A barge along the Ohio River at the foot of Consolidated Grain and Barge in Cincinnati served as backdrop for an announcement of sweeping changes in U.S. agricultural policy.

 

Standing in front of that barge, which was filled with soybeans likely headed to Southeast Asia, new USDA Secretary Sonny Perdue outlined the department’s overhaul, which addresses the ever-increasing importance of international trade to agriculture.

Discussions about two pesticide programs will impact farmers.

 

Implementation of the Certification and Training of Pesticide Applicators (C&T) rule has been extended 12 months. The U.S. EPA is requesting that public comments about the new effective date, May 22, 2018, be submitted by May 19, 2017.