Top agribusiness, farming, ranching and rural-related news
Sustainability Message Reverberates at Virtual Beltwide Cotton Conference
Sustainability took the main stage at Wednesday’s annual Beltwide Cotton Conference.
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Farmer Optimism Improves on Rally in Crop Prices
There was a modest improvement in producer sentiment according to the December Purdue University/CME Group Ag Economy Barometer.
Drought and EPA Decisions in Spotlight at Beltwide
The 2021 Beltwide Cotton Conference kicked off Tuesday morning, albeit virtually, with the annual Consultants Conference General Session. The event, which was scheduled to be in-person in New Orleans, fell victim to the health protocols of the COVID-19 outbreak.
Custom Harvesting Community Preparing to Meet In-Person
As many organizers are choosing to either postpone, cancel or hold their events virtually in 2021, one group is pushing forward with their annual convention.
Effects of Drought on Ogallala Aquifer Being Measured
Starting Monday, High Plains Underground Water Conservation District (HPWD) personnel will begin their annual water level measurements in an attempt to determine the effect of 2020 pumping on groundwater levels in the area.
Dairy Producers Experiencing Higher Prices Fueled By Exports
According to the National Milk Producers Federation, the industry survived with government support and robust export markets.
Revised Rules for PPP Stand to Benefit Agriculture
With the passage of the Consolidated Appropriations Act of 2021, Congress reauthorized the Paycheck Protection Program (PPP) and provided new rules related to agriculture.
USDA Announces First Significant Purchase of FMD Vaccine
The USDA has been working to develop a Foot and Mouth vaccine bank, and last week announced their first significant purchase.
Program Developed to Aid in On-Farm Biosecurity Plans
In collaboration with USDA and its Secure Beef Supply plan, the Beef Checkoff-funded Beef Quality Assurance program recently developed a Daily Biosecurity Plan for Disease Prevention.
Trump Names New Director to Head USDA’s NIFA
Dr. Carrie Castille has been named the new director of the National Institute of Food and Agriculture.
Drought Conditions Continue to Deepen, No Relief Expected
The latest drought map for conditions as of December 15 shows improvement in the northern Panhandle and East Texas and degradation in Central and South Texas.
Congress Passes Economic Relief Package, Agriculture Weighs In
Agricultural groups are reacting to the passage of an economic relief package by Congress this week.
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.