Podcasts about National Farmers Union

On Food Talk with Dani Nierenberg, Dani speaks with Rob Larew, President of the National Farmers Union. They talk about the uncertainty farmers are experiencing in the face of changing weather patterns and policies from the Trump-Vance Administration, why cuts to foreign aid affect American food producers, and how recent legislation is pitting farm and nutrition priorities against one another. Plus, hear about the dietary recommendations contained in the recent report from the Make America Healthy Again Commission, the cancellation of projects from the U.S. Department of Agriculture that will impact childhood nutrition and access to education in low-income countries, and a new rule that can protect New Mexico's food and farm workers from extreme heat.  While you're listening, subscribe, rate, and review the show; it would mean the world to us to have your feedback. You can listen to “Food Talk with Dani Nierenberg” wherever you consume your podcasts.

Billy Mitchell, experto en inocuidad de alimentos, habla con nosotros sobre las auditorías de inocuidad alimentaria y las preguntas más frecuentes que tienen los agricultores. Damos la bienvenida a Billy Mitchell, Coordinador de Capacitación de FSMA para la Unión Nacional de Agricultores, para una conversación sobre las preguntas que comúnmente escucha de los agricultores sobre la seguridad alimentaria. Sintoniza para escuchar sobre: - Por qué la certificación de seguridad alimentaria se ha vuelto más común - ¿Esta certificación es voluntaria para productores orgánicos certificados y pequeñas fincas? - Cuánto tiempo lleva preparar una granja para una auditoría - El costo promedio de una auditoría de seguridad alimentaria Aprenda más en nuestro sitio web: https://foginfo.org/food-safety-for-producers-spanish/ Aprenda sobre el Sindicato Nacional de Agricultores (en inglés, National Farmers Union) en su página web: https://nfu.org  Encuentre información sobre la inocuidad de alimentos en la pagina web de la Alianza de Inocuidad de Frutas y Verduras (en inglés, Produce Safety Alliance): https://producesafetyalliance.cornell.edu Obtenga más información sobre la inocuidad de alimentos en el sitio web de the U.S. Food and Drug Administration:https://www.fda.gov/food/guidance-regulation-food-and-dietary-supplements/food-safety-modernization-act-fsma  Support the showDue to the ongoing federal funding freeze, we must redirect our efforts to other FOG programs. But we need your help to keep programs like Fresh Take and other FOG initiatives alive! Become a sponsor today! Your sponsorship is crucial for us to continue providing essential programs, including this podcast. Visit our sponsor page now to learn more and join our community of supporters. Together, we can make a significant impact!

There's no question about the level of uncertainty facing U.S. agriculture in 2025, and Rob Larew, president of the National Farmers Union, says a getting a new Farm Bill done this year would clear some of that up.

There's no question about the level of uncertainty facing U.S. agriculture in 2025, and Rob Larew, president of the National Farmers Union, says a getting a new Farm Bill done this year would clear some of that up.

The Ag-Net News Hour Hosts, Lorrie Boyer and Nick Papagni, “The Ag Meter,“ discussed recent trade developments, highlighting a significant reduction in tariffs on Chinese goods from 145% to 30%. The US and China are negotiating a 90-day truce, with potential for a more permanent deal. The phase one trade deal with China, which included billions in agricultural purchases, is being revisited. The US has closed its border to Mexican cattle, bison, and horses due to the New World screw worm, a decision supported by the National Cattlemen's Beef Association. The hosts also touched on the US-Ukraine deal and the potential for in-person talks between Zelensky and Putin   Mike Strands, Vice President of Advocacy at the National Farmers Union, discussed the Trump administration's new trade deal with the UK, focusing on market access for U.S. beef and ethanol. He highlighted Secretary of Agriculture Brooke Rollins' aggressive travel schedule to promote trade deals with various countries. Strands emphasized the urgency of passing a new Farm Bill due to rising input costs and trade tensions, noting that 100 Farmers Union members lobbied Congress. He also addressed potential USDA budget cuts, which could impact farm safety nets and conservation programs, and the impact of recent employee buyouts on USDA staffing levels. Aaron Kendall, Director of Sporting Advocacy at the National Wildlife Federation, discussed the potential sale of public lands for affordable housing. He highlighted that the Federal Land Policy Management Act allows the sale of up to 2,500 acres of BLM lands, but proposed sales would divert revenue to the treasury rather than improving land management. Kendall argued against the proposal, citing economic and logistical challenges, including infrastructure costs and emergency services. He emphasized the importance of public lands for recreation and local economies, noting that grazing permits on federal lands are significantly cheaper than on state or private lands. Kendall urged listeners to contact their representatives to protect public lands.

The National Farmers Union is hosting a Week of Action May 5-9.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Thursday on AOA, powered by Cenex, we start the show with a look at the markets, potential impacts of trade deals, spread action in corn and more with Mike Zuzolo from Global Commodity Analytics. In Segment Two, we get an update on the latest Ag Economy Barometer with Dr. Jim Mintert, Professor Emeritus with Purdue's Center for Commercial Agriculture. In Segment Three, we discuss National Farmers Union's Week of Action with their VP of Advocacy, Mike Stranz. Then we close the show with a look at ag news headlines from Capitol Hill in Segment Four.

This week, the National Farmers Union brought farmer members from across the U.S. to Washington to amplify the need for a 5-year Farm Bill. Stephanie Hoff caught up with the President of the NFU, Rob Larew, and Wisconsin Farmers Union members. Larew says right now the volatility in the farm economy has him concerned. Larew is pushing for Congress to get a strong, five-year Farm Bill passed to provide some certainty for American farmers. This was the message echoed by Wisconsin Farmers Union. Government Relations Director Michelle Ramirez-White says the timing was perfect because Congress is marking up the Farm Bill during budget reconciliation. Rami Aburomia was among the delegation. He’s an apple grower outside of Madison. He recently joined Wisconsin Farmers Union to advocate for better safety nets for specialty crop growers. This Washington Watch news update is brought to you by the Wisconsin Soybean Association, dedicated to ensuring policies are in place for the future of soybean farmers.Chilly start to our Thursday but more sunshine on the way. Stu Muck says the northwoods may still see a little frost even into Friday.The Federal Reserve held interest rates unchanged during their May meeting. While the U.S. economy as a whole may not be in a recession, some facets of Wisconsin agriculture are already there. Sam Miller is a Principal with Fox Street Advisors in Appleton. He believes that grain markets have been in a recession for a while. He's watching the 10 year bond as an indicator of where the market's going.While tariffs are what many are focused on, Wisconsin Ag Secretary, Randy Romanski, is working on keeping relationships in place. He explains that about a year ago the state invested in bringing trade partners from Indonesia to Wisconsin. Now, they've asked Wisconsin to visit them, and Romanski did! Jan Prins from EverAg joins Pam Jahnke. Prins grew up on a family dairy in Washington state. He says the market was surprised this week with huge sales of cheese to the export market. Prins explains that right now the U.S. is at a price advantage over the EU as they wait for their milk production trend to improve.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

The National Farmers Union is hosting a Week of Action, this week, May 5-9.

The National Farmers Union is hosting a Week of Action, this week, May 5-9.

National Farmers Union questions how long tariffs will be in place and what that might mean for the US ag industry.

During President Trump's first-term trade war, farmers in Wisconsin and nationwide got $23 billion in bailout payments but they would've rather had the $27 billion in export business Trump blocked. Now there's discussion on another multi-billion dollar price tag to keep farmers afloat during a second trade war—but Congress has delayed some other farm assistance for years. So which will it be: another stiff arm and delays or another costly bailout? We'll talk to a Wisconsin farmer and a top official with the National Farmers Union. UpNorthNews with Pat Kreitlow airs on several stations across the Civic Media radio network, Monday through Friday from 6-8 am. Subscribe to the podcast to be sure not to miss out on a single episode! To learn more about the show and all of the programming across the Civic Media network, head over to https://civicmedia.us/shows to see the entire broadcast line up. Follow the show on Facebook, X, and Instagram to keep up with Pat & the show! Guests: Hans Breitenmoser, Mike Stranz

Donald Trump's new tariff regime, imposing at least a 10% tariff on all imports to the US, has caused chaos in international markets, and farmers across the world are wondering how they'll be affected. Here the National Farmers Union says it's working “at pace” with government on how to react if there is market disruption.The University of Reading has a worldwide reputation for expertise in agriculture and food research. So there was some surprise when it was revealed the University was planning to sell off one of its farms for housing.As part of our week looking at island farming, we're heading west off the coast of Cornwall, to the Isles of Scilly. Frost is rare in Scilly, which means cut flowers can be grown outdoors in both the winter and early spring. Presented by Caz Graham and produced by Beatrice Fenton.

04/03/25: Joel Heitkamp is joined by Jeff Lassle and Doug Sombke to have a conversation about tariffs after President Trump's announcement. Jeff is the President and Chief Executive Officer of NexEra Materials Group, LLC based out of South Dakota. NexEra, the manufacturer of Cem-Rock planned to break ground on two new manufacturing facilities—one in Rapid City, SD, and another in Waycross, GA, but he's changed his mind on it. Doug Sombke is the President of South Dakota Farmers Union. Doug was elected to serve as president of Farmers Union Industries in 2017, an organization that owns several agribusinesses whose profits help fund the operations of five state Farmers Union organizations as well as the National Farmers Union. (Joel Heitkamp is a talk show host on the Mighty 790 KFGO in Fargo-Moorhead. His award-winning program, “News & Views,” can be heard weekdays from 8 – 11 a.m. Follow Joel on X/Twitter @JoelKFGO.)See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Our Special Guest this week is Jason Prior, Chief Executive of Prior + Partners, whose projects include the 2012 London Olympics, Rio 2016, Google's California Campus and a new city in Saudi Arabia.A Decision of the High Court involving the National Farmers Union, Herefordshire Council, The Secretary of State for Levelling Up, Housing and Communities and River Action UK relating to challenging the lawfulness of policy W3 of the Herefordshire Minerals and Waste Local Plan (“MWLP”). Policy W3 refers to Agricultural waste management, including for livestock units.A Decision of the Court of Appeal relating to the objection of a proposed construction of a 15-meter-high mobile phone mast by Cignal Infrastructure Limited on behalf of the mobile network operator Three, on a site located within Cheltenham's Central Conservation area.An Appeal Decision regarding a proposed development of up to 190 homes by Persimmon Homes Severn Valley on Land at Rectory Farm North, Chescombe Road, Yatton. The 190 homes are comprised of flats, semi-detatched, detatched and terraced housing with 50% of them being affordable. Visit our Website:hwgpnfy.com

Ben Riley-Smith of The Daily Telegraph assesses the latest developments at Westminster.After the government announced savings of £5bn a year from the benefits bill, Ben speaks to Labour MP Clive Lewis, who raised concerns about the plans in the Commons, and David Blunkett, formerly a Cabinet minister under Tony Blair and now a Labour peer.Also this week Conservative leader Kemi Badenoch ditched her party's commitment to make Britain a 'net zero' carbon emitter by 2050, a policy first introduced by Theresa May's government in 2019. Conservative MP and former Cabinet minister, David Davis, and former Conservative adviser, Salma Shah, debate the merits of the plan.Crossbench peer, Minette Batters, who is the former President of the National Farmers Union, joins Ben from her farm in Wiltshire to discuss whether Labour can mend its relationship with farmers.And, following the visit of the new Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney to Britain, Ben speaks to the former UK High Commissioner to Canada, Susan le Jeune d'Allegeershecque, and Labour MP Matt Western, who chairs the All Party Parliamentary Group on Canada.

After three hurricanes hit her Florida district in 13 months, Rep. Kat Cammack, R-Fla., overviews recovery efforts and the possibility to embed USDA staff in FEMA to assist with future disasters. She also discusses the potential for including farm bill elements in budget reconciliation, saying it is “absolutely feasible.”Then, T.A. Hawks with Monument Advocacy and Mike Stranz from the National Farmers Union discuss USDA's release of $10B in market relief payments and the potential impact of the administration's trade policies on agriculture.Want to receive Newsmakers in your inbox every week? Sign up! http://eepurl.com/hTgSAD

There has been a lot of talk about tariffs and how they will affect the dairy industry. The National Farmers Union has a statement on that.

The National Farmers Union members gathered recently to set their 2025 policy priorities at its national convention in Oklahoma City.

The National Farmers Union set its 2025 policy priorities at its recent national convention in Oklahoma City, Oklahoma.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

The National Farmers Union members gathered recently to set their 2025 policy priorities at its national convention in Oklahoma City.

Brownfield's Jared White visited with National Farmers Union vice president and South Dakota farmer Jeff Kippley at the National Farmers Union Convention in Oklahoma City, Oklahoma.See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

On this episode of Agriculture Today, we'll learn about some bipartisan legislation in Congress that aims to protect the nation's food supply, how the National Farmers Union is working to ensure producers have fair and open markets, producers cutting costs amid the tough economic conditions, and how the sudden termination of two USDA food programs has some producers seeking new marketing channels.See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Today we look at the Government's decision to close the Sustainable Farming Incentive to new applicants with immediate effect. The SFI is a major part of the post-Brexit system of farm payments in England. The devolved governments in the other nations of the UK are developing their own schemes and in the meantime retain direct payments to farmers. In England those basic payments are being phased out and replaced by environmental payments. The Sustainable Farming Incentive is one of the new schemes. It offered a range of options like improving soils, planting hedges or providing habitat for wildlife, for which farmers are paid. Defra says the budget has been 'successfully allocated' and so no new applications will now be accepted. Details on a new SFI will be announced in the summer but applications may not re-open until next year. Tom Bradshaw, President of the National Farmers Union, says the news is a "shattering blow".Presented by Charlotte Smith and produced by Beatrice Fenton.

National Farmers Union launched the Farmers Capital Fund, a $25 million investment initiative dedicated to supporting early- and growth-stage companies that accelerate agricultural productivity. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

On this episode of Agriculture Today, we'll learn about how different areas of the ag industry are responding to work from the Make America Healthy Again Commission, we'll hear the National Farmers Union's perspective on funding freezes and job cuts within USDA, ag input costs and how they're impacting farmers heading into planting season, plus an interview with former NCGA CEO Jon Doggett. See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

On this episode of Agriculture Today, we'll learn about the data that came out of USDA's Supply and Demand Report on Tuesday, the continued shutdown of a number of biodiesel plants in the Midwest, the need for conservation programs for farmers and ranchers, and how farm managers and their employees are learning to use new technologies.See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Billy Mitchell, food safety expert, talks with us about food safety audits and commonly asked questions from farmers.   We welcome Billy Mitchell, FSMA Training Coordinator for the National Farmers Union, for a conversation about questions he commonly hears from farmers about food safety. Tune in to hear about: Why food safety certification has become more common Is this certification voluntary for certified organic growers and small farms? How long it takes to prepare a farm for an audit  The average cost of a food safety audit  Resources: Listen to FOG's food safety-related webinars on our website: https://foginfo.org/food-safety-for-producers/ Learn about the National Farmers Union on their website: https://nfu.org Find information on food safety on the Produce Safety Alliance website: https://producesafetyalliance.cornell.edu Support the showDue to the ongoing federal funding freeze, we must redirect our efforts to other FOG programs. But we need your help to keep programs like Fresh Take and other FOG initiatives alive! Become a sponsor today! Your sponsorship is crucial for us to continue providing essential programs, including this podcast. Visit our sponsor page now to learn more and join our community of supporters. Together, we can make a significant impact!

Monday on AOA, powered by Cenex, we start the show talking about markets with Darin Newsom from Barchart in Segment One. Then we take a look at this week's weather forecast with DTN Meteorologist John Baranick in Segment Two. Next up, we talk ag issues from Capitol Hill with Senator Chuck Grassley (R-IA) in Segment Three. We close the show in Segment Four with an update from the National Farmers Union annual meeting in Oklahoma City, OK with FARM and American Ag Network's Corryn La Rue.

Brownfield's Jared White interviews National Farmers Union president Rob Larew at the 123rd National Farmers Union Convention in Oklahoma City, Oklahoma.See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

On this episode of Agriculture Today, we'll learn about the gameplan for USDA's high path avian influenza vaccine plan, risk management options for cattle producers, weather issues in South America and the U.S., and we'll join Brownfield's Jared White for a series of reports from the National Farmers Union Convention in Oklahoma City.See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

The NFU conference on 25th February saw 700 NFU members descend on London in a change to the usual Birmingham venue. The subject that dominated was predictably inheritance tax and feelings were high in the room when Secretary of State for Defra Steve Reed gave his speech. He announced lots of additional measures but it was inheritance tax that everyone was focussed on. In this episode we review the conference with beef and sheep farmer Rebecca Morgan who is also Chair of Ludlow NFU and is on the consultancy team for agri and rural PR and marketing agency Pinstone, and Cambridgeshire arable farmer Tom Martin. Meet the Farmers is produced by RuralPod Media, the only specialist rural podcast production agency. Please note that this podcast does not constitute advice. Our podcast disclaimer can be found here. About Ben and  RuralPod MediaBen Eagle is the founder and Head of Podcasts at RuralPod Media, a specialist rural podcast production agency. He is also a freelance rural affairs and agricultural journalist. You can find out more at ruralpodmedia.co.uk or benjamineagle.co.uk If you have a business interested in getting involved with podcasting check us out at RuralPod Media. We'd love to help you spread your message. Please subscribe to the show and leave us a review wherever you are listening. Follow us on social mediaInstagram @mtf_podcastTwitter @mtf_podcastWatch us on Youtube here

The re-introduction of inheritance tax on farm assets dominated this year's National Farmers Union Conference in London. The Union President told delegates farming is facing its biggest crisis of confidence in his lifetime. Facing a frosty reception, the DEFRA Secretary Steve Reed announced a new Farm Profitability Unit to be set up with the department, but told farmers he couldn't give them the answers they wanted on inheritance tax. Elsewhere, the conference focused on growth in agriculture - through investment, exports and tech. The Climate Change Committee has called for a transformation in agriculture in its latest report. The CCC advises the UK government on ways to reduce emissions in order to meet net zero by 2050. Its 7th report sets out a plan from 2038 to 2042, and recommends a 27% drop in the number of cattle and sheep, and that we all eat less meat.The government's allowing the re-introduction of beavers into the wild in England. Up until now they've only been allowed to be released into enclosures - though there have also been some illegal releases. Wildlife groups will need a licence and to get that they'll need a 10 year plan showing the impact beavers are expected to have. The National Farmers Union has argued that farmers should be able to kill beavers should they end up in the wrong place. Scientists at Scotland's Rural College have been feeding cattle an extract from daffodil bulbs to help reduce methane. The ground-breaking research aimed at reducing emissions is called "dancing with daffodils".We round off with a bit of tradition and competition. The European Ploughing Championships are being held in Nottinghamshire we catch up with a ploughing champion who's one of the organisers

The National Farmers Union says the government should use the 30-day pause on tariffs to protect Canadian farmers from the effects of U.S. tariffs on exports and retaliatory tariffs by Canada on imports. They say farmers are vulnerable because they produce for international and domestic markets - and they use imported equipment and inputs. We speak with Matthew Wiens, board member with the National Farmers Union. He farms with his family, and two other families, at Ploughshares Community Farm, near Beausejour, Manitoba.

National Farmers Union announced its support of the American Beef Labeling Act, which was introduced by Senators John Thune (R-SD) and Cory Booker (D-NJ). The legislation will codify mandatory country-of-origin labeling, or MCOOL, for beef sold in the U.S., distinguishing American-produced products in grocery stores.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Rod Larew, president of the National Farmers Union, says with ag workforce challenges on everybody's mind these days, H-2A reform is possible.

The National Farmers Union of Scotland Conference has been underway this week, and Kevin Keane is there, joined by Professor Colin Campbell from the James Hutton Institute, to hear his advice on how farms can become more resilient in the face of climate change.Muiravonside, Falkirk's only country park, features several attractions, from a sculpture and poetry trail to the Avon aqueduct. Rachel catches up with the park's ranger, Claire Martin, to hear about the history and appeal of the estate.Otters have been making a comeback along the Water of Leith, deep in the heart of Edinburgh. Rachel meets with Helen Brown from the Water of Leith Conservation Trust to hear about the lives of these metropolitan mammals.Sunset Song was written by Lewis Grassic Gibbon in 1932, and in 1971 was brought to TV screens across the UK by the BBC, in what is still claimed as one of the finest BBC dramas ever made. Mark learns about the history of the novel, and how the landscape of East Coast of Scotland, ahead of the re-release of the drama for the 90th Anniversary of the author's death.Phil heads out with the Highland VIP group in Inverness, who work to increase the mobility of visually impaired people by bringing them together with sighted volunteers to take part in walks and other outdoor activities.And the Turra Coo, the infamous symbol of a dispute between Turriff townspeople and the government over national insurance and rising taxes, received a shout out from the newly crowned BBC Radio Scotland's Young Traditional Musician of the Year, Ellie Beaton, at the competition's final last Sunday. Rachel heads to Turriff to hear all about the cow and her role in the protests.The River Tweed's salmon fishing has begun once again, and Mark heads down to see how the fish are faring at the beginning of this year's season.We also hear from Anne Woodcock about how important fishing is for the local communities on the banks of the Tweed, and the positive impact it can have on your mental and physical health.

Rod Larew, president of the National Farmers Union, says consolidation is impacting the farming community.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

In this episode of AgNet News Hour, hosts Sabrina Halvorson and Lorrie Boyer discuss the new tariffs imposed by President Trump on Canada, Mexico (now delayed until March), and China, and their potential impact on the agricultural sector. Featuring expert analysis from Fertilizer Market expert Josh Linville of StoneX, and reactions from various agricultural organizations, including the National Farmers Union, American Farm Bureau, and National Cattlemen's Beef Association, the discussion covers concerns around rising input costs, potential retaliatory tariffs, and the timeline challenges posed by the new tariffs. Additionally, an update on a new trade agreement between the USDA and Mexico regarding cattle imports is provided, offering a glimmer of hope for future negotiations.

Mark McAfee is a trailblazing leader in the raw dairy industry, celebrated for his decades-long contributions to public health, agriculture, and food safety. A Fresno County, California, resident, Mark is the founder and CEO of Raw Farm Dairy, the world's largest brand of raw milk, offering a range of raw dairy products sold in over 500 stores in California and internationally. As a fifth-generation farmer, Mark has revolutionized the raw milk industry by pioneering cutting-edge food safety practices, including the Test & Hold program using BAX PCR technology to ensure pathogen-free products.With a strong educational foundation in pre-medical studies and emergency medical services, Mark served as a paramedic for 16 years, responding to over 15,000 emergency calls and earning recognition as Fresno County Paramedic of the Year in 1994. His aviation expertise includes over 2,000 flight hours as a private pilot and mission pilot for Fresno LIGA's Flying Doctors, supporting clinics in Mexico.Mark's dedication to raw milk advocacy led him to establish the Raw Milk Institute (RAWMI) in 2011, where he has trained and mentored more than 800 dairy farmers globally and certified dozens of dairies in the U.S. and Canada. His work with RAWMI has been documented in peer-reviewed journals and recognized by institutions like the UK Food Standards Agency. A sought-after speaker, Mark has delivered keynote addresses at over 180 conferences worldwide, including universities such as UCLA, Stanford, and Rutgers.Beyond his professional achievements, Mark serves as Vice President of the California Dairy Campaign and California Farmers Union and is a delegate to the National Farmers Union. He has also been invited by the RFK transition team to advise the FDA on raw milk standards and policies.Mark and his wife, Blaine, a retired RN with a Master of Science in Nursing, have been married for 43 years and are proud parents to Aaron, Kaleigh, and six grandchildren. Together, they continue to operate Raw Farm as a thriving family business, ensuring its legacy as a cornerstone of the raw dairy movement.Sponsored by RogersHood.com and EpicNotes.ProSupport the showFor more Informed Dissent visit our website at Informed Dissent Media Follow us on Social media @InformedDissentMedia

Mark McAfee is a trailblazing leader in the raw dairy industry, celebrated for his decades-long contributions to public health, agriculture, and food safety. A Fresno County, California, resident, Mark is the founder and CEO of Raw Farm, the world's largest brand of raw milk, offering a range of raw dairy products sold in over 500 stores in California and internationally. As a fifth-generation farmer, Mark has revolutionized the raw milk industry by pioneering cutting-edge food safety practices, including the Test & Hold program using BAX PCR technology to ensure pathogen-free products.With a strong educational foundation in pre-medical studies and emergency medical services, Mark served as a paramedic for 16 years, responding to over 15,000 emergency calls and earning recognition as Fresno County Paramedic of the Year in 1994. His aviation expertise includes over 2,000 flight hours as a private pilot and mission pilot for Fresno LIGA's Flying Doctors, supporting clinics in Mexico.Mark's dedication to raw milk advocacy led him to establish the Raw Milk Institute (RAWMI) in 2011, where he has trained and mentored more than 800 dairy farmers globally and certified dozens of dairies in the U.S. and Canada. His work with RAWMI has been documented in peer-reviewed journals and recognized by institutions like the UK Food Standards Agency. A sought-after speaker, Mark has delivered keynote addresses at over 180 conferences worldwide, including universities such as UCLA, Stanford, and Rutgers.Beyond his professional achievements, Mark serves as Vice President of the California Dairy Campaign and California Farmers Union and is a delegate to the National Farmers Union. He has also been invited by the RFK transition team to advise the FDA on raw milk standards and policies.Mark and his wife, Blaine, a retired RN with a Master of Science in Nursing, have been married for 43 years and are proud parents to Aaron, Kaleigh, and six grandchildren. Together, they continue to operate Raw Farm as a thriving family business, ensuring its legacy as a cornerstone of the raw dairy movement.Sponsored by RogersHood.com and EpicNotes.ProSupport the showFor more Informed Dissent visit our website at Informed Dissent Media Follow us on Social media @InformedDissentMedia

The chancellor has 'refused to engage' over concerns about the proposed change to inheritance tax on farms - so says the president of the National Farmers Union who was appearing before MPs, just as hundreds of farmers drove their tractors into London to protest about the tax. Farmers gathered in central London and in towns and cities across the country in another protest about changes announced in the autumn budget. The House of Commons Environment Food and Rural Affairs Committee opened an inquiry to discuss inheritance tax as part of a wider look at the future of farming. Our topic this week is dairy farming and today we're looking at a disease which can decimate a dairy herd, TB. In almost 150 years of farming at Strickley, near Kendal, in Cumbria, the Robinson family's pedigree herd of organic dairy shorthorns has remained TB free. Until last October, that is, when a routine TB test returned the worst possible results. We hear how three generations of one farming family have dealt with their cattle's TB diagnosis and its aftermath.Presenter = Charlotte Smith Producer = Rebecca Rooney

Rob Larew, president of the National Farmers Union, says the trade imbalance for agriculture will draw much of the attention as we move into the new year.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

moderator Ron Hays, Radio Oklahoma Network Ethan Lane, National Cattlemen's Beef Association; Sam Kieffer, American Farm Bureau Federation; Rob Larew, National Farmers Union; Jon Doggett, Camas Creek LLC; John Newton, Terrain

Friday on AOA, powered by Cenex, we start the show and have a conversation about Farm Bill, elections, fair and competitive markets and Right to Repair with Rob Larew, President of National Farmers Union. In Segment Two, we get an update on recovery efforts for agriculture producers in Georgia after Hurricane Helene as Georgia Commissioner of Agriculture, Tyler Harper, joins the show for an update. In Segment Three, we take a look at the markets as we near the end of the month with Arlan Suderman, Chief Commodities Economist at StoneX. Then we close the show with a look at ag news headlines in Segment Four.  

Less than 5% of a £50 million fund promised to farmers who were hit by last winter's floods, has been paid out. The Farming Recovery Fund was set-up by the previous government to support farmers whose land had been damaged by floodwater during Storm Babet and Storm Henk. But figures revealed by a Freedom of Information request submitted by the Farmers Weekly show that, so far, just £2.1 million of it has been spent.A selective breeding trial on a sheep farm in Shropshire is hoping to reduce methane emissions from the animals by around 35 per cent within 5 years. Lambs taking part in the experiment are put into a metal box with a window - called a Portable Accumulation Chamber - so their emissions can be measured. Animals found to produce lower levels of methane are then selected for breeding programmes - in time reducing the emissions from the flock.The number of Seasonal Workers allowed visas to work in poultry and horticulture next year in England has been confirmed by DEFRA - 43,000 in horticulture and 2,000 for poultry. Although the announcement has been welcomed by the National Farmers Union, it's pressing for a permanent scheme which would run every year.And the Bison introduced into a woodland in Kent as a re-wilding project have had calves. But why are rangers are collecting their dung?Presented by Anna Hill Produced by Heather Simons

In October, 800 senior leaders and industry experts from the aviation and energy industries met in Houston, Texas to discuss how to decarbonize the aviation industry. The current plan is to switch the fuel supplies of the global jet fleet to agricultural feedstocks. Darrin Qualman of the National Farmers Union was at the conference to speak about the grave dangers that will pose to the planet's farmland base. Darrin Qualman is NFU Director of Climate Crisis Policy and Action.

Farmers in the Lake District have lost an estimated 10 million pounds in funding, in a year - and some are now under severe financial pressure. So says the National Farmers Union, which claims there are limited opportunities for upland farmers to tap into the Government's new ELMS - Environmental Land Management schemes - which are replacing the old EU system of farmer support in England. We visit one farmer who says he's been left in limbo.The new Government wants to build more one and a half million homes over the next 5 years as well as developing more solar farms, wind turbines and the pylons to transport the energy. For some, all that equals the industrialisation of the countryside and a threat to food security. But the Energy and Net Zero Secretary, Ed Miliband, pledged to take on what he called 'the blockers, the delayers, the obstructionists'. This week on Farming Today, we look at the changing rules around planning and what that means for people who live and work in the countryside.Presented by Charlotte Smith Produced by Heather Simons

This week's Open Mic guest is Rob Larew, President of the National Farmers Union. He says the ag economic climate is burdening farmers with high input costs and lower crop commodity prices and some may have difficulty obtaining financing next year. Larew talks about the importance of passing a new farm bill, expanding exports and securing an adequate workforce in county FSA offices.