Negotiators from Canada returned to Washington, D.C. Tuesday in an effort to reach a deal on the North American Free Trade Agreement (NAFTA). Canadian Foreign Minister Chrystia Freeland joined U.S. Trade Representative Robert Lighthizer as the U.S. looks to wrap up talks with Canada quickly. However, talks are not expected the rest of the week with a looming hurricane along …
Indonesia and Australia Commit to Trade Agreement
Indonesia and Australia last week concluded negotiations on the Indonesia-Australia Comprehensive Economic Partnership Agreement. The partnership deepens the trade ties between the countries, benefiting a multitude of industries, including agriculture. The National Pork Producers Council says the organization is pushing for full access to the Australian market, noting that pork is the largest U.S. agricultural export to Australia. However, NPPC …
2019 Farmland Rental Rates Expected Steady with 2018
Farmland rental rates are not expected to change much in 2019. A new forecast by Farmers National Company predicts cash rental rates for 2019 to stay the same as 2018, for the most part. The company notes that despite current low grain prices, many farmers had the opportunity to forward price corn and soybeans at similar or better prices than …
Hurricane Changes Fly-in Schedule for Ag Groups
Hurricane Florence is adding another wrinkle to the farm bill process as farmers are being asked to return home Wednesday (09.12.18) as part of the National Pork Producers Council legislative fly-in. Pork producers this week were there to talk trade, the farm bill and labor issues with lawmakers, according to the Hagstrom Report. NPPC also seeks “proper regulatory authority for …
National Dairy Council New Product Competition Underway
The National Dairy Council New Product Competition seeks the next dairy product from college students across the United States and Canada. The eighth annual competition is for students to develop a dairy or dairy-based product to “satisfy consumers’ desire for performance nutrition.” A judging panel consisting of experts from across the dairy industry will award $16,000 in cash prizes, with …
Key Week for Farm Bill
It’s a key week for the 2018 farm bill. House and Senate staff and principal negotiators are trying to bridge differences in time to pass a compromise bill back through both chambers and get it on the president’s desk by the end of the month, when the current law expires. Key Week for Farm Bill-1 Andrew Walmsley, American Farm Bureau …
Perdue Says NAFTA Must Include Dairy Fix
Agriculture Secretary Sonny Perdue says Canada must make changes to dairy trade with the United States as part of the North American Free Trade Agreement (NAFTA) negotiations. Speaking on C-SPAN, Perdue said U.S. farmers don’t have the same access to Canada that Canada has to the U.S., specifically referring the Class 7 dairy products in Canada. Perdue says: “Class 7 …
Senate Ag Leaders Question USDA Reorganization
Leaders of the Senate Agriculture Committee are expressing concerns over the Department of Agriculture’s reorganization plans. Senators Pat Roberts and Debbie Stabenow wrote Secretary Sonny Perdue recently, noting that stakeholders have expressed concerns over the USDA plan to place economics functions under the Office of the Secretary and to move most of the employees of the Economic Research Service and …
OTA Moving Forward with Voluntary Checkoff
The Organic Trade Association (OTA) is moving forward with plans to create a voluntary checkoff program. The Association says the program would provide industry-invested organic research, promotion and education check-off program that will be collaboratively designed and implemented by organic stakeholders across the organic supply chain. The trade association has formed a Steering Committee to coordinate and lead the efforts. …
National Farmers Union DC Fly-in This Week
National Farmers Union members head to Capitol Hill this week at a critical time for agriculture issues. NFU is hosting 350 farmers as part of a fly-in event. The farmers will meet face-to-face with top Trump administration officials and members of Congress. The fly-in kicks off Wednesday with an event at the Department of Agriculture. On Thursday and Friday, participants …