Local officials in Kansas have backed away from an incentives package to bring a Tyson Foods processing facility to the northeast corner of the state. The Leavenworth County, Kansas Commission, voted 2-1 to rescind a previous resolution in favor of issuing $500 million in industrial revenue bonds to help finance the project. The resolution would have made the project eligible …
Beef Cattle Contribute to Sustainable Food System
A recent study by the United Nations’ Food and Agriculture Organization says cattle raised for beef production play a key role in maintaining a sustainable food system. Meat industry publication Meatingplace reports that the research essentially counters claims that beef production consumes too much human-edible feed, finding that cattle are net contributors to the global protein supply, and concludes that …
Bayer Seeking EU Review of Monsanto Deal
Bayer has asked the European Commission to extend its review deadline on its planned takeover of Monsanto. The move by Bayer, according to company officials, seeks to allow more time for Bayer to finalize the agreement. Dow Jones reports that in late June, Bayer filed a submission to obtain antitrust approval for the deal from the European Commission. The Commission …
Ag Exports, Trade Surplus, See Increases
Data from the Department of Agriculture shows exports of farm goods will push higher in 2017. A forecast compiled by USDA predicts the value of agricultural exports in the fiscal year 2017 will hit nearly $140 billion, up $10 billion from the fiscal year 2016. With stronger exports and modest import increases in 2017, the U.S. will have an agricultural …
Lighthizer: NAFTA Negotiation at Warp Speed, May Not Be Successful
U.S. Trade Representative Robert Lighthizer said this week that negotiations on the North American Free Trade Agreement are moving at “warp speed,” but may lead to no agreement. Lighthizer said: “we don’t know whether we’re going to get to a conclusion. That’s the problem. We’re running very quickly somewhere.” Lighthizer says the U.S. would like to reach an agreement and …
Perdue Comments on Censky and McKinney Senate Committee Hearing
U.S. Secretary of Agriculture Sonny Perdue gave high marks to Steve Censky and Ted McKinney for their joint appearance before the Senate Committee on Agriculture, Nutrition, and Forestry. President Donald Trump has nominated Censky to service as Deputy Secretary of Agriculture, while McKinney is the president’s choice to be the very first Under Secretary for Trade and Foreign Agricultural Affairs. …
USDA Makes Disaster Resources Available to Rural Development Borrowers
The United States Department of Agriculture, Rural Development is providing tools and resources to help rural communities recover from the devastation brought by hurricanes Harvey and Irma, Agriculture Secretary Sonny Perdue highlighted. The emergency procedures will provide additional flexibility for Rural Development borrowers and community partners to help them recover as quickly as possible and ensure they have what they …
U.S. Cotton Sets Goals to Further Reduce Environmental Footprint
With the goal of helping its members meet their current needs while making the world a better place for future generations, the U.S. cotton industry is setting goals aimed to build upon the strong environmental gains already achieved over the past 30 years. “Our industry wants to be the supplier of choice for those who are committed to only buying …
Retail Meat Prices Slip Lower in August
Consumer prices for meat decline 0.4 percent in August, compared to figures compiled in July. A monthly report by the Bureau of Labor Statistics shows overall U.S. meat prices for consumers were lower on softer prices for beef roasts and ham. August prices fell 2.1 percent on beef roasts, 1.5 percent on beef steaks and 0.1 percent on ground beef. …
Lighthizer Presses Taiwan on Ag Trade Barriers
Trade Representative Robert Lighthizer highlighted the need to address trade barriers between the U.S. and Taiwan last week. During a meeting with Thailand’s Minister of Commerce, Lighthizer said Thailand needs to address the “longstanding trade barriers,” including those on U.S. meat and other agriculture exports, according to Politico. Total exports of U.S. agricultural products to Thailand totaled $1.6 billion in …