Articles by Derrick Cain

Gov. Jerry Brown (D) declared a state of emergency today in California directing state officials to take necessary actions to combat serious drought conditions as farmers there are dealing with record low levels of rainfall.

The Senate today gave final congressional approval to a $1 trillion omnibus spending package that would fund the federal government, including USDA and FDA, through fiscal year 2014

The National Cotton Council (NCC) said today it is “deeply disappointed and disturbed” by statements reportedly made by representatives of the Brazilian cotton industry during their recent visit to Washington.

House Agriculture Committee Chairman Frank Lucas, R-Okla., said today he has a proposal to possibly settle the dairy policy battle, which is one issue stalling movement on a long-term farm bill.

The House approved today a $1 trillion omnibus spending package that would fund the federal government, including USDA and FDA, through fiscal year 2014.

Negotiations over a long-term farm bill are expected to continue this week while lawmakers try to nail down an omnibus spending bill for federal departments, including the USDA

USDA and FDA would receive a combined increase of $350 million in FY 2014 as part of a $1 trillion omnibus appropriations package that would fund 12 federal departments.

Although House Speaker John Boehner, R-Ohio, will not budge on his position on dairy policy, top Republican farm bill conferees are hopeful that a conference report could be signed this week, Rep. Mike Conaway, R-Texas., said Monday night.

Widespread expectations of a farm bill conference this week evaporated Thursday with more dust getting kicked up over the dairy policy dispute as House Speaker John Boehner, R-Ohio, essentially guaranteed he will get his way on dairy in the end.