Fall harvest is a season in which farmers are trying to get as much done as they can as fast as possible no matter what time of day it is. It’s a critical period for a farmer’s bottom line. The University of Minnesota says it’s an important for farmers to be safe during the scramble of harvest. Michael Cruse is …
Trade Mission to Brazil Affect Ethanol Import Tariff?
An ethanol industry official hopes this week’s USDA-led trade mission to Brazil will convince the country’s leaders to reverse a renewed tariff on ethanol imports. Growth Energy’s Chris Bliley does not see the Brazil trip with leaders from two-dozen agribusinesses and trade groups as rewarding Brazil for its renewed 20-percent tariff on imported ethanol. Key players in the ethanol industry, …
New Zealand Triples U.S. DDGS Purchases
Record milk production in New Zealand has led the nation to triple the amount of imported U.S. distiller’s dried grains with solubles. The U.S. Grains Council reports that the 2017 milk supply in New Zealand is expected to reach 21.9 million tons, surpassing the prior record of 2014, thanks to higher-expected cow numbers and optimal pasture conditions. With the further …
Rural Mainstreet Index Lower
The Rural Mainstreet Index fell to its lowest level of the year last month as farmland prices declined and agriculture equipment sales were dismal. The index, compiled by Nebraska’s Creighton University, surveys bank CEO’s in ten Midwestern states. Overall, the index, which ranges between 0 and 100, slumped to 39.6, its lowest level since December 2016, and down from 42.2 …
Trade Officials Talks KORUS
Trade leaders from South Korea and the United States met for the first time last week to discuss the U.S.-Korea Free Trade Agreement. The Trump administration has targeted the free trade agreement for renegotiation, or even termination. A South Korea-based news agency reports U.S. Trade Representative Robert Lighthizer met with South Korea’s Trade Minister to “discuss ways to move forward” …
Froman Says NAFTA Withdraw a Very Real Prospect
Former U.S. Trade Representative during the Obama administration Michael Froman says a U.S. withdrawal from the North American Free Trade Agreement is still “a very real prospect.” Froman spoke last week in Washington, D.C. at an event hosted by the University of California. Politico reports Froman said: “There certainly is a desire by the president to withdraw from something, and …
USDA/NIFA Announces Funding to Grow the Bioeconomy
The U.S. Department of Agriculture’s (USDA) National Institute of Food and Agriculture (NIFA) announced six grants totaling nearly $21.1 million to support the development of new jet fuel, biobased products and biomaterials from renewable sources. Funding is made through NIFA’s Agriculture and Food Research Initiative (AFRI), authorized by the 2014 Farm Bill. “Our nation has made great strides in promoting the …
Margin Protection Crop Insurance Decision Due
Farmers have until the end of this month to decide if they’d like to take USDA’s new Margin Protection Crop Insurance plan. Known as M-P, the program most closely aligns with the current A-R-P, or Area Revenue Protection, crop insurance plan. University of Illinois Agricultural Economist Gary Schnitkey says while there is difference the one of note is the price …
USDA Approves D-SNAP for Florida Disaster Counties
Floridians struggling with the after-effects of Hurricane Irma could be eligible for help buying food through USDA’s Disaster Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (D-SNAP), the U.S. Department of Agriculture announced. Agriculture Secretary Sonny Perdue said that households who may not normally be eligible under regular SNAP rules may qualify for D-SNAP — if their income is under the disaster limits and they …
Deadline for WOTUS Rule Repeal Comments September 27
Landowners are being reminded the deadline to make comments on the Waters of the U.S. (WOTUS) rule repeal effort is Wednesday, September 27. The Environmental Protection Agency, along with the Army Corps of Engineers, will accept comment through that date. The EPA formally proposed to repeal the rule in late June, and the Trump administration plans to separately write a …