA said a common theme of those opposed to the interim final rule was that it would lead to increased litigation. The National Cattlemen’s Beef Association called the withdraw a victory for beef producers and consumers.

The National Chicken Council says the rule “would have opened the floodgates to frivolous and costly litigation,” while applauding the USDA action.

The National Pork Producers Council, which says it led the opposition effort against the interim final rule, said the organization was “very pleased” with the move. NPPC says an Informa Economics study found that the 2010 GIPSA Rule would have cost the U.S. pork industry more than $420 million annually, more than $4 per hog, in added litigation costs.