Cotton Board Publishes 2017 Annual Report

The Cotton Board 2017 Annual Report is now available online. To download the report, visit: http://www.cottonboard.org/about/annual-report/. The report offers a letter from Louisiana cotton producer, George LaCour Jr., who served as Cotton Board’s 2017 chairman. In LaCour’s letter he says, “The leadership of the Cotton Board and Cotton Incorporated used the several years of declining revenue to sharpen our strategic planning, …

USDA Expected to Announce Trade Relief Package Friday

The Department of Agriculture (USDA) is expected to release further details of its trade relief package Friday. The aid package previously announced by Agriculture Secretary Sonny Perdue will provide $12 billion in assistance to farmers hurt by President Trump’s trade agenda. Agri-Pulse reports that sources involved with the process say the payment rate for soybean farmers has been preliminarily proposed …

Mexico, U.S., Expected to Announce NAFTA Agreement Thursday

A handshake between Mexico and the United States is expected today (Thursday) on the North American Free Trade Agreement (NAFTA). Politico reports the Trump administration is planning to formally announce a breakthrough with Mexico on the talks, which could pave the way for Canada to resume negotiations with the United States. The announcement is “on the schedule,” however, plans can, …

Farm Bill Conference Meeting Date Set

The farm bill conference committee will meet September 5th, according to Senate Agriculture Committee Chairman Pat Roberts. Roberts will chair the farm bill conference. The conference is set for one day after lawmakers return from the Labor Day Recess. Roberts also says committee staff members have made progress on the differences in the two bills on conservation, but not on …

Canada Expecting High-Volume Crop Season

Just as the United States is expected to harvest a bumper crop, according to the latest Department of Agriculture numbers, Canada is expecting a high-volume harvest as well. CNS Canada reports Canadian grain companies are bracing for a high-volume year. Grain companies say this year’s overall crop to be roughly equivalent to those of the past two years, when shipping …

Congressman Yoho on Longleaf Pine Initiative

Landowners across the Southeast are always encouraged to take part in the Longleaf Pine Initiative through USDA’s Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS). And during a recent interview with Southeast AgNet, U.S. Congressman and member of the House Agriculture Committee, Ted Yoho from Florida, talked about their efforts to include even more pine species in the initiative. Congressman Yoho on Longleaf …

Canadians Happy with Trudeau Handling of NAFTA

Canadians are supportive of Prime Minister Justin Trudeau’s handling of the North American Free Trade Agreement (NAFTA). Canada is expected to rejoin the talks this week, as the U.S. and Mexico are working to reach an agreement. Meanwhile, a Canadian public opinion research firm, says 56 percent of Canadians approve of Trudeau’s handling of the ongoing NAFTA talks, representing an …

China Hopeful for FTA with Canada

China is hopeful to create a free trade agreement (FTA) with Canada as tension with the United States grows. China’s ambassador to Canada this week says he hopes to make progress on a free-trade agreement with Canada and others, according to Canada-based Global News. The U.S. and China remain locked in a tit-for-tat trade war and China is seeking options …