Business, Farm, Union Groups React to Trump’s Tariffs

Reaction to the tariffs on steel and aluminum imports has been mixed among different sectors of the economy. The Hagstrom Report says Business Roundtable President and CEO Joshua Bolten calls the tariffs a major unforced error by President Trump that will put America’s economic progress at risk. He says, “The tariffs will cause significant harm to industries that rely on …

Mexico, Canada Don’t Want Tariff Exemptions Tied to NAFTA

Mexico and Canada were happy to hear about President’s Trump’s willingness to exclude them from tariffs on steel and aluminum exports to the U.S. However, they expect any talks about a possible permanent exemption to take place outside of the North American Free Trade Agreement negotiations. Politico quotes the Mexican Economy Ministry in a release that says, “The process of …

Cap on Conventional Ethanol RINs Will Reduce Biodiesel Market

A new analysis by the National Biodiesel Board (NBB) and the World Agricultural Economic and Environmental Services (WAEES) found that capping the price of conventional biofuels’ Renewable Identification Numbers (RINs) will significantly harm the production of biodiesel and related industries. Although some believe that limiting the price of RINs for the conventional biofuels market won’t harm biomass-based diesel volumes, the …

Lawmakers Funnel $100 Million to Florida Forever

Neglected for nearly a decade, the Florida Forever conservation program would get $100.8 million in a proposed $88.7 billion budget that lawmakers are expected to approve Sunday. Rep. Ben Albritton, a Wauchula Republican who chairs the House Agriculture & Natural Resources Appropriations Subcommittee, said most of the money would go for land preservation. “We started at a much lower number …

Florida Producers Can Renew Expiring CSP Contracts

Florida agricultural producers, with existing Conservation Stewardship Program (CSP) contracts that expire on December 31, 2018, are urged to renew those contracts. But the deadline to do so is April 13th. Florida Producers Can Renew Expiring CSP Contracts Sponsored ContentStrong Relationship Exists Between the Florida Cattle Enhancement Board and UF-IFASApril 17, 2026Florida Cattle Enhancement Board Provides Funding For Quicker Response …

USDA Report Indicates Increased Corn Demand

The Department of Agriculture (USDA) has increased corn demand in it’s latest forecast for the 2017-18 crop year. The monthly World Agriculture Supply and Demand report increased exports of corn by 175 million bushels to 2.2 billion bushels based on price competitiveness, and increased expected corn ethanol use by 50 million bushels to 5.5 billion bushels. The average price for …

TPP Leaves U.S. Behind

The 11 remaining Trans-Pacific Partnership (TPP) countries officially left the U.S. behind Thursday, signing an amended agreement that does not include the United States. The 11 nations signed what is now called the Comprehensive and Progressive Agreement for Trans-Pacific Partnership the same day the U.S. moved to a more trade protectionist status, rolling out tariffs for steel and aluminum imports. …

Canada Staying Calm and Constructive Amidst Trade Talks

As President Donald Trump has ratcheted up the conversation on trade, Canada is sticking to it’s “keep-calm” strategy. While the European Union immediately offered a list of targeted U.S. products in response to Trump’s tariff plan for steel and aluminum, Reuters says Canada is trying to stay constructive, and use negotiations for a better outcome. For now, the tariff plan …