Over 70 Wisconsin dairy operations are already feeling the blow from a protectionist Canadian trade policy that has slammed the door on American dairy exports, violated existing trade commitments, and left farmers across the state scrambling to find milk buyers. Grassland Dairy Products Inc. informed over 70 operations this week that their contracts with the company will end May 1st, …
ASA Supports National Biodiesel Board
The American Soybean Association (ASA) supports the National Biodiesel Board (NBB) in the filing of an anti-dumping and countervailing duty petition. The petition alleges Argentine and Indonesian companies are selling dumped biodiesel and subsidized biodiesel in violation of U.S. trade laws. ASA President Ron Moore made this statement in support of the petition: “Biodiesel imports from Argentina and Indonesia have flooded the U.S. …
Passing of Clayton Yeutter
Tributes are pouring out in memory of Clayton Yeutter who passed away March 4 at the age of 86. Clayton Yeutter served as U.S. Trade Representative under President Ronald Reagan and as agriculture secretary under President George H.W. Bush. He was always a strong advocate for American agriculture and a friend to many of us in the industry who have …
Farm Bureau President Speaks at USDA Ag Outlook Forum
The American Farm Bureau Federation’s public policy agenda shares much in common with the Trump administration on issues like regulatory reform and tax reform. But even harder issues such as farm labor and trade should present opportunities to engage with Congress and the White House, alike, AFBF President Zippy Duvall told participants at the USDA’s Agricultural Outlook Forum. Duvall said …
Farm Groups Stress Importance of Trade in Asia-Pacific
The American Soybean Association, American Farm Bureau Federation, American Seed Trade Association, National Corn Growers Association, National Milk Producers Association, US Poultry & Egg Export Council and more than 80 other agriculture groups sent a letter to President Trump asking him to reduce and eliminate tarifs and other restrictions on trade in the Asia-Pacific region. “We hope your Administration will …
Not Politics as Usual from #CattleCon17
It’s a busy time to be involved in government affairs, as Colin Woodall of the National Cattlemen’s Beef Association will tell you. Trump hit the ground running, which means NCBA is moving at a quick pace too, Woodall told Jamie Johansen at the 2017 Cattle Industry Convention and NCBA Trade Show. The executive action to pull the United States out …
Letter to Trump Highlights NAFTA Successes
The recent words of Donald Trump concerning the U.S.’s withdrawal from the North American Free Trade Agreement (NAFTA) prompted more than 130 food and agriculture industry organizations to send a letter to the President. Members of the food and agriculture community wanted to highlight the importance of the trade agreement and to urge him to continue to build upon that success. …
Ag Reacts to Trump Withdrawal from TPP
The detailed description touting the benefits of the Trans Pacific Partnership is now gone from the U.S. Trade Representative (USTR) website as President Trump signed an executive order today withdrawing from the trade deal. “With this decision, it is critical that the new administration begin work immediately to do all it can to develop new markets for U.S. agricultural goods …
U.S. & Cuba Trade Workshop at #AFBF17
Cuba has become a near and dear topic for me since visiting the country a few months ago with fellow ag media. The people of Cuba are eager to normalize relations with their big neighbor to the North opening trade and opportunities for U.S. agriculture. During the 2017 American Farm Bureau Federation’s Annual Convention & IDEAg Trade Show experts gathered …
US Challenges Chinese Quotas for Rice, Wheat, and Corn
The Obama Administration has launched a new trade enforcement action against the People’s Republic of China over tariff-rate quotas (TRQs) for rice, wheat, and corn. The complaint was filed with the World Trade Organization (WTO) by the Office of the United States Trade Representative (USTR). “China’s TRQ policies breach their WTO commitments and limit opportunities for U.S. farmers to export …