Exports are critically important to the swine industry. With large hog supplies, National Pork Board CEO Bill Even believes the significance of foreign demand will only grow. U.S. pork is known for its quality. Even as part of a National Pork Board trade mission to Japan and China. These markets are very different. The Japanese market is a …
Elevating Efficiency Is 2018 Beltwide Cotton Conferences’ Goal
The 2018 Beltwide Cotton Conferences (BWCC), set for January 3-5 at the Marriott Rivercenter in San Antonio, Texas, will provide insight on current research and emerging technology – to help attendees improve production, processing and marketing efficiency. The BWCC, coordinated by the National Cotton Council (NCC), annually brings together university and USDA researchers, Extension personnel/agents, consultants, and industry sales/support personnel. …
Brazil Almost Out of Soybeans for Exporting
As is usually the case, Brazil produced a large soybean crop this year. The country has been exporting a lot of soybeans but has reached the point at which they don’t have many soybeans left to ship. A new report says that Brazil hit a new soybean export record in September when they shipped 4.3 million tons. A spokeswoman from …
Farm Bill Opposition Groups Discuss Strategy
Agri-Pulse is reporting that groups covering all points on the political spectrum are getting together to discuss ways to attack the upcoming Farm Bill when the development process begins in Congress. Roughly two-dozen different groups sent representatives to Washington this week to hear a presentation from an economist and then discuss different messages they can take to Congress regarding changes …
American Dairy Industry Wants True Free-Trade with Canada
The fourth round of negotiations to redo the North American Free Trade Agreement take place next week in Washington. Jim Mulhern, CEO of the National Milk Producers Federation, says negotiators are planning to put forth proposals on dairy policy and other market access issues U.S. farmers have getting their product into Canada. Milk Business Dot Com says the Milk Producers …
Ag to Take Center Stage in Round Four of NAFTA Talks
Secretary of Agriculture Sonny Perdue talked on Wednesday about the North American Free Trade Agreement (NAFTA) negotiations, saying he’s “somewhat disappointed” with the pace of the talks. Politico’s Morning Ag Report says Perdue tried to offer hope to U.S. farmers by saying there’s a potential for serious agricultural discussions next week when Round Four gets underway. “Honestly, we’ve been somewhat …
RFA Thanks 38 Senators for Leadership
38 senators, led by Chuck Grassley (R-Iowa) and Amy Klobuchar (D-Minn.), sent a letter to EPA Administrator Scott Pruitt, urging him to implement a strong final 2018 Renewable Fuel Standard (RFS) rule that reflects Congressional intent to promote future biofuels growth. Renewable Fuels Association President and CEO Bob Dinneen offered the following statement: “We applaud the leadership of these lawmakers, …
Secretary Perdue Statement on Ibach & Northey Senate Committee Hearing
U.S. Secretary of Agriculture Sonny Perdue commended Greg Ibach and Bill Northey, two nominees for key posts at the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA), for their joint appearance before the Senate Committee on Agriculture, Nutrition, and Forestry. President Donald J. Trump nominated Ibach to serve as Under Secretary for Marketing and Regulatory Programs (MRP) and selected Northey for Under Secretary …
National Beef Quality Audit Shows Continued Progress
The U.S. beef industry, of which dairy cows comprise a significant portion, continues to improve the quality of its management practices, according to the 2016 National Beef Quality Audit (NBQA) commissioned by the Beef Quality Assurance (BQA) program. BQA and the National Dairy FARM Program shared the results at a news conference at the 51st World Dairy Expo in Madison, Wisc. …
Corn and Soybean Stocks Explored
Last week’s Grain Stocks report should reduce the ending stocks for both corn and soybeans this month. USDA’s quarterly grain stocks estimate suggests there are fewer bushels of corn and soybeans left over from last year than have been reported so far. University of Illinois Commodity Grain Markets Specialist Todd Hubbs says corn is off by 56 million bushels and …