A trade official from Mexico is hopeful to bring Canada back into the North American Free Trade Agreement talks to reach a three-way agreement, as early as next week. The comments come as the U.S. and Mexico were close to a “handshake” agreement Thursday, helping calm some anxieties for agriculture amidst the global trade turmoil. Politico reports that the top …
China, U.S. Trade War Deepens with More Tariffs
The U.S. and China began rolling out more tariffs against each other this week as part of the tit-for-tat trade war between the two nations. The U.S. will collect an additional 25 percent in duties on Chinese imports ranging from motorcycles to steam turbines and railway cars, and the Chinese retaliation will see a similarly sized tax on items including …
8,000 Glyphosate Lawsuits Await Bayer
The California verdict against Monsanto has opened the door for what is estimated as 8,000 lawsuits against Monsanto, now being absorbed by Bayer. On a call with analysts and reporters, Bayer CEO Werner Baumann said the number of plaintiffs in both state and federal litigation was approximately 8,000 as of the end of July. Bayer acquired Monsanto in June and …
Brazil to Plant Record Soy Crop for 2018/19
Farmers from Brazil are expected to plant another record soybean crop. This would be the 12th consecutive year that Brazil plants a record land area of soybeans, amid strong demand from Asia. Reuters reports that Brazil is likely to expand the area to a record 36.28 million hectares, the equivalent to 89.65 million acres, this season, which farmers will start …
Cotton Board Publishes 2017 Annual Report
The Cotton Board 2017 Annual Report is now available online. To download the report, visit: http://www.cottonboard.org/about/annual-report/. The report offers a letter from Louisiana cotton producer, George LaCour Jr., who served as Cotton Board’s 2017 chairman. In LaCour’s letter he says, “The leadership of the Cotton Board and Cotton Incorporated used the several years of declining revenue to sharpen our strategic planning, …
USDA Expected to Announce Trade Relief Package Friday
The Department of Agriculture (USDA) is expected to release further details of its trade relief package Friday. The aid package previously announced by Agriculture Secretary Sonny Perdue will provide $12 billion in assistance to farmers hurt by President Trump’s trade agenda. Agri-Pulse reports that sources involved with the process say the payment rate for soybean farmers has been preliminarily proposed …
Mexico, U.S., Expected to Announce NAFTA Agreement Thursday
A handshake between Mexico and the United States is expected today (Thursday) on the North American Free Trade Agreement (NAFTA). Politico reports the Trump administration is planning to formally announce a breakthrough with Mexico on the talks, which could pave the way for Canada to resume negotiations with the United States. The announcement is “on the schedule,” however, plans can, …
Farm Bill Conference Meeting Date Set
The farm bill conference committee will meet September 5th, according to Senate Agriculture Committee Chairman Pat Roberts. Roberts will chair the farm bill conference. The conference is set for one day after lawmakers return from the Labor Day Recess. Roberts also says committee staff members have made progress on the differences in the two bills on conservation, but not on …
Canada Expecting High-Volume Crop Season
Just as the United States is expected to harvest a bumper crop, according to the latest Department of Agriculture numbers, Canada is expecting a high-volume harvest as well. CNS Canada reports Canadian grain companies are bracing for a high-volume year. Grain companies say this year’s overall crop to be roughly equivalent to those of the past two years, when shipping …
UGA Cotton/Peanut Research Field Day set for Sept. 5
The Georgia Cotton Commission, Georgia Peanut Commission and the University of Georgia (UGA) Extension Cotton and Peanut Teams, will co-sponsor a joint research field day on Wednesday, Sept. 5, 2018, in Tifton, Georgia. The field day will start at 8:00 a.m. at the University of Georgia Conference Center (15 RDC Rd., Tifton, Georgia) before relocating to the RDC Pivot and Ponder …