The official position of the Environmental Protection Agency is that high-priced Renewable Identification Numbers do no significant harm to refiners. That position was made public most recently in November of last year. Grassley, along with a handful of other Senators, sent a letter to the EPA in January asking about the agency’s previous findings that RIN prices don’t affect the …
Ag Groups Concerned About Trade Retaliation
U.S. Wheat Associates and the National Association of Wheat Growers were both very disappointed in the Trump Administration’s decision to impose tariffs on steel and aluminum imports. A statement says they have repeatedly warned of the risks of retaliation and the precedent set by such a policy would have potentially serious consequences for agriculture. The groups say it’s disappointing that …
Perdue Reaffirms Support for Ethanol, RFS
Ag Secretary Sonny Perdue spoke at the Commodity Classic this week and defended his support for the Renewable Fuels Standard. A DTN report says that Perdue told farmers attending the event that President Trump unequivocally supports the RFS, corn farmers, and ethanol. The biofuel industry and corn farmers are concerned that the secretary doesn’t understand the importance of Renewable Identification …
Trump Will Impose New Tariffs on Steel and Aluminum
After hosting what the White House initially called a “listening” session, President Donald Trump took American investors by surprise Thursday. Trump announced to the group attending the meeting that he will be imposing the long-rumored steel and aluminum tariffs next week. A Zero Hedge Dot Com article says the president will impose a 25 percent tariff on steel imports and …
2018 Pig Farmers of Tomorrow Named
Recipients recognized as leaders of the next generation of American pig farmers The National Pork Board announced that Adam Krause from South Dakota and Emma Lasco and Christine Snowden, both from Iowa, have been named the 2018 Pig Farmers of Tomorrow. They were recognized today at the 2018 National Pork Industry Forum in Kansas City. “It is important for the …
UF/IFAS Research: Tiny Insect May Help Reduce Hydrilla Presence in Florida Waters
A tiny insect with a big appetite for hydrilla could help reduce the presence of this troublesome invasive water weed in lakes, springs and rivers, says an entomologist with the University of Florida Institute of Food and Agricultural Sciences. During National Invasive Species Awareness Week (Feb. 26 to March 2), researchers with UF/IFAS want to make residents aware of this …
Bayer-Monsanto Deal Should Close in the Second Quarter of 2018
Bayer AG CEO Werner Baumann says he’s confident they’ll win European Approval of their deal to acquire Monsanto. A Bloomberg report says he’s trying to win the approval of its $66 billion acquisition while contemplating the sale of more businesses. He says, without the Monsanto acquisition, Bayer sales and profits will grind to a halt this year. Company shares dropped …
USDA Projecting Strong Red Meat, Poultry Exports
In spite of a strong U.S. dollar, the USDA is projecting red meat and poultry exports= to rise steadily over the next decade. The trade website, Meating Place Dot Com, says steady global economic growth, especially in developing economies, will drive foreign demand from the U.S. market. After dropping in the early part of this decade, beef exports should begin …
Ag Committee Members Press USDA on Payments to Deceased Farmers
Senate Ag Committee members Chuck Grassley of Iowa and Debbie Stabenow of Michigan raised concerns with the USDA’s Farm Service Agency about farm program payments to deceased farmers. The Senators sent a letter to the agency, saying that they need to be careful stewards of taxpayer money and work to avoid wasteful payments. The letter says, “As we prepare to …
U.S. Ag Pays the Price for Trade Disputes
The Farmers for Free Trade Group released a report this week that highlights how American farmers and ranchers have paid the price in trade disputes. Consequences usually happen in the form of retaliatory tariffs. The report comes out as the Trump Administration makes a final decision on placing tariffs on steel and aluminum imports. That would be on top of …