Mexico is turning to the European Union and Latin America to offset any potential declines in U.S. pork imports. Mexico recently announced a 20 percent tariff on U.S. pork shoulders and legs starting next month in response to steel and aluminum tariffs placed on Mexico by the Trump administration. Mexican officials told Politico the nation will allow 350,000 tons of …
NFU, Canada Farmers Group, Make Joint Statement Supporting Trade
National Farmers Union (NFU) President Roger Johnson made a joint statement with the Canadian Federation of Agriculture supporting agricultural trade. The statement was prompted by President Trump’s lashing out against Canada over the weekend and early this week regarding dairy trade, and other issues included in the North American Free Trade Agreement renegotiation effort. Johnson, along with CFA President Ron …
USDA Lowers Corn, Soybeans, Projected Ending Stocks
The Department of Agriculture lowered 2017/2018 ending stocks for corn and soybeans in its latest monthly World Agriculture Supply and Demand Estimates. USDA reduced ending stocks for corn 105 million bushels to 1.57 billion bushels, which if reached, would be the lowest level since 2013/2014. The season-average farm price is raised ten cents at the midpoint with a range of …
U.S. Tractor, Combine Sales Up
U.S. tractor and combine sales increased last month, according to the latest monthly measure by the Association of Equipment Manufacturers. The association’s monthly report shows sales of all tractors in the U.S. during May increased 17 percent compared to the same month last year. For the five months in 2018, a total of 96,700 tractors were sold which compares to …
USDA Extends Application Deadline for Dairy Margin Protection Program to June 22
Re-enrollment Continues Through June 22, Dairy producers urged to act now U.S. Agriculture Secretary Sonny Perdue announced the re-enrollment deadline for the Margin Protection Program (MPP) for Dairy will be extended until June 22, 2018. The new and improved program protects participating dairy producers when the margin – the difference between the price of milk and feed costs – falls …
Fried Tries to Parlay Pot into Cabinet position
Nikki Fried has spent the past three years trying to tear down barriers to getting medical marijuana to Florida patients, facing roadblocks from state health officials and lawmakers in the process. Now, a frustrated Fried is turning her advocacy into a broader platform — she’s running for agriculture commissioner. It’s been no secret for some time among the state’s medical-marijuana …
Putnam Seeks Nominations for 2018 Woman of the Year in Agriculture
Florida Commissioner of Agriculture Adam H. Putnam is now accepting nominations for the 2018 “Woman of the Year in Agriculture” award, which recognizes women in all areas of the industry who have made outstanding contributions to Florida agriculture. The deadline for submitting nominations is July 31, 2018. Nominations may be submitted electronically by accessing the application located on the Woman …
NACD Reacts To Senate Ag Committee Farm Bill Draft
The National Association of Conservation Districts (NACD) sent a letter to the Senate Committee on Agriculture, Nutrition and Forestry outlining the organization’s reaction to The Agriculture Improvement Act of 2018 released on Friday. The letter applauds Chairman Pat Roberts (R-KS), Ranking Member Debbie Stabenow (D-MI) and members of the committee for the due diligence they demonstrated in drafting their version of the 2018 …
House Farm Bill Still Uncertain
Uncertainty remains regarding the House version of the farm bill, as the Senate will markup its version in committee this week. House Republicans are busy trying to craft an immigration agreement, which a group of legislators are demanding by blocking a vote on the farm bill, and previously helping to vote down the bill. House Agriculture Committee Chairman Mike Conaway …
Livestock Groups Happy with FMD Funding in Farm Bill
The Senate farm bill released last week includes language establishing a vaccine bank to deal with an outbreak of Foot-and-Mouth Disease, a priority for livestock groups. The House version of the bill includes FMD language, as well. National Pork Producers Council President Jim Heimerl called the language “encouraging,” adding that: “With a vaccine bank, we’ll finally be able to adequately …