Secretary Vilsack Regarding USMCA Dispute Settlement Consultations Request on Mexico’s Agricultural Biotechnology Measures

(USDA/WASHINGTON DC/June 2, 2023) — U.S. Secretary of Agriculture Tom Vilsack issued the following statement regarding today’s announcement by the Office of the U.S. Trade Representative (USTR) that the United States has requested dispute settlement consultations with Mexico under the United States-Mexico-Canada Agreement (USMCA). These consultations are in regard to Mexico’s agricultural biotechnology policies. “USDA supports success for all farmers, and that means …

Peterson Says Trade Only a Small Part of Farm Bill

by Sabrina Halvorson While trade is a major part of the success of American agriculture, former long-time Minnesota Congressman Collin Peterson speaking at the recent U.S. Meat Export Federation (USMEF) Spring Conference said trade is only a small part of the farm bill. “The trade things in the farm bill are minuscule. I mean, the MAP (Market Access) Program is …

Trade Mission Focuses on Opportunities in Japan

An upcoming trade mission looks to expand opportunities in Japan. That’s coming up on This Land of Ours. In just a few days, dozens of agriculture professionals and state ag leaders will head to Japan with USDA Under Secretary for Trade and Foreign Agricultural Affairs Alexis Taylor. Japan is the fourth-largest market for U.S. food and agricultural exports. In 2022, …

Former Mexico Trade Negotiator on USMCA Specialty Crop Protections

by Sabrina Halvorson As U.S. lawmakers consider ways to prevent Mexico’s seasonal produce from flooding U.S. markets, Mexican trade officials are watching. Former Chief Trade Negotiator for Mexico and current partner at AGON, Kenneth Smith Ramos says the U.S. must remember to remain within the confines of the U.S-Mexico-Canada Trade Agreement (USMCA) as it looks at ways to protect domestic …

Weather Continues Its Effect on the Grain Trade

Weather continues to effect the grain trade. Mark Oppold has details. Sponsored ContentCIR Agriculture Harvester ProductsJuly 1, 2026FL Cattle Enhancement Board Wraps up Funding YearJune 30, 2026Florida Cattle Enhancement Board Awarded Researcher Discusses New World Screwworm OverviewJune 19, 2026Verdant Robotics Offers Growers Targeted Application of Herbicides or Beneficials through SharpShooter™June 16, 2026

No Surprises in the Cotton Trade

Tracking cotton futures, Mark Oppold notes there are no big surprises with what has been transpiring as of late. Sponsored ContentCIR Agriculture Harvester ProductsJuly 1, 2026FL Cattle Enhancement Board Wraps up Funding YearJune 30, 2026Florida Cattle Enhancement Board Awarded Researcher Discusses New World Screwworm OverviewJune 19, 2026Verdant Robotics Offers Growers Targeted Application of Herbicides or Beneficials through SharpShooter™June 16, 2026

Interesting Week in the Grain Trade

This could be an interesting week in the grain trade. Mark Oppold explains how and why, and also notes a big report comes out later this week. Sponsored ContentCIR Agriculture Harvester ProductsJuly 1, 2026FL Cattle Enhancement Board Wraps up Funding YearJune 30, 2026Florida Cattle Enhancement Board Awarded Researcher Discusses New World Screwworm OverviewJune 19, 2026Verdant Robotics Offers Growers Targeted Application …

March Pork Exports Strong, Beef Shows Signs of Rebound

According to new data released by USDA and compiled by the U.S. Meat Export Federation (USMEF), March exports of U.S. pork were the largest since May 2021. And while below last year’s high volume, March beef exports were the largest since October. March pork exports totaled 260,195 metric tons (mt), up 17% year-over-year and the ninth largest volume on record. Export value …

International Trade: Why It’s Important to U.S. Pork Producers

May is World Trade Month, and in honor of that, the National Pork Producers Council (NPPC) is highlighting the important role international trade plays for U.S. pork farmers and the U.S. economy. “U.S. pork farmers have built a global reputation for providing domestic and foreign markets with high-quality, safe, and affordable pork products,” said Lori Stevermer, NPPC’s President-elect and pork producer from …