The June USDA quarterly hog and pigs report showed an expanding U.S. swine herd. As of June 1st, there were 71.7 million hogs and pigs on American farms, up three percent from June of 2016 and the second largest inventory on record ever. National Hog Farmer Dot Com says the industry is in a growth mode, with the question now …
Groups Celebrate First U.S. Beef to China
In a historic ceremony on Friday, the National Cattlemen’s Beef Association (NCBA) helped welcome the first shipments of American-produced beef into China since 2003. NCBA President Craig Uden joined Ag Secretary Sonny Perdue, U.S. Ambassador Terry Branstad, and Chinese officials at the ceremony in Beijing. The highlight came when Uden and Perdue participated in a “joint cutting of the prime …
Farm Groups Have Their Say at NAFTA Hearings
Farm groups and Ag organizations spoke their mind during hearings before the International Trade Commission on the upcoming North American Free Trade Agreement negotiations. While they all had different messages, Politico’s Morning Agriculture Report said the overriding theme was a simple one: don’t harm agricultural exports. Each speaker pushed for benefits favorable to their groups while trying to hold onto …
In China, Perdue Welcomes U.S. Beef back to Market
Slices Ceremonial Prime Rib, Meets with Chinese Officials in Beijing U.S. Secretary of Agriculture Sonny Perdue joined with U.S. Ambassador to China Terry Branstad to slice a Nebraska prime rib in a Beijing ceremony, formally marking the return of U.S. beef to the Chinese market after a 13-year hiatus. Perdue celebrated the reintroduction of American beef products to China after …
Two Counties in Georgia Designated as Primary Natural Disaster Areas
In response to a request from Dianne Westmoreland, Farm Service Agency’s (FSA) Acting State Executive Director in Georgia, the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) has designated Burke and Wilcox counties in Georgia as primary natural disaster areas due to losses and damages caused by freeze that occurred from March 15, 2017, through March 17, 2017. Farmers and ranchers in the …
Ag Terrorism Act Arrives at President Trumps Desk
The Securing our Agriculture and Food Act recently passed through both the Senate and House of Representatives in a bipartisan fashion. It now awaits the final approval of President Trump. A Bovine Vet Online Dot Com article says the language in the bill helps to clarify what the role of the Department of Homeland Security is as it works with …
Better Beef Access in China Will Take Time
The U.S. beef industry was understandably excited when China agreed to resume importing product from the U.S. An Ag Web Dot Com article notes that supplies eligible for exports remain few and far between. Derrell Peel, an Ag Economist at Oklahoma State University, says it’s a long-term project to build up beef export numbers to China. “There are some restrictions …
European Union Close to Trade Deal with Japan
The European Union and Japanese officials both say they’re close to signing what would be a major free trade deal, which could potentially jump-start other free trade deals. A European Union negotiator says a deal between the two would let the rest of the world know that two of the largest economies are resisting protectionism in favor of openness and …
Senators Want Ag Focus in NAFTA Talks
The Office of the U.S. Trade Representative wrapped up public comment hearings this week on the upcoming North American Free Trade Agreement negotiations. Ag groups representing American farmers and ranchers had a chance to weigh in on what they’d like to see in the talks. A group of Senators also weighed in on what they’d like to see emphasized in …
Georgia Cotton Commission Approves Budget, Davis Elected Chairman
At its June 28th meeting, the Georgia Cotton Commission approved its budget for the fiscal year 2018 (FY18) that starts July 1st. Along with supporting cotton industry organizations such as the National Cotton Council and Southern Cotton Growers, the FY18 budget includes $645,000 for cotton research. These research projects cover all aspects of cotton production including cotton breeding, variety testing, …