U.S. Secretary of Agriculture Sonny Perdue echoed President Donald J. Trump’s message that tax cuts and reforms are needed to increase American prosperity. The president delivered remarks with a “Bring Back Main Street” theme in St. Charles, Missouri, highlighting the need for tax relief to boost the economy, particularly in the heartland. Perdue issued the following statement: “The people of …
NCBA Membership Drive Encourages Commitment
The National Cattlemen’s Beef Association (NCBA) has helped the industry secure several wins in Washington, D.C., including against the “Waters of the United States” rule and the Bureau of Land Management’s Planning 2.0 rule. The NCBA also played a role in helping American beef exports to return to China. The organization is asking its members to help with recruiting new …
Canada Looking to Boost Pork Exports to China
A recent ten-day trade mission to China gave Canada an opportunity to showcase its pork products in a market of 1.3 billion people hungry for more pork. Farm Scape Dot Com says Federal Ag Trade Minister Lawrence McCauley led the mission, accompanied by multiple representatives of the Canadian pork industry, which stopped in three cities over the ten-day trip. Neil …
Brazil Company Expecting to Resume Exports to U.S. in 2018
The fourth-largest beef company in Brazil, Minerva SA, expects to resume exporting fresh beef to American in the first quarter of next year. A Reuters report says Minerva Chief Executive Fernando Galletti made the announcement to local media this week, saying he believes it because of his company’s communication with the government. Galletti says, “That’s the expectation we are hearing …
NAFTA Withdrawal Threat Already Affecting U.S. Trade
Even though the Trump Administration hasn’t followed through on a potential threat to withdraw from the North American Free Trade Agreement (NAFTA), the possibility is already affecting the U.S. Grain Trade. The fifth round of talks wrapped up last week in Mexico, with all sides promising to get the deal done “as soon as possible.” U.S Trade Representative Robert Lighthizer …
Trump Asks Roberts for Raincheck on NAFTA Discussion
President Trump took a trip to visit Republicans on Capitol Hill Tuesday with a focus on finding more votes for the tax-cut bill. However, Senate Ag Committee Chair Pat Roberts took the opportunity to bring up agricultural concern over the NAFTA negotiations. As the president walked out of the meeting, Politico says he asked Roberts, “How are your farmers?” Roberts …
Soybeans to Overtake Corn in 2019
The U.S. Department of Agriculture released a preview of its long-term planting projections Tuesday. The USDA considers a lot of factors when making the projections, including macroeconomic conditions, GDP growth, and farm policy. An important projection from the early release is the overall number of planted acres. Total planted acres for the eight principal crops and land in the Conservation …
Pig Farmers Pay it Forward
Throughout each year, pig farmers give back to their community. Pork Checkoff public relations manager Claire Masker says that is especially evident during this time of the year. Giving For the second straight year, the Pork Checkoff has organized the #HamsAcrossAmerica campaign. Campaign Earlier this week, the National Pork Board, the Iowa Pork Producers Association, Smithfield Foods and PrairieFresh Premium …
Canadian Dairy Program Beginning to Negatively Affect Other Countries
Dairy has been a major sticking point between the U.S. and Canada during the North American Free Trade Agreement negotiations. The issue may actually get worse as Canada is now sending subsidized milk powder to Mexico. Jaime Castaneda, senior vice president of strategic initiatives and trade with the National Milk Producers Federation says Canada is trying to have its cake …
NIFA Funds Food Safety and Nutrition to Promote Safe Food Supply
The U.S. Department of Agriculture’s (USDA) National Institute of Food and Agriculture (NIFA) announced support for research, education, and extension projects that promote a safe, nutritious food supply. The funding is made possible through NIFA’s Agriculture and Food Research Initiative (AFRI) program, authorized by the 2014 Farm Bill. “Each year, 1 in 6 Americans gets sick consuming contaminated foods or …