The 2022 Export Exchange welcomed hundreds of buyers and sellers of U.S. coarse grains and co-products to Minneapolis Wednesday evening for a reception prior to the official kickoff of the event Thursday. “It’s looking great,” said Chad Willis, a farmer from Minnesota and past chair of the U.S. Grains Council (USGC). “After COVID, everybody wanted to get out and be …
Mexican Ban on Biotech Corn Would Have Broad Impact
A coalition of food and agriculture industry stakeholders in both Mexico and the United States released a new study this week revealing the broad impacts of Mexico’s proposed ban on biotech corn. The report, which was conducted in September 2022 by World Perspectives Inc., reveals that the proposed restrictions would adversely impact food security in North America and raise consumer …
Ethanol Report on Upcoming Export Exchange
The U.S. Grains Council (USGC), the Renewable Fuels Association (RFA), and Growth Energy are once again joining together to host the 2022 Export Exchange. U.S. suppliers of coarse grains and co-products, industry representatives and members of the grain trade are encouraged to register now for the event scheduled for October 12-14, 2022, in Minneapolis. In this edition of the Ethanol …
Hearing Explores Agricultural Trade Issues
Senators heard from representatives of U.S. peanut growers, dairy producers and wheat farmers Thursday during a hearing on “Agricultural Trade: Priorities and Issues Facing America’s Farmers.” Representing the U.S. Peanut Federation before the Senate Agriculture Subcommittee on Commodities, Risk Management, and Trade, was Karla Baker Thompson with JET Farms Georgia and Integrity Farms of Camilla, Georgia. Thompson highlighted the decline …
U.S. Agricultural Exports Shattered Records in 2021
The American agricultural industry posted its highest annual export levels ever recorded last year, according to the final 2021 trade data from the Department of Commerce. The report shows exports of U.S. farm and food products to the world in 2021 totaled $177 billion, topping the 2020 total by 18 percent and eclipsing the previous record, set in 2014, by …
Former USDA Economist Comments on Current Trade Climate
Farmers for Free Trade held a virtual roundtable Thursday to focus on the current trade landscape, the Biden administration’s trade agenda, and how ag exports are critical to workers throughout America. On the panel was Dr. Joseph Glauber, currently Senior Research Fellow at the International Food Policy Research Institute but well known as former chief economist at USDA from 2008-2014. …
Administration Plans to Press China on Trade Agreement
United States Trade Representative Katherine Tai delivered remarks Monday at the Center for Strategic and International Studies (CSIS) “outlining the Biden-Harris Administration’s new approach to the U.S.-China bilateral trade relationship.” Ambassador Tai said they will begin by having discussions with China about its performance under the Phase One Agreement and commitments made “that benefit certain American industries, including agriculture, that …
Vilsack Promises to Press China on Phase One
Secretary of Agriculture Tom Vilsack promises to press China to fulfill its Phase One trade agreement obligations, but admits it’s complicated. “We’re involved in a multiple level, complex relationship with China,” said Vilsack during a virtual appearance before the Agricultural Business Council of Kansas City and Agri-Pulse Ag Outlook Forum Monday. “And it’s not a simple thing to put together …
Trade Ambassador Addresses NASDA
U.S. Trade Representative Katherine Tai spoke to state agriculture officials across the country Tuesday during the National Association of State Departments of Agriculture (NASDA) Hybrid Annual Meeting. “Farmers are always planning for the future and that’s what we have to do together,” said Tai in a pre-recorded conversation with NASDA member Derek Sandison, Washington State Director of Agriculture. “I want …
Single Week Sorghum Sales Shatters Records
Export sales of U.S. sorghum hit a single week record this month of more than 33.9 million bushels with almost all of it heading to China. That shatters the previous record set in August 2020 by more than 10 million bushels. In addition, new sales commitments of 33.8 million bushels, predominantly purchased by China, also topped the previous record for …