More than 80 agriculture groups signed off on a letter to President Donald Trump Tuesday, calling on the administration to reduce and eliminate tariffs and other restrictive agricultural policies in the Asia-Pacific region. By doing so, the agriculture groups say the move would allow American workers to supply Asian markets with high-quality food and agricultural goods. President Trump has signed an executive order removing the U.S. from the Trans-Pacific Partnership trade agreement with Asia-Pacific countries, preventing billions of dollars in added exports for U.S. agriculture. In the letter, the farm groups say: “We hope your Administration will create such opportunities for our sector by deepening U.S. economic engagement in this critical region, while responding to the Asia-only regional trade agreements being negotiated by our foreign competitors.” The groups go on to say that 95 percent of agriculture’s potential customers live outside of the United States borders, and that “expanding access to international markets is essential” to the success of the industry.

The Department of Agriculture has delayed the Farmer Fair Practices Rules under the Grain Inspection, Packers and Stockyards Act until April, 22nd. The delay allows time for the new Donald Trump administration to review the rules and is part of a White House order on government regulations. USDA claims the rules announced in December by the Obama administration seek to end harmful practices against farmers, and outlines protections to restore fairness and reduce the burden for farmers seeking justice under the Act. After having been delayed and obstructed for the past seven years, National Farmers Union President Roger Johnson says “it’s time to end the unnecessary delays” to the rule. Farmers Union is urging the Trump administration to complete the review process as quickly as possible. Opponents, however say the rule will lead to a flurry of lawsuits because of lighter proof requirements for competitive injury. USDA will accept comment on the rules until March 24th.

The national GMO labeling law passed by Congress may avoid the Donald Trump administration executive order against government regulations. The executive order calls for two regulations to be removed from the books for every regulation enacted in 2017. As Politico speculates, the GMO labeling law would be exempt from the order because it’s not projected to be completed until 2018. Although the National Bioengineered Food Disclosure Act, which created the labeling law, is not out of the woods yet as Trump could choose to extend the executive order into 2018. Further complicating the GMO labeling law, the bill set a deadline for the Department of Agriculture to release rules for complying with the law by July 29th, 2018. The legislation requires the law to go into effect if the rulemaking process is not completed by that date. USDA was working to implement the law with an Advanced Notice of Proposed rulemaking this year, but those plans have been delayed because of the executive order.

House Agriculture Committee Chairman Mike Conaway, a Texas Republican, says he wants to finish the next farm bill this year. The current farm bill does not expire until the end of 2018, but Conaway has asked House leadership regarding the possibility of floor time this year. House Ag Committee Ranking Democrat Collin Peterson of Minnesota says he would also like to complete the farm bill this year. But a majority of lobbyists said in a poll week they expect Congress will not finish the farm bill until 2019, and think lawmakers will spend 10 percent below the current legislation. Speaking via video to the Crop Insurance Annual Conference Monday, Conaway said crop insurance is not working for farmers. Meanwhile, speaking in person at the Southwest Ag Issues Conference, Conaway said farmers are hurting, and that he is committed to providing farmers a strong farm bill, according to the nonprofit coalition Farm Policy Facts. The Senate Agriculture Committee has set its first farm bill field hearing for February 23rd in Manhattan, Kansas.

(Missouri News Service) JEFFERSON CITY, Mo. – Agriculture and trade groups are voicing their concerns over President Donald Trump’s stance on immigration and his threats to withdraw from the North American Free Trade Agreement.

Trump’s calls to build a wall between the U.S. and Mexico and possibly institute a tax on Mexican imports have led to political strains between the two countries.

The president also has said he will either renegotiate NAFTA to benefit Americans or withdraw from it altogether.

Karen Hansen-Kuhn, director of trade and global governance at the Institute for Agriculture and Trade Policy (IATP), said instead of pitting people in one country against another, NAFTA should be replaced so that it benefits all. She said rural farmers have been struggling to make a living under the current agreement.

“So much of the focus has been on producing as much as possible and depending on export market, and in the process, both because of provisions on tariffs and changes in investment rules, farmers have lost bargaining power,” she said.

Hansen-Kuhn said the Trump administration needs to take public comment and check with farmers and rural communities before making changes to NAFTA.

Hansen-Kuhn said Trump’s plan to build a wall between Mexico and the U.S. is outrageous, shortsighted and beneath the U.S. as a nation. She said America’s farm economy cannot function without those workers.

“Besides the fact that it’s a wrong headed proposal, I think it makes it pretty hard for the Mexican government to take any negotiations with the Trump administration because people there are understandably upset,” she said.

IATP also opposes parts of the Trans Pacific Partnership. But the group supports restoring “country-of-origin labeling” so consumers know where the meat they’re buying comes from, and it supports having more laws to regulate the dumping of foreign-grown fruits and vegetables into American markets, affecting local farmers’ profits.

(Missourinet) – An ag technology specialist says drone technologies will be more readily available for commercial agriculture in Missouri this year because of new regulations from the Federal Aviation Administration.

Chad Colby with Colby Ag Tech says the FAA has simplified the process to become a registered drone operator and the technology is becoming more affordable.

“You can buy a great drone today for a couple thousand dollars that is amazing and three or four years ago it might have cost you $10,000 and not have the same technologies,” says Colby.

He says one of the best returns on the investment is more balance for family time.

“You drive by that 80 acre field and you’re trying to get home for your son or daughter’s baseball game in the middle of summer, you can throw a drone up in the air really quick, get a birds-eye view of that field,” says Colby. “Whether you’re using some advanced sensors or not, take that data back in the pickup truck and in two or three minutes determine ‘Oh my gosh, what am I looking at out in the field?’”

Missouri has more than 100,000 farms covering two-thirds of the state’s total land acreage.

Colby says if drone operators are going to charge for their services they need to register at knowbeforeyoufly.org.

WASHINGTON (AP) — President Donald Trump says he’s looking at “re-doing” the North American Free Trade Agreement, which he says has been a “catastrophe for our county.”

The president made the comments in a pair of meetings Thursday with lawmakers and employees from the Harley-Davidson motorcycle company.

Trump has long railed about the country’s trade deals, claiming they put American workers and companies at a disadvantage.

Trump says he doesn’t care if “it’s a renovation of NAFTA or a brand new NAFTA,” as long as it’s fairer for U.S. workers.

He says, “All of the statutory guidelines we’re adhering to I would like to speed it up if possible.”

He says his Commerce secretary nominee, Wilbur Ross, will lead the negotiations.

Economists generally attribute the loss of manufacturing jobs to China, not Mexico.

Secretary of Agriculture Nominee Sonny Perdue has received the endorsement from former Secretary of Agriculture Tom Vilsack. Perdue is the only cabinet nominee to secure the support of his predecessor in the Obama administration. Former Agriculture Secretary Tom Vilsack said in a statement Tuesday that Perdue “knows full well the opportunities and challenges that exist in rural communities.” Vilsack says he’s had the opportunity to work with Governor Perdue, in detailing Perdue’s commitment to farmers and ranchers, “regardless of size of production method.” President Donald Trump selected Perdue as his Agriculture Secretary nominee just before Inauguration Day. Perdue’s Senate confirmation hearings are expected in mid to late February.