The European Union is setting up potential reasons to reject Bayer AG’s takeover of Monsanto. This week, the EU is expected to send Bayer a so-called statement of objections that list potential reasons for the EU to block the $66 billion proposal. Bloomberg News reports regulators are looking “very carefully” at the competition issues in the combination of Bayer and …
Wool Exports Increase 24 Percent
Wool exports increased 24 percent during the 2017 marketing year. Exports of U.S. wool increased 8.64 million lbs. to total more than 25 million lbs. for the year. The American Sheep Industry Association says work in conjunction with the Department of Agriculture’s Foreign Agricultural Service has been “vital in the expansion of American wool exports.” China remains the top export …
Record Number of Soybean Processing Facilities Under Construction
As global demand for soybeans increase, so does the need for soy processing facilities. Reuters points out that U.S. agricultural cooperatives are building new soybean crushing plants at the fastest rate in two decades. That comes as U.S. farmers again are predicted to plant a record number of soybean acres next year. U.S. processors are expected to open plants with …
Pilot Program Gives Canada Beef and Pork Exports Expanded Access to China
A pilot program is allowing exporters of Canadian beef and pork expanded access to China. The bilateral pilot project announced Monday will expand access to China for Canadian chilled beef and pork, and commit China and Canada to “fully implementing” an agreement reached last year to expand market access for Canadian frozen bone-in beef, according to AgCanada. Canadian beef exports …
Farm Bill Coming Early Next Year
House Agriculture Committee leadership says the 2018 farm bill should be ready to move in the first quarter of next year. House Agriculture Committee Ranking Member Collin Peterson told the Red River Farm Network that markup on the bill will begin at the end of January, or the first part of February. A spokesperson for Committee Chairman Mike Conaway could …
Corn Market May Need Disruption
A banking official from Nebraska says the market may need “some disruption in production,” to reach higher prices for corn. Tom Jensen of First National Bank of Omaha told the Omaha-World Herald there is nothing on the horizon to increase corn prices, unless something disrupts the market. A disruption of the corn market means, generally, some form of natural disaster, …
Regional Cattle Adaptability
Innovative science and genomic technology is driving progress when it comes to regional adaptation of beef cattle. Jared Decker with the University of Missouri is involved in a comprehensive study, funded by a USDA grant, that seeks to improve regional adaptability of cattle. Adaptability Ultimately, Decker hopes to give producers the genomic tools to match cattle genetics with a specific …
Pork Checkoff Invests in Consumer Research
Each year, the Pork Checkoff invests in consumer research. National Pork Board CEO Bill Even says the latest study offered unique insight into what happens at the meat case. Consumers Secondly, consumers have been confused with the names used for pork cuts. Cuts There is a rule of thumb for any business—ignore the customer at your own peril. Customers For …
Fox Squirrels – Denizens of the Longleaf Forest
Recently, I was touring a friend’s property in the Florida sandhills through beautiful older longleaf pines, with an open understory that is regularly burned. As we came around the corner, two fox squirrels bounded towards the nearest large pine. In a minute, both had found a tree they liked and were gone from sight. I don’t know about you, but …
Peanut Industry Hosts Reception for Congressional Peanut Caucus Members
Congresswoman Roby and Congressman Bishop co-chair Peanut Caucus The Southern Peanut Farmers Federation, American Peanut Shellers Association and National Peanut Buying Points Association joined together to recognize members of the Congressional Peanut Caucus at a reception Dec. 5, 2017, in Washington, D.C. United States Congresswoman Martha Roby, R-Alabama, and Congressman Sanford Bishop, D-Georgia, serve as co-chairs of the Congressional Peanut …