(NAFB) — The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) projects the fiscal year 2019 U.S. agricultural trade balance to fall to $5.2 billion. USDA’s Economic Research Service projects exports at $134.5 billion and imports at $129.3 billion, leaving a $5.2 billion surplus, the lowest since fiscal year 2006. Unlike overall U.S. trade in goods and services, U.S. trade in the agricultural …
2019 Trade Aid May Violate WTO Commitments
(NAFB) — A recent independent report suggests U.S. trade aid in 2019 for farmers may surpass limits set in World Trade Organization commitments. The report for the American Enterprise Institute by Joe Glauber, a former Department of Agriculture Chief Economist, suggests the size of payments made to producers in 2019 may encourage other WTO members to challenge the payments. Glauber …
Deere Reports 2019 Sales Increase
(NAFB) — Deere & Company reports worldwide net sales and revenues increased five percent in both the fourth quarter and full year of 2019 to $9.8 billion and $39.2 billion. Deere reported fourth-quarter net income of $722 million, compared with net income of $785 million, in 2018. Agriculture and Turf sales increased for the quarter and full year of 2019 …
USDA ERS: Potatoes Top U.S. Vegetable Consumption
(NAFB) — Potatoes rank number one among vegetables in terms of consumption, according to Department of Agriculture data. USDA’s Economic Research Service says that in 2017, 49.2 pounds of fresh and processed potatoes per person were available for Americans to eat after adjusting for losses. The loss-adjusted food availability data series takes per capita supplies of food available for human …
USDA Begins 2019 Organic Survey
(NAFB) — The Department of Agriculture’s National Agricultural Statistics Service (USDA/NASS) will mail letters with survey codes this December to more than 22,000 organic producers. Specifically, the surveys target producers involved in certified or transitioning to certified organic farming for the 2019 Organic Survey. Each producer who self-reported organic farming in the 2017 Census of Agriculture will receive a unique …
Farmers Receive 12 Cents of the Thanksgiving Food Dollar
(NAFB) — Farmers and ranchers take home just 12.1 cents from every dollar that consumers spend on their Thanksgiving dinner meals, according to the National Farmers Union. NFU’s annual Farmer’s Share publication compares the retail food price of traditional holiday dinner items to the amount the farmer receives for each item they grow or raise. On average, farmers receive 14.6 …
Georgia Agencies Partner to Host Feral Swine Workshops
Feral swine have become increasingly detrimental in Georgia, causing significant damage to agricultural crops and natural resources around the state. The economic impact of damage caused by feral swine in Georgia last year is estimated at $150 million. So a group of agricultural and natural resource organizations, including the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s Natural Resources Conservation Service and the Georgia Association of …
Thanks to Farmers for Voluntary Conservation
In this season of giving thanks, USDA’s Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS) is grateful to their most important partners in implementing conservation, our farmers. And they are promoting this through #OurFarmers. NRCS is about supporting America’s farmers, ranchers, and forest land managers, both helping them better manage their operations while conserving natural resources. Throughout the year, NRCS highlights stories of …
“Phase Two” U.S. and China Agreement not Imminent
(NAFB) — U.S. and Beijing officials, lawyers, and other trade experts all tell Reuters that a “phase two” trade deal between the U.S. and China is nowhere near imminent. The two largest economies in the world are still having trouble getting the phase one deal signed. Back in October, U.S. President Trump said he expects to quickly start on phase …
New Motor Oil Made with High Oleic Soybean Oil Now Available
(NAFB) — America’s drivers have a new choice that unites performance and sustainability at a competitive cost, according to the United Soybean Board. Biosynthetic® Technologies’ biobased synthetic motor oil, using high oleic soybean oil from U.S. soybeans, is now on commercial shelves. USB Director Mike Korth, a Nebraska Farmer, says, “Soy-based motor oil is another great opportunity to drive demand …