House Agriculture Committee: Statement on Electronic Vehicle Investments
Chairman David Scott Releases Statement on Hearing, “Implications of Electric Vehicle Investments for Agriculture and Rural America”, House Agriculture Committee – House Agriculture Committee Chairman David Scott issued the following statement after yesterday’s hearing titled Implications of Electric Vehicle Investments for Agriculture and Rural America: “Today’s hearing was incredibly important and showcased how electric vehicle investments will impact rural America and agriculture as a whole,” said Chairman David Scott.
Trade: White House Addresses China Trade Deficit
White House Will Push China to Make Up for $16B Trade Deficit in Phase One, Vilsack Tells American Farm Bureau, The Packer – The American Farm Bureau Federation (AFBF) Convention in underway in Atlanta this week, and as Phase One agreement with China is now expired, USDA Secretary Tom Vilsack spoke to members in-person, assuring farmers and ranchers the White House will push China to make up for the $16 billion shortfall in trade.
U.S. Fish and Wildlife: Nomination of Martha Williams
Committee advances Williams’ nomination to head U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service, Billings Gazette – A Senate committee on Wednesday advanced the nomination of Montanan Martha Williams to lead the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service. Williams, the former director of Montana Fish, Wildlife & Parks, was nominated to the federal agency director post by President Joe Biden in October. She has served over the last year as principal deputy director at USFWS while the director’s position has remained open.
Endangered Species Act: Unintended Consequences
ESA’s history: Good intentions, litigious results, Western Livestock Journal – Possibly well intentioned, often costly and always burdensome, laws with acronyms such as NEPA, FLPMA, CWA and a host of others have become familiar to most ranchers over the past five decades. Among these laws, however, none have equaled the impact or unbridled reach of the Endangered Species Act (ESA).
Lamb Bonanza: Annual Event at SDSU
South Dakota State University to hold annual Lamb Bonanza, Ag Week – South Dakota State University will be hosting its 30th annual Lamb Bonanza on Jan. 15. The event brings together the South Dakota State animal science department, the South Dakota Sheep Growers Association and the South Dakota State University athletics department.
BLM Lawsuit: Environmental Groups Sue BLM
Environmentalists blast cattle grazing at critical habitat in Agua Fria Monument, Courthouse News Service – Environmental groups sued the BLM on Wednesday for failing to monitor cattle grazing in Arizona’s Agua Fria National Monument, putting endangered fish and birds as well as critical habitat at risk. The 33-page lawsuit criticized the federal government’s “ongoing failure to adequately protect and conserve threatened and endangered species that are being harmed by livestock grazing in the Agua Fria National Monument in Arizona.”
Beef Prices: Packers, the Supply Chain, and the Future
While beef prices skyrocket, ranchers on the Western Slope aren’t seeing the benefits, Craig Press – With rising costs across the board as a result of supply chain issues, labor shortages due to COVID-19 or higher prices set by processors, it’s difficult to point to a single reason that consumers are paying more for meat. Rising beef prices not only affect the finances of the local consumer, but also those of the ranchers.
Prescribed Fires: Boosting Prairie Productivity
Nebraska ranchers use fire to reclaim grazing lands, High Plains Journal – Science shows burns are working to save grasslands from the threats posed by encroaching trees, such as the eastern redcedar. Researchers from the University of Nebraska-Lincoln recently released the Loess Canyons Experimental Landscape Science Report, which provides evidence that fires can reverse woody encroachment, restore productive rangelands, and improve wildlife habitat.