Trade remains the top concern for American agriculture heading into 2020, with looming uncertainty about whether the Chinese will make promised increases in commodity purchases, and whether President Donald Trump will provide another round of trade assistance to U.S. producers. 

President Trump announces his intent to nominate Brandon Lipps as Undersecretary Food, Nutrition, and Consumer Services, Kip Tom was sworn in to serve as the agriculture representative to the United Nations Agencies for Food and Agriculture in Rome, and Roger Johnson, announced he will not seek reelection as president of NFU.

Colby Pereira discussed the recent romaine outbreak traced back to the region and water quality and quantity challenges.

President Trump announces his intent to nominate Brandon Lipps as Undersecretary Food, Nutrition, and Consumer Services, Kip Tom was sworn in to serve as the agriculture representative to the United Nations Agencies for Food and Agriculture in Rome, and Roger Johnson, announced he will not seek reelection as president of NFU.

Reactions to latest water war * Prop 12 lawsuit hits a snag

The Food and Drug Administration has agreed to deadlines to meet requirements included in the 2011 Food Safety Modernization Act.

Stringent new requirements for water use in irrigation from the California Leafy Greens Marketing Agreement will have sweeping changes for the industry.

Many are wondering how the process will work and questions remain about coordination between state and federal agencies, a shortage of inspectors and questions on whether the standards will be enough to ward off the next outbreak.

FDA's just-retired top food regulator says the stunning warning that the agency issued about romaine lettuce two days before Thanksgiving was a wake-up call for growers to tighten safety standards and facilitate the tracking of their crops from field to store.

Wading into a potentially divisive farm bill issue, Agriculture Secretary Sonny Perdue asked Congress to make it harder for states to get waivers from work requirements in the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program.