The Impact of Farm Policy and The War in Ukraine on America’s Food Supply
By Peter Bachmann, Vice President, Policy & Government Affairs, USA Rice.
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By Peter Bachmann, Vice President, Policy & Government Affairs, USA Rice.
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A certified Sustainability Specialist, Jeff uses a variety of conservation practices to boost his already-fertile land, the result of a glacial outwash event.
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U.S. farmers are producing 130% more soy today on roughly the same amount of land they have been using for decades, with further improvements targeted by 2025.
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Women play a vital role in American agriculture. More than half (51%) of all farming operations in the United States have at least one female operator, according to the 2019 Agricultural Resource Management Survey.
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The U.S. Dry Bean Council (USDBC) is comprised of leaders in the bean industry with the common goal of promoting the U.S. edible bean trade, both in the United States and abroad, and educating U.S. consumers about the benefits of beans. The USDBC gives a voice to the bean industry and provides information to consumers, health professionals, buyers, suppliers and the media about the good taste, nutritional value and versatility of beans. As part of USDBC’s mission, the organization also collaborates with public health organizations, research centers, universities, and the entire supply chain on projects related to nutrition, food aid, sustainability and trade.
Bean farmers proudly foster the sustainability of agriculture through the production of beans. The nitrogen-fixing properties of beans improve soil fertility, which improves and extends the productivity of farmland. Intercropping with pulses increases farm biodiversity and creates a more diverse landscape for animals and insects. Beans are also highly water efficient and require less water compared to other protein sources. An unexpected ally against climate change, dry bean species have broad genetic diversity from which climate resilient varieties can be selected. By producing a smaller carbon footprint, beans indirectly reduce greenhouse gas emissions.
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USSA spoke to him about water conservation and some of the innovative irrigation practices he implements on his farm.
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Doug Winter is a fifth-generation soybean grower from Mill Shoals, Illinois and the vice chairman of the U.S. Soybean Export Council.
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He spoke to us about the precise cost, productivity and sustainability benefits of using the right amount of fertilizer where it’s needed and reducing tillage passes on his fields.
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Thanks to new processes and technologies, the leather production industry has cut its water footprint by 37% in the past 25 years and it’s improving all the time.
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Greg Baltz operates Running Lake Farms in Randolph County, Arkansas. He explains why corn and peanuts are the perfect crop rotation policy that allows him to farm sustainably whilst minimizing his use of fertilizer.
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By Peter Bachmann, Vice President, Policy & Government Affairs, USA Rice.
Read more
A certified Sustainability Specialist, Jeff uses a variety of conservation practices to boost his already-fertile land, the result of a glacial outwash event.
Read more
U.S. farmers are producing 130% more soy today on roughly the same amount of land they have been using for decades, with further improvements targeted by 2025.
Read more
Women play a vital role in American agriculture. More than half (51%) of all farming operations in the United States have at least one female operator, according to the 2019 Agricultural Resource Management Survey.
Read moreThe U.S. Dry Bean Council (USDBC) is comprised of leaders in the bean industry with the common goal of promoting the U.S. edible bean trade, both in the United States and abroad, and educating U.S. consumers about the benefits of beans. The USDBC gives a voice to the bean industry and provides information to consumers, health professionals, buyers, suppliers and the media about the good taste, nutritional value and versatility of beans. As part of USDBC’s mission, the organization also collaborates with public health organizations, research centers, universities, and the entire supply chain on projects related to nutrition, food aid, sustainability and trade. Bean farmers proudly foster the sustainability of agriculture through the production of beans. The nitrogen-fixing properties of beans improve soil fertility, which improves and extends the productivity of farmland. Intercropping with pulses increases farm biodiversity and creates a more diverse landscape for animals and insects. Beans are also highly water efficient and require less water compared to other protein sources. An unexpected ally against climate change, dry bean species have broad genetic diversity from which climate resilient varieties can be selected. By producing a smaller carbon footprint, beans indirectly reduce greenhouse gas emissions.
Read more
USSA spoke to him about water conservation and some of the innovative irrigation practices he implements on his farm.
Read more
Doug Winter is a fifth-generation soybean grower from Mill Shoals, Illinois and the vice chairman of the U.S. Soybean Export Council.
Read more
He spoke to us about the precise cost, productivity and sustainability benefits of using the right amount of fertilizer where it’s needed and reducing tillage passes on his fields.
Read more
Thanks to new processes and technologies, the leather production industry has cut its water footprint by 37% in the past 25 years and it’s improving all the time.
Read more
Greg Baltz operates Running Lake Farms in Randolph County, Arkansas. He explains why corn and peanuts are the perfect crop rotation policy that allows him to farm sustainably whilst minimizing his use of fertilizer.
Read more
Farmers are under increasing pressure due to climate change, global conflicts, and trade disruptions. However, advances in plant breeding offer hope, writes Andy LaVigne, the President and CEO of the American Seed Trade Association (ASTA).
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Tarik Eluri, sustainability manager at the U.S. Soybean Export Council (USSEC), a founding member of the U.S. Sustainability Alliance (USSA), recently discussed U.S. sustainable agriculture with Spain’s Fundación Antama – a non-profit that promotes new technologies for agrifood and the environment. The conversation focused on USSA’s mission and the U.S. soy industry, including the evolution of sustainability and the role of innovation.
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In a landmark move, the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has approved Bovaer® - a feed ingredient that reduces enteric methane emissions from dairy cows - for use in the United States. What are the implications?
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To mark National Dairy Month, we visit a New York dairy farm to look at some of the advances that have led to these improvements. Meet the Beck Brothers, the stars of a new TV documentary!
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An update on the Trust Protocol over the past 12 months. The report covers grower participation and progress across key sustainability metrics, from resource efficiency to soil health
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An update on the success of USDA’s Partnerships for Climate-Smart Commodities initiative, which aims to expand market opportunities for commodities produced using climate-smart practices
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An analysis of trends in agricultural total factor productivity (TFP) - a measure of how efficiently agricultural resources and inputs are used to produce output. It includes key obstacles to TFP growth and effective solutions.
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Climate Change Indicators in the United States, the fifth edition of a report first published by EPA in 2010, examines the ongoing impact of climate change on the United States. It provides insights into the scale and significance of these changes and their potential consequences for people, the environment, and society.
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Sievers Family Farms in Iowa is one of a growing number of farms using manure-based anaerobic digesters. These digesters convert farm waste into valuable byproducts, such as renewable electricity and fertilizer, while reducing greenhouse gas emissions.
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In this issue, we share the findings of the 2024 Global Agricultural Productivity Report (The GAP Report) by Virginia Tech. The report warns of sluggish productivity growth, highlighting the urgent need to bridge the gap between technology development and farmer adoption.
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In response to shifting weather patterns and more severe extreme weather events, the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) is stepping up its efforts to help American producers fight climate change.
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In mid-October, the U.S. Sustainability Alliance (USSA) hosted three European Union (EU) officials for a Climate Smart Agriculture mission to the United States. The mission aimed to enhance understanding of U.S. conservation programs and highlight U.S. leadership in agricultural sustainability.
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Whilst the USSA members work to exceed regulatory requirement, U.S. laws and regulations provide a robust framework, developed over many years, to ensure and promote the sustainability of its crop, livestock, seafood and forestry sectors. The policies look to immediate impacts on the environment and beyond to cover topics from employment to biodiversity to endangered species. The following pages provide context and an introduction to key federal legislation.
Focused on conservation and environmental stewardship, the USDA, working with The Natural Resources Conservation Service on technical assessment and the Farm Service Agency for enforcements, uses grant management to deliver best practice. A particular focus is on erodible lands and wetlands, with ‘sodbuster’ and ‘swampbuster’ rules, requires presentation of conservation strategies prior to conversion of lands to agricultural use. One result, that soil loss has been halved since 1982.
The U.S. recognizes that sustainability has many facets and action is required in explicit areas. This has resulted in the enactment of a wide range of laws from the Clean Water Act and Clean Air Act to the Endangered Species Act, to research and regulatory action on Insecticides and Fungicides and Rodenticide Act; and, with the Lacey Act a focus on illegal trafficking of plants, fish and animals.
In the latest episode of This is U.S. Sustainability, we hear from two multi-generational farmers – an eleventh-generation grains farmer from Maryland and the owner of a centennial cattle farm in Louisiana – about how they have moved with the times while staying true to their roots. We cover rotational grazing, no-till cultivation, water conservation, biotech seeds, and more. And we discuss why going back to the natural cycle is sometimes the best approach.
Tune in to the latest episode of This is U.S. Sustainability to hear how Paul Catanzaro and Professor Tony D’Amato work together to reach family forest owners and ensure they have the information and resources to make the right decisions about their land. And learn about the vital role Tim Stout, a Vermont landowner, plays in amplifying their message.
Tune in for the lowdown on the innovative, often surprising ways the almond industry and the wider food sector are reducing waste. Jet fuel, beer, water filters and peat moss to grow mushrooms – these are just some of the many applications in use and under development.
Hear directly from noted seafood chef and author Barton Seaver about the sustainability of the American lobster industry.
Watch nowThe new Rewind documentary series from Real Leather Stay Different. aims to provide some balance in the debate about the use of our land, fast fashion and our future.
Watch nowThis video highlights the emphasis on sustainability by the U.S. beef industry. Watch this story of beef farmers’ and ranchers’ multi-generational commitment to the environment with buyers and consumers around the world.
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