Articles by Lydia Johnson

Government subsidies are keeping the nation’s farm economy afloat even more than last year. USDA is forecasting that farm income will be relatively stable this year only because of increased government payments.

As concern about New World screwworm grows, the Food and Drug Administration has granted emergency use authorization (EUA) to an anti-parasitic drug to prevent infestations by the parasite in cattle.

The Trump administration wants to ensure the success of the beef industry, but it needs to keep growing its herd, Health and Human Services Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr. said at CattleCon Thursday.

Health and Human Services Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr. is headlining the cattle industry’s annual convention, CattleCon, today in Nashville, Tennessee.

Gov. Gavin Newsom appointed Meghan Hertel as the new director of the California Department of Fish and Wildlife, a move aimed at steering the agency through ongoing conservation challenges. Church Brothers Farms hired Omar Bobadilla as chief strategy and operations officer. Kahn, Soares & Conway, LLP hired Alex Dominguez, an attorney specializing in public agency and water law. Sarah Alvernaz, general manager of California Sweet Potato Growers, was elected as the U.S. Sweet Potato Council’s new president.

OFW Law hired two USDA alums: Jeff Canavan as senior policy adviser and Jamie Woodside as associate attorney. Invariant has promoted Ken Barbic to chair the firm's food and agriculture practice. 

Senate Ag Chairman John Boozman, R-Ark., says storms and wildfires across the country make it more likely Congress will consider a supplemental spending bill this year. That’s important for the ag sector because the supplemental bill could be a vehicle for providing more aid to producers.

President Donald Trump says he’s trusting House Speaker Mike Johnson, R-La., and Senate Majority Leader John Thune, R-S.D., to get a deal done on E15 that works for farmers, consumers and oil companies.

Healthy Rural California appointed Emmie Johnson as CEO. Valent U.S.A. hired Meggie Gilbert as a strategic farms sustainable solutions account manager. After the sudden death of California Rep. Doug LaMalfa, the Western Caucus elected Utah Rep. Celeste Maloy as chair. Elena Kuhn joined the office of California Sen. Adam Schiff as a senior communications adviser. Jackson Takach has taken on leadership responsibilities for the Farm & Ranch operating segment at FarmerMac. Oregon Rep. Andrea Salinas promoted Molly McTaggart to legislative director.

The latest failed attempt to expand ethanol’s share of the U.S. gas tank is putting divisions within the petroleum oil industry on full display.