cuba

**Senate lawmakers are considering the sale of higher blends of ethanol year-round, a move both praised and opposed by parties in the renewable fuels argument. The legislation being examined by the Senate Environment and Public Works Committee is the Consumer and Fuel Retailer Choice Act which would allow the sale of gas with higher blends of ethanol during the summer by amending the Clean Air Act

The president of an advocacy group lobbying to end the embargo on Cuba says he’s optimistic about working with the Trump administration. James Williams with Engage Cuba says the President-elect was elected by Rural Americans, many of whom have strong ties to the agricultural community...

HAVANA (AP) -- Former President Fidel Castro, who led a rebel army to improbable victory in Cuba, embraced Soviet-style communism and defied the power of 10 U.S. presidents during his half-century rule, has died at age 90. With a shaking voice, President Raul Castro said on state television that his older brother died at 10:29 p...

An agriculture delegation from Cuba toured American agriculture. Hosted by the U.S. Grains Council, the delegation was brought to the U.S. to learn about U.S. grain production and exporting systems and see the advantages of purchasing U.S. products...

HAVANA (AP) — The Rolling Stones have arrived in Cuba on the eve of the rock band's historic free concert in a country where its music was once silenced. Friday night's concert comes three days after President Barack Obama wrapped up a visit to the communist-run island during which he declared an end to the last remnant of the Cold War in the Americas. ...

Leaders from across the U.S. agriculture and food sectors are expressing support and optimism in new opportunities for collaboration with their Cuban counterparts. Ag Secretary Tom Vilsack announced that Research and Promotion Programs and Marketing Order organizations may conduct research and information sharing with Cuba...

Ag Secretary Tom Vilsack says checkoff groups can promote U.S. agriculture in Cuba. While in Cuba with President Obama, Secretary Vilsack announced USDA will allow the 22 industry-funded Research and Promotion Programs and 18 Marketing Order organizations to conduct authorized research and information exchange activities with Cuba...

The Senate may be settling for pushing through a mandatory GMO labeling bill, but in the form of “mandatory disclosure.” An industry lobbyist says that Senate Agriculture Leaders are moving towards a proposal favored by USDA Secretary Tom Vilsack, requiring the use of “smart labels” and banning state labeling laws...

At last week’s Commodity Classic, the U.S. Agriculture Coalition for Cuba called on Congress to remove trade barriers with Cuba. The coalition says by doing so; agriculture could capture sales in the country just 90 miles off the U.S. shores...

The Budget proposal released by the White House Tuesday includes a cut to crop insurance. The budget request to Congress calls for a ten-year, $18 billion cut to the federal crop insurance program. The request comes after Congress rejected a $3 billion cut to crop insurance late last year after initially approving the cuts as part of a budget deal at the time...