ag lenders survey farm profitability

Ag Lender Survey: Farm Profitability Down, Commodity Prices Top Concern

Dan Economy, Industry News Release

ABA and Farmer Mac release first biannual survey of agricultural lenders Nearly 90 percent of agricultural lenders have seen an overall decline in farm profitability in the last 12 months, according to a joint survey by the American Bankers Association and the Federal Agricultural Mortgage Corporation (Farmer Mac; NYSE: AGM and AGM.A). The survey of more than 350 agricultural lenders …

dike repairs

Negron Water Priority Going to Governor

Dan Industry News Release, Water

by Jim Turner, The News Service of Florida Florida could bond up to $800 million — two-thirds the amount previously sought by the Senate — to speed construction of a reservoir intended to help clean South Florida waterways, under a compromise measure heading to Gov. Rick Scott. The governor’s office Tuesday noted his support for the water-storager plan on Tuesday, …

producer sentiment

Ag Producer Sentiment Inches Higher in April

Dan Economy, Industry News Release

By Jim Mintert, David Widmar and Michael Langemeier Purdue University/CME Group Producer sentiment inched higher during April as the Ag Economy Barometer increased to 130. The latest result for the Purdue/CME Group Ag Economy Barometer, which is based on a monthly survey of 400 U.S. agricultural producers, was slightly higher than March’s 124 reading, but still well below January’s peak …

2017 P.I.E. Program Tour Dates Set

Dan Cotton, Industry News Release

The National Cotton Council (NCC) has scheduled tour dates and locations for the 2017 Producer Information Exchange (P.I.E.) Program. The P.I.E. program’s goal is helping U.S. cotton producers maximize production efficiency and improve yields and fiber quality by: 1) gaining new perspectives in such fundamental practices as land preparation, planting, fertilization, pest control, irrigation and harvesting; and 2) observing diverse …

epa

Brazil Looking at Tariffs on U.S. Ethanol Imports

Dan Energy, Industry News Release

Reuters says the Brazilian Ag Minister is asking the country’s Foreign Trade Council to impose tariffs on U.S. ethanol imports after a recent surge in shipments coming in from America. The article says a move like that could potentially stir up trouble with the Trump administration, which is already looking at renegotiating the North American Free Trade Agreement. Brazil is …

nafta

Canada/Mexico Doing NAFTA Renegotiations “Together”

Dan Industry News Release, Trade

The relationship between Mexico and Canada amid the upcoming North American Free Trade (NAFTA) negotiations is said by both countries to be more important than ever. The Canadian Broadcasting Company website says Mexican President Enrique Pena (payn-ya’) Nieto (Knee-eht-oh) and Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau were both caught off guard by media reports saying U.S. President Donald Trump was readying …

groups

Groups Want Checkoff Reform

Dan Industry News Release

Over 80 organizations recently sent letters to both the Senate and House of Representatives, calling on lawmakers to fix the government’s “failed commodity tax support programs.” The 80 organizations represent over 250,000 farmers, ranchers, and businesses that want recently introduced legislation passed by both chambers and signed into law. The letters say the legislation would bring much-needed transparency and accountability …

peanut grower

New Spending Bill’s Impact on Agriculture

Dan Industry News Release

Congress put together a spending package on Sunday night that would keep the government running through the rest of fiscal year 2017. Politico’s Morning Agriculture Report says the bottom line for agriculture is Congress appropriated $153.4 billion in mandatory and discretionary spending levels at the U.S. Department of Agriculture and the Food and Drug Administration. That number is almost $13 …

putnam

Putnam, Graham Gear Up for Governor’s Race

Dan Industry News Release

By Dara Kam and Lloyd Dunkelberger The News Service of Florida Ending months of speculation, Florida Agriculture Commissioner Adam Putnam filed papers Monday to run for governor in 2018. The Republican’s entree into the race to succeed Gov. Rick Scott, forced to leave office next year because of term limits, was little more than a formality. Putnam, a former congressman …

dairy

Dairy Industry Applauds USDA Secretary Perdue for Supporting School Milk Options

Dan Dairy, Industry News Release

Dairy leaders thanked newly confirmed Agriculture Secretary Sonny Perdue for recognizing the important role school milk plays in ensuring school-aged children get the nutrition they need. In one of his first actions as Secretary of Agriculture, Perdue visited Catoctin Elementary School in Leesburg, Va., to announce that the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) will implement regulations to allow school districts …