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Mexican Ban on Biotech Corn Would Have Broad Impact

Cindy Zimmerman

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 …

Audio, Biotech, Corn, Exports, GMO, NCGA, Trade

Ethanol Report on Upcoming Export Exchange

Cindy Zimmerman

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 …

Audio, Corn, Ethanol, Exports, Feed, RFA

Hearing Explores Agricultural Trade Issues

Cindy Zimmerman

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 …

Audio, Dairy, Exports, Peanuts, Wheat

U.S. Agricultural Exports Shattered Records in 2021

Cindy Zimmerman

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 …

Audio, Beef, Cattle Industry Conference, Exports, Markets, Meat

Former USDA Economist Comments on Current Trade Climate

Cindy Zimmerman

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. …

Audio, Exports, Trade

Administration Plans to Press China on Trade Agreement

Cindy Zimmerman

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 …

Audio, Exports, Trade, USDA

Vilsack Promises to Press China on Phase One

Cindy Zimmerman

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 …

Agribusiness, Audio, Exports, Trade, USDA

Trade Ambassador Addresses NASDA

Cindy Zimmerman

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 …

Audio, Exports, Trade

Single Week Sorghum Sales Shatters Records

Cindy Zimmerman

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 …

Audio, Exports, sorghum

China Starting to Buy U.S. Ethanol

Cindy Zimmerman

Reports that China is buying U.S. ethanol again sent a positive message to the industry Tuesday that the Phase One trade agreement promises may yet be met. During an investor call, Archer Daniels Midland Co-Chief Financial Officer Ray Young said they believe China has already made commitments “in the first half of the year for U.S. ethanol equal to the …

Audio, Corn, Ethanol, Exports, Trade