The average value of pastureland across America took a jump from last year. The average value is $1,350 per acre, up 1.5 percent from 2016. That value is a record-high since the U.S. Department of Agriculture first began keeping records. As a comparison, the average acre of cropland is worth $4,090, the same as in 2016. In different parts of …
Rabobank: U.S. Pork Industry Should Continue Growth
A new report from the RaboResearch Food and Agribusiness Group looks at the growth of the U.S. Pork industry and the factors that could influence continued growth. Rabobank analysis shows the pork sector could grow 11 percent between 2017 and 2025. That growth will be supported by increasing production efficiency and adding additional processing capacity. These are the two most …
Ag, Business Groups Hit Capitol Hill
As the fourth round of NAFTA talks continues, numerous agriculture and business groups are increasingly concerned about the future of the 23-year old agreement. Politico’s Morning Ag Report says a large group of organizations, including the American Farm Bureau, National Pork Producers Council, the Coalition of Services Industries, and many others hit Capitol Hill on Wednesday. The goal was to …
Perdue Says NAFTA Benefits Canada More Than U.S.
Ag Secretary Sonny Perdue talked with Fox Business about some of America’s grievances with Canada being outlined in the North American Free Trade Agreement (NAFTA) negotiations. Perdue says past trade deals lacked enforcement, so the president is sending a message to Mexico and Canada. “He’s serious about trade deficits,” Perdue says. “He’s serious about keeping jobs in the U.S.,” Perdue …
U.S. Offers Proposal That Could Kill NAFTA in 5 years
U.S. negotiators officially offered the “sunset clause” proposal on Wednesday during the North American Free Trade Agreement (NAFTA) negotiations. The sunset clause would bring NAFTA to an end after five years unless the three countries involved agree to extend it. Two people familiar with the talks told Bloomberg that the proposal was made to a smaller group of negotiators. The …
Scott, Cabinet Consider Okeechobee Land Deal
Gov. Rick Scott and the Florida Cabinet next week are slated to consider a $5.7 million deal that would help protect more than 2,500 acres of land in Okeechobee County. Under the proposed deal, the state would buy a conservation easement on property known as Corona Ranch. Conservation easements protect land from development, but owners typically can continue to use …
Budget Passage Critical for Tax Reform
The House has passed its budget bill, and the Senate has passed its version out of committee. The two chambers must come together to iron out the difference to provide tax relief to farmers and ranchers once the Senate bill moves forward. American Farm Bureau Federation congressional relations director RJ Karney says a budget must be finished to allow tax …
President Trump’s Pennsylvania Tax Reform Speech
This week President Donald Trump made a speech about his administration’s tax reform plan. He addressed truckers in Pennsylvania. Mr. Trump told the truckers his tax reforms will create American jobs by lowering taxes in several ways. The President also says it will be possible for most Americans to do their taxes on a single sheet of paper. The particulars …
Canada Expects NAFTA Completion on Time
While visiting Washington, D.C. this week, Canada Prime Minister Justin Trudeau says he believes the North American Free Trade Agreement (NAFTA) partners can reach an agreement, and on time. Trudeau visited with President Donald Trump in the White House, along with speaking with U.S. lawmakers on the House Ways and Means Committee. Even as Trump said while standing next to …
Perdue on President Trump’s Tax Reform Agenda
U.S. Secretary of Agriculture Sonny Perdue expressed strong support for the tax reform agenda championed by President Donald J. Trump, hailing it as a great benefit to American agricultural producers. President Trump highlighted the tax reform proposals in an event in Pennsylvania featuring truckers and representatives of the trucking industry. Perdue issued the following statement: “The President’s proposed tax cuts …