Top agribusiness, farming, ranching and rural-related news
Congress Passes Economic Relief Package, Agriculture Weighs In
Agricultural groups are reacting to the passage of an economic relief package by Congress this week.
All Ag News
More Details Released Regarding Pandemic Assistance to Agriculture
As Congress agrees to fund the government through next year and also provides just under $1 trillion in pandemic relief, the agriculture industry has been sorting through the details of an additional $13 billion expected to flow through USDA in the coming months.
Pandemic Relief Bill Riding on Government Funding Coattails
Americans and agricultural producers may be receiving a Christmas gift from the Federal government this week, based on the agreement by the legislative and executive branches to a COVID relief deal.
Bloomberg Says Brazil and China Close to FTA
As the United States is working to fill administration positions in anticipation of a Presidential transition in January, Brazil has been on the phone with China working on a massive free trade agreement.
OMB Releases Funding for WHIP+, Checks Arriving Soon
After touting a new program approved by Congress to help farmers and ranchers dealing with excessive moisture and drought, the Farm Service Agency has been sitting in neutral without any funds to provide for those approved for losses in the Wildfire and Hurricane Indemnity Program Plus.
USDA Cattle Numbers Show Small Increase in Feeding
USDA’s final Cattle on Feed Report for 2020, released Friday, lacked much drama as all the projections of the domestic cow herd fell in line with analyst projections.
Biden Transition Team Continues Push to Fill Positions
WASHINGTON, DC – The Biden Transistion team continues to fill positions for the next administration and the latest nominee is Rep. Deb Haaland (D-NM) to become the next Secretary of the Interior.
China Continues Agressive Purchases of U.S. Agricultural Commodities
USDA released their latest Weekly Export Sales Report on Thursday morning, providing the markets a better idea of current trade trends. China continues to be a major buyer of wheat, corn, sorghum, soybeans, cotton and pork.
Biden’s Potential Climate Tariffs Might Require Congressional Approval
What will trade policy look like beginning in 2021? According to Russell Hillberry, Purdue University Professor of Agricultural Economics, the question is not all that easy to answer.
Despite Recent Snow, State Slipping Deeper Into Drought
The latest drought map for conditions as of December 15 shows areas of both improvement and degradation from last week, but the area of Texas impacted by drought changed less than 1 percentage point.
$6 Billion in Trade, At Risk, With China
As the President-elect Joe Biden begins the process of setting up a cabinet, there are questions in agriculture relating to ongoing trade and tensions with China and how this could affect farmers and ranchers in the United States.
Caprock Cattle Educational Series: Drought Risk Management
Floyd and Hale County’s Texas A&M AgriLife Extension Agents are your hosts for a series of talks with experts for the 2020 Caprock Cattle Educational Series.
Former USDA Economist Returning as Chief Economist Resigns
While members of the Electoral College were securing the presidency for Joe Biden Monday, the President-Elect’s transition team was busy at work filling key positions within the administration that takes office on January 20
Agricultural Lenders Concerned About Farm Profitability in 2021
The American Bankers Association recently released the results of their Ag Lender Survey where lenders are expressing concern regarding compression in farm profitability this year and reduced expectations for profitability.
Farm Equipment Sales Increasing Quicker Than General Economy
Even though a good portion of the economy struggled in November, farm equipment sales continued to grow, according to the latest data from the Association of Equipment Manufacturers.
Livestock Feeders Facing Higher Costs in New Year
The U.S. animal protein sector is expected to face a 12 percent increase in feed costs in 2021, which will mark the highest year-over-year inflation since 2011.
Tai to Be Nominated as Biden’s Trade Ambassador
President-Elect Joe Biden has selected Katherine Tai as his nominee to head the U.S. Trade Representative’s office.
More Foreign Sales of U.S. Cotton, Soybeans, Wheat
According to the Foreign Ag Service, U.S. wheat sales were up 38 percent from the previous week (616,500 metric tons) on purchase from Mexico, Japan, and Thailand.
Soybean and Cotton Prices Moving Higher on Exports
The outlook for U.S. wheat this month is for slightly smaller supplies, unchanged domestic use, higher exports, and lower ending stocks.
Cotton Production Down 7 Percent from November Forecast
All cotton production is forecast at 15.9 million bales, down 7 percent from the previous forecast and down 20 percent from 2019.
Biden Selects Vilsack As Next Agriculture Secretary Nominee
Former Iowa Governor Tom Vilsack, who turns 70 on Sunday, appears to be in line to be both the 30th and 32nd Secretary of Agriculture.
Despite Record Exports to China, Beef Exports Lower
U.S. beef muscle cut exports were higher in October, though lower variety meat volumes pushed total beef exports slightly below last year.
USDA Announces Prevented Planting Changes Beginning Next Year
The Risk Management Agency has announced improvements to prevented planting coverage and to the beginning and veteran farmer and rancher program.
U.S. Agriculture Focusing on Future of Chinese Relations
As a new administration prepares to hit the ground running in around 40 days, there are many questions regarding future U.S. relations with China.
Brazilian Cotton Growers Expected to Reduce 2021 Acreage
The Foreign Agriculture Service is reporting Brazilian cotton planting at 3.7 million acres, with the production of just over 12 million bale.
U.S. Pork Exports Continue Record Pace in 2020
U.S. pork exports posted broad-based gains in October, solidifying a record pace for 2020, according to data released by USDA and compiled by the U.S. Meat Export Federation.
No Apple Shortage Expected Following Top-10 Domestic Harvest
Although there have been shortages and bottlenecks for some products and commodities in 2020, apples shouldn’t make that list, according to the Economic Research Service.
Last Four Leaders of House Ag Policy Reminisce
While the focus is already turning to the next Congressional legislative session, the 117th Congress, three members of the House, and one from the Senate sat down Friday morning to reflect on the past 100 sessions.
U.S. Cotton’s Dominance in Turkey Facing Brazilian Pressure
According to the Foreign Agriculture Service, yields in the South Eastern region has been better than expected due to favorable weather conditions.
Senate Ag Committee Research Hearing Final in Roberts-Era
On Wednesday, the Senate Agriculture Committee held a hearing on Agricultural Research in what is most likely, the final hearing in a 40-year Congressional career for Senator Pat Roberts.
U.S. Corn Exports Reach High, Soybeans Sales Tumble
USDA released their latest Weekly Export Sales Report on Thursday morning with corn exports reaching a marketing-year high and soybean sales hitting a marketing-year low.
WTO Official Pleads for Wholesale Agricultural Trade Reform
As the World Trade Organization struggles to determine its role in future global trade, its top-ranking official is urging member-nations to make extensive reforms to existing global farm trade rules.
Grain Standards Reauthorization Passes House, Awaits Presidential Signature
By voice vote, the House of Representatives passed a five-year extension of the U.S. Grains Standards Act.
Net Farm and Cash Farm Income Rapidly Improving
Inflation-adjusted U.S. net cash farm income, which is defined as gross cash income minus cash expenses, is forecast to increase more than $23 billion this year to $134.1 billion in 2020.
Familiar Names Mentioned as Next Secretary of Agriculture
Democratic candidate Joe Biden is officially closing in as the next President of the United States and agricultural leaders are examining potential candidates to replace Sonny Perdue as the next Secretary of Agriculture.
Scott Expected to Chair Next House Agriculture Committee
Though the House will remain under Democratic control in the 117th Congress, voters in Minnesota failed to back the current Chairman of the House Agriculture Committee, Collin Peterson. His loss has provided a path for Rep. David Scott to become the next Chairman.
After Election, Farmer Sentiment Towards Future Turns Sour
The Purdue University/CME Group Ag Economy Barometer dropped 16 points to a reading of 167 in November, down from its all-time high set just one month ago.
Bipartisan and Bicameral Group Finds Compromise to Stimulus
The Problem Solvers Caucus, speaking to the press at an event near the Capitol, explained that, if passed, their legislation would carry Americans through March of 2021.
Indonesian Cotton Consumption Falls, U.S. Remains Top Exporter
Indonesia’s cotton consumption for 2019/20 has declined to a 10-year low of 2.4 million bales due to weaker domestic and overseas demand related to COVID-19.
Lame-duck Request: Extend Temporary Tax Provisions for Agriculture
With only a handful of days remaining in the current 116th legislative session, groups like the American Farm Bureau Federation and others are urging Congress to extend temporary tax provisions.
Big Week for Corn, Cotton and Wheat Exports
USDA released their latest Weekly Export Sales report on Friday reveling a big week for U.S. wheat, corn and cotton exports.
Africa Experiencing Worst Locust Outbreak in 25 Years
Though it sounds like something from Biblical times, portions of Africa are dealing with their worst locust crisis in 25 years according to the United Nations Food and Agricultural Organization.
As Drought Deepens, Livestock Producers Face Challenging Decision
According to the latest U.S. Drought Monitor, 75 percent of Texas is now enduring drought conditions, up from just over half the state seven days ago.
U.S. Absent from Largest Free Trade Agreement Ever
As the United States begins the process of wrapping up a Congressional session and administration, 15 countries in Southeast Asia have joined with five regional partners in signing the largest free trade agreement in history.
Looking for Employment? Sheep Industry Needs Qualified Shearers
As current claims for unemployment hover around 7 percent, nationwide, one industry is facing a major shortage of workers.
Larger Farms More Likely to Utilize Marketing Opportunities
When it comes to selling their crop, farmers can choose a futures contract, an options contract, or a marketing contract.
China and U.S. Challenged to Lead WTO Reforms
Speaking Tuesday at the “1+6” roundtable meeting, World Trade Organization Deputy Director-General Alan Wolff urged members to begin serious engagement on improving the WTO, arguing there was enough common ground to reach major new agreements.
SBA Announces $38 Billion in PPP Loans Forgiven
The Paycheck Protection Program is a loan designed to provide a direct incentive for small businesses to keep their workers on the payroll and was part of the CARES program passed by Congress in response to the coronavirus economic shutdown.
Top Farmer Conference Latest to Join Virtual Ranks
The Purdue Top Farmer Conference is the latest farmer-event to move to a virtual platform.
Raw Agricultural Exports Helping Drive World Trade Rebound
World merchandise trade appears to have rebounded strongly after plummeting in the midst of the COVID-19 pandemic, but whether growth can be sustained going forward is unclear, according to the World Trade Organization’s latest Goods Trade Barometer.