In a YouTube video message to the nation Monday, President-elect Donald Trump outlined a list of executive actions he intends to make “on day one” of his administration and number one on that list is to get out of the TPP. “I am going to issue our notification of intend to withdraw from the Trans Pacific Partnership, a potential disaster …
Reaction to Election and Policy Priorities for NCGA
Much of the conversation during NAFB’s Trade Talk last week surrounded the industry’s response to the election of Donald Trump, and the National Corn Growers Association (NCGA) President Wesley Spurlock was on hand to discuss what this new administration will mean for NCGA and how the organization intends to move forward into the future. “It is great to have the …
Need More Corn Exports on Heels of USDA Crop Report
The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) has released its new corn forecast report and predicts that this year’s corn harvest will reach 15.057 bushels. Although this is down around 36 million bushels from last month’s estimates, it is still predicted to be another record crop. The World Agriculture Supply and Demand Estimates Report also lowered corn supplies for 2016/2017 from …
The Cuban Gold Rush
Few Americans can say they have stepped foot on Cuban soil. Even fewer can say they had the opportunity as a journalist and yet even fewer as an agricultural journalist. Luckily, I am one of those who can answer yes to all of the above. Thanks to the American Agricultural Editors’ Association (AAEA) and Alltech, I recently traveled to Cuba …
Ag Voices Urge TPP Passage
The National Corn Growers Association this week started delivering letters from over 6300 corn farmers from across the country to members of Congress urging them to take up and pass the Trans-Pacific Partnership agreement before the end of the year. “America’s farmers and ranchers need Congress to step up and pass TPP now,” said Chip Bowling, president of the National …
Cuba – Oh the Possibilities
Throughout my life I have viewed Cuba as a piece of history, a far off distant land. Today, the country is being discussed in every agricultural circle I come across. The possibilities of future trade with our neighbor creates great opportunities for American farmers and ranchers. The House Agriculture Committee held a hearing earlier this week exploring the benefits of …
The Global Value of US Soy
Our 300 international attendees were present for the 2016 U.S. Soy Global Trade Exchange held earlier this month in Indianapolis, offering soy growers from across the country the opportunity to engage with an international audience about the value of U.S. Soy. One attendee who utilized the opportunity to communicate with the international audience was Kevin Scott, a diversified corn and …
#USSoy – A People to People Business
A fifth generation farmer from North Dakota, Bob Metz, is proud to say all four of his children are all involved in production agriculture. Bob’s a soybean grower, current United Soybean Board Director and former U.S. Soybean Export Council member, who is truly passing on his passion and commitment to agriculture for generations to come. I met him at the …
US Challenges Chinese #Rice #Wheat #Corn Support
U.S. Trade Representative (USTR) Michael Froman, Agriculture Secretary Tom Vilsack, and a bipartisan group of federal lawmakers today announced the launch of trade enforcement action against China at the World Trade Organization (WTO). The action challenges China’s use of “market price support” for three key crops (rice, wheat, and corn) in excess of China’s commitments under WTO rules. “These programs …
Putting a Face on the American Soybean Farmer
Missouri soybean grower, Todd Gibson, has worn many leadership hats throughout the soy community at the state and national levels. His farm is located just east of Kansas City in the heart of Midwestern crop country. He was just elected to the U.S. Soybean Export Council (USSEC) board and shared more about his commitment to the industry during the 2016 …