Ag Industry Support Not Expected to Continue Indefinitely
There is no expectation that the significant federal support the agricultural industry has received over the past four years will continue in 2022.
Covid 19
Consumer Demand Expected to Drive Global Economic Gains
A persistent pandemic, monetary tightening in the U.S., and slowing growth in China will present the most significant headwinds for the global economy in 2022.
Administration Asking Courts to Reinstate Business Vaccine Mandate
Last week, the Sixth Circuit Court of Appeals was selected to hear all complaints filed regarding the Biden Administration’s COVID-19 vaccination mandate.
Trucking Association Files Lawsuit Against Mandatory Vaccine Mandate
Though it appears truckers will be exempt from the government’s new vaccine mandate, the American Truckers Association isn’t taking any chances.
Vaccine Mandates and China Trade Highlight Supply Concerns
As many industries in the United States continue to navigate the choppy waters of supply-chain disruptions, there are two more waves of potential concern on the horizon.
Top Issue in 2021 Could Be Worker Shortages
From farm to supermarket, labor availability remains the biggest concern and continues to be a significant impediment to quick supply-side responses.
Chicken Consumption Expected to Increase Again in 2021
As the general economy struggled during the COVID-19 pandemic, one sector of the agricultural economy flourished: chicken.
Canada is Second Best Export Market Behind China
Despite COVID-19 challenges, Canada remained a leading destination for U.S. agricultural exports in 2020, with high-value food and beverage exports reaching $17 billion.
Global Economic Crisis Could Cost U.S. Agriculture $4 Billion
The United States is a major exporter of agricultural products, with about 20 percent of its farm output sold abroad, however, an economic crisis in foreign markets is threatening to reduce U.S. export sales.
Despite Volatility, Agricultural Economist Appears Optimistic About 2021
Volatile seems to be one of the best words to describe 2020, especially in agriculture.
USDA Encouraging Producers to Sign Up for CFAP-2
USDA is implementing updates to the Coronavirus Food Assistance Program for farmers and ranchers who faced market disruptions in 2020 due to COVID-19.
Dairy Exports Overcome 2020 Challenges, 2021 Looking Brighter
Despite challenges presented by the COVID-19 economic lockdown, exports of U.S. dairy products expanded 9 percent year-over-year in 2020, reaching a total of $6.5 billion.
U.S. Beef Exports Fell in 2020, Rebound Expected
In 2020, the value of U.S. beef & beef product exports contracted 5.5 percent year-over-year, largely due to supply chain constraints and food service struggles in the wake of the COVID-19 pandemic.
Outlook for Trade Uncertain Due to COVID Recession
While global economic growth is expected following the COVID-induced recession of 2020, the speed of recovery is uncertain due to differences in how individual countries will manage economic response and recovery.
U.S. Agricultural Exports Enjoy Second-Highest Level in History
Total U.S. agricultural exports in 2020 were nearly $146 billion, up almost 7 percent from 2019, and the second highest level on record after Calendar Year 2014.
USDA Announces Restart to CFAP Under New Program
USDA unveiled their new Pandemic Assistance for Producers program this week, establishing new programs and efforts to bring financial assistance to farmers, ranchers, and producers who felt the impact of COVID-19 market disruptions.
Equipment Manufacturers Expecting Sales to Increase in 2021
As the industry emerges from a full year under the COVID-19 cloud, a majority of equipment manufacturers report a positive outlook for 2021.
Restaurant Industry Prepares for Perfect Storm for Demand
Could 2021 be the year of the restaurant? After a year of forced closures due to the coronavirus pandemic, many states have either relaxed or simply opened up the restaurant industry for dining again.
COVID-19 and Technology Restrictions, Pressuring Mexican Cotton Industry
As the Mexican government tightens regulations on their domestic commercial farming operations, it’s beginning to hit the cotton industry south of the border.
West Coast Ports Breaking Under Weight of Activity
As the U.S. economy begins to thaw from a frigid year-long global shutdown due to COVID-19, one sign of optimism is pointing to another sign of frustration.
2020 Grain Dust Explosions Injure 9; No Fatalities
Though 2020 will be remembered as the year of the deadly COVID-19 pandemic, one statistic that won’t be a part of that conversation is grain-dust deaths.
Despite Challenges Presented by Pandemic, Dairy Sales Impressive
How has the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic affected the dairy industry? According to the National Milk Producers Federation, retail dairy purchases that jumped at the beginning of the pandemic, have remained elevated since then.
Advance Estimates Show 4 Percent Growth in GDP
While many economists are unsure of when the economy will recover from the COVID-19 pandemic, the latest information from the Bureau of Economic Analysis gives hope that the answer is, soon.
Feedlots Could Find Path to Profitability in 2021
COVID-19 and fluctuating fed cattle and feed prices resulted in another challenging year for cattle finishers. But current breakeven and fed cattle price projections suggest that net returns may close in on breakeven prices by July.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
U.S. CO2 Emissions Projected 10% Lower in 2020
The November Short-Term Energy Outlook from the U.S. Energy Information Administration remains uncertain because responses to COVID-19 continue to evolve.
Amid Uncertainty, Lenders Remain Concerned About Agricultural Liquidity
Lenders continue to be most concerned about the liquidity, income, and leverage of producers. Uncertainty regarding tariffs and trade, the weather, and the impacts of the COVID-19 pandemic and resulting economic downturn is close behind.
Coronavirus Attack Continues, Delaying Another Major Agricultural Event
As COVID-19 disruptions continue across the country, one major trade show event is choosing to delay rather than cancel in 2021.
Latest Indicators Point to Slow But Improving Economy
The economy may be improving after one of the quickest recessions in American history. The downturn was a direct result of the global COVID-19 economic shutdown.
Agricultural and Rural Economies Weathering Coronavirus Storm
The coronavirus pandemic has now impacted all four quarters of 2020, and seemingly every aspect of life and business.
Though Uncertain, Signs Point to Gradual Economic Recovery
World trade shows signs of bouncing back from a deep, COVID-19 induced slump, but World Trade Organization economists caution that any recovery could be disrupted by the ongoing pandemic effects.
WTO Agricultural Ministers Ponder New Subsidies From COVID-19
Though the World Trade Organization is facing some difficult days as the United States pushes for major reforms, leaders say a recent meeting of the Committee on Agriculture produced “meaningful” dialogue.
Cotton Imports Reflecting Optimism for Return to Normalcy
The financial impacts of the global coronavirus shutdown hit many sectors hard, and for some industries, they still struggle to get back on their feet – much less return to profitability.
Positive Outcome of COVID-19, Nation Notices “Digital Divide”
If lawmakers weren’t aware of the importance of broadband high-speed internet service to rural areas before COVID-19, they are well aware today.
Agricultural Success in 2021 Dependent on Several Factors
The critical role American farmers and ranchers serve in protecting the nation’s food supply is undeniable but the outlook for 2021 depends on several influential factors.
Beige Book: Conditions Improving in Mid-Section of Country
The Tenth Federal Reserve District based in Kansas City is reporting economic activity continued to strengthen in July and August. Overall, the economy expanded moderately, but activity in many sectors still remained below pre-pandemic levels.
Both General and Agricultural Economic Conditions Slowly Improving
Economic activity increased across most of the country over the past few weeks, but gains were generally modest and activity remained well below levels prior to the COVID-19 pandemic.
2019 PLC Payments Expected for Most Row-Crops
As Congress gets back to work this week, following their regular August recess, eyes are focused on whether the two chambers and two parties can come together for a second-round off Coronavirus assistance.
EU Eliminating Recently-Introduced Duties on U.S. Grains
The European Union has eliminated import duties on certain U. S. products just four months after re-introducing those duties.
Banks Facing Ongoing Challenges from COVID-19 and Regulations
It appears that almost every sector of the American economy took a financial hit during the near-nationwide shutdown due to COVID-19.
Second Round of COVID-19 Agricultural Assistance Coming Soon
More relief may be coming for farmers and ranchers affected by COVID-19 shutdown and loss of marketing opportunities
Small Business Spending Down Due to Financial Uncertainty
Small business spending fell sharply for the second straight quarter due to a significant drop in revenues caused by pandemic lockdowns as spending shifted to debit cards.
Cotton Industry Cautious About Future As Retailers Struggle
The COVID-19 global shutdown has weighed heavily on the cotton and textile industries. As economies begin to reopen there has been some improvement in economic activity, yet consumer spending on apparel has led to a drop in year-over-year demand.
Banks Reporting Weaker Demand for Second Quarter Loans
As the U.S. economy dove deeper into recession amid the coronavirus pandemic in the second quarter, more than half of banks reported weaker demand for commercial and industrial loans.
Ag Economy Barometer: Long-term Optimism Beginning to Fade
Two-thirds of producers responding to the August Purdue University/CME Group Ag Economy Barometer survey said they believe Congress should provide additional economic assistance to farmers in 2020 to help offset the impact of COVID-19 on agriculture.
USDA Extending Crop Insurance Deadlines Due to COVID-19
The USDA is providing policyholders additional time to pay premium and administrative fees and to waive accrual of interest.