Leaders of the National Corn Growers Association (NCGA) and state corn organizations held a news conference Wednesday morning to urge the Trump Administration and members of Congress to finish the job on outstanding trade and ethanol issues important to corn farmers. The past year has presented a perfect storm of challenges for America’s corn farmers. While there have been positive …
ASTA Excited About USMCA
Members of the American Seed Trade Association (ASTA) meeting in Chicago this week are excited about news that an agreement has been reached on the United States-Mexico-Canada Agreement (USMCA) that could mean a vote as early as next week. “Mexico and Canada are our two biggest agricultural trading partners so we need that clear relationship,” said ASTA Chair Wayne Gale …
Farmers in the Democratic Debate
Farmers got about two minutes of airtime during the Democratic presidential candidate debate last night. South Bend, Indiana Mayor Pete Buttigieg was asked whether he would continue the “farm subsidies” that President Trump has authorized to help farmers struggling from the impact of the trade war with China. “We shouldn’t have to pay farmers to take the edge off of …
NPPC Launches Pork O’Clock Somewhere
What would Jimmy Buffett do for a pulled pork sandwich in paradise? The National Pork Producers Council (NPPC) has launched a new campaign, “It’s Pork O’ Clock Somewhere,” to highlight the importance and benefits of the U.S.-Mexico-Canada (USMCA) trade agreement. The campaign focuses on pork and the many ways it’s enjoyed across North America. “Ratification of USMCA is the top …
Secretary Perdue Talks Mexico Trade
U.S. Secretary of Agriculture Sonny Perdue led a trade mission to Mexico this week to investigate new opportunities with our nation’s largest bilateral trading partner and second-largest export market for agricultural products. The secretary was joined by the heads of six state departments of agriculture: Bryan Hurlburt of Connecticut, Celia Gould of Idaho, Joseph Bartenfelder of Maryland, Chris Chinn of …
USDA Deputy Secretary on Trade Mission in West Africa
U.S. Deputy Secretary of Agriculture Steve Censky is on a trade mission to West Africa this week to help United States exporters unlock new opportunities in a region where strong economic growth is driving demand for imported food and farm products. He is joined by representatives of more than 40 companies and organizations seeking to increase exports of U.S. agricultural …
China Reportedly Willing to Buy $20 Billion in US Ag Products
News reports today say China is willing to buy at least $20 billion of agricultural products in a year, and possibly twice as much or more in the future. President Donald Trump talked about China buying agricultural products during a cabinet meeting on Monday. “If we could get $20 billion a year from China — that China purchases $20 billion …
Agriculture Wins With Japan Agreement
President Donald Trump gathered farmers and ranchers and other stakeholders at the White House on Monday for the signing of the U.S.-Japan Trade Agreement. In his remarks prior to the signing, President Trump talked about the many agricultural commodities that will benefit from the new agreement.
Trade Factors in Future of Farming
Trade disputes, tariffs and negotiations are a significant factor when looking at the future of agriculture around the world. The Bayer Future of Farming Dialogue last week included a panel on trade featuring Iowa farmer and former president of the National Corn Growers Association Pam Johnson. Johnson says a free trade world is a necessity for agriculture. “Trade wars are …
Past and Current Ag Secretaries Support USMCA
All former U.S. Secretaries of Agriculture since President Reagan’s Administration this week announced their support for the United States-Mexico-Canada Agreement (USMCA). In a letter to Congressional leaders, former Secretaries John Block (Reagan), Mike Espy (Clinton), Dan Glickman (Clinton), Ann Veneman (W. Bush), Mike Johanns (W. Bush), Ed Shafer (W. Bush), and Tom Vilsack (Obama) underscored the importance of passing USMCA …