Following years of decline, net farm income in 2017 for the U.S. farm sector as a whole is forecast to be relatively unchanged at $63.2 billion in inflation-adjusted terms. The figure is up about one half billion dollars, or .8 percent. Meanwhile, inflation-adjusted U.S. net cash farm income is forecast to rise almost $2.0 billion, 2.1 percent, to $96.9 billion. …
Crawford Renews Calls to Open Ag Trade with Cuba
Arkansas Representative Rick Crawford is renewing his call to open agricultural trade with Cuba. The Republican says his proposal is an alternative to repealing the Cuban trade embargo, allowing the U.S. to tap into Cuba’s $2 billion agricultural market, according to Politico. Crawford first proposed the bill in January that would cut back restrictions on U.S. financing for agriculture exports, …
South Korea To Hold KORUS Public Hearing
South Korea will hold a second public meeting regarding the U.S.-Korea Free Trade Agreement, known as KORUS. The meeting was announced after the first public meeting was disrupted by angry farmers and livestock breeders, according to the Korea Herald, a Korea-based newspaper. The second public hearing taking place Friday (today) allows Policymakers, trade experts and citizens to take part in …
Ontario Proposes 10 Percent Ethanol Mandate
The government of Ontario is proposing changes to biofuels regulations, including increasing the current five percent ethanol mandate to ten percent in 2020. Advanced Biofuels Canada notes that a 10 percent ethanol mandate is likely to see sales of E15 and higher blends to meet the new average. The organization says the proposal will create expanded job and growth opportunities …
Growth Energy Applauds EPA RVO Announcement
Growth Energy called Thursday’s volume obligation announcement for the 2018 Renewable Fuel Standard a move that gives the biofuels industry much needed certainty. The announcement by the Environmental Protection Agency upholds the statutory targets for conventional biofuels. Growth Energy CEO Emily Skor applauded the announcement. Announcement The total renewable fuel volume is 19.29 billion gallons, which includes 15 billion gallons …
RFS Volumes Again Fail to Capture Biodiesel’s Potential
The American Soybean Association (ASA) calls the final biodiesel and advanced biofuels volumes released by the Environmental Protection Agency another example of a missed opportunity to capture the full potential and value of biodiesel. In the rule, EPA calls for biomass-based diesel volumes within the Renewable Fuel Standard of 2.1 billion gallons for 2019, the same level established for 2018, …
EPA Finalizes RFS Volumes for 2018 and Biomass-Based Diesel Volumes for 2019
The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) finalized a rule that establishes the required renewable fuel volumes under the Renewable Fuels Standard (RFS) program for 2018, and biomass-based diesel for 2019. “Maintaining the renewable fuel standard at current levels ensures stability in the marketplace and follows through with my commitment to meet the statutory deadlines and lead the Agency by upholding …
NCGA Statement on EPA’s Final 2018 Renewable Volume Obligation
The following is a statement from North Dakota farmer Kevin Skunes, president of the National Corn Growers Association (NCGA), in response to the announcement by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) of the final 2018 Renewable Volume Obligation (RVO) under the Renewable Fuel Standard (RFS). “NCGA is pleased to see the EPA meet the Administration’s commitment to keep the RFS on track when it comes …
EPA Releases ‘18 Ethanol Volumes at Maximum levels; Chicken Producers Cry Foul
Agency keeps pumping corn ethanol into a saturated fuel market The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) announced that it is mandating the statutory maximum 15 billion gallons of ethanol be added to the domestic fuel supply in 2018, the second consecutive year EPA has mandated the maximum amount of ethanol allowed under the Renewable Fuel Standard (RFS). The currently mandated …
Ag Economist: Farming Preparing for Financial Winter
If you’re not happy with the weather, wait a little while and things will change. That phrase works not only for the weather, but the overall ag economy. Ag economist and financial analyst Dr. Dave Kohl recently spoke at the 2017 Ag Bankers Conference in Wisconsin. He said the ag economy runs through four seasons. He also said the current …