U.S. Trade Representative Michael Froman and Agriculture Secretary Tom Vilsack were among those who participated in a Thanksgiving week session of the US-China Joint Commission on Commerce and Trade (JCCT) in Washington last week, the last one for the Obama Administration. The talks resulted in some progress in the areas of intellectual property protection, pharmaceutical and medical devices, and information … Read More
Reaction to Election and Policy Priorities for NCGA
Much of the conversation during NAFB’s Trade Talksurrounded the industry’s response to the election of Donald Trump, and the National Corn Growers Association (NCGA) President Wesley Spurlock was on hand to discuss what this new administration will means for NCGA and how the organization intends to move forward into the future. “It is great to have the election behind us, … Read More
U.S. to Take Action on Chinese Trade Distorting
The Obama Administration announced last week they plan to launch a trade enforcement action against China at the World Trade Organization (WTO) to challenge trade-distorting domestic supports. The Administration plans to challenge three key crops: corn, wheat and rice. In 2015 China’s “market price support” for these three crops was estimated to be almost $100 billion in excess of what … Read More
IA Governor Branstad on #Ag at #FarmProgressShow
Iowa Governor Terry Branstad touted Iowa as an agricultural leader during this year’s Farm Progress Show. He visited exhibitors and stopped by the BASF Media Tent to speak with reporters about key ag issues. I spoke with him about three issues: trade, water quality, and ethanol. Speaking on the topic of TPP Gov. Branstad said we have problems with both parties. … Read More
USSEC Serves as Global Marketing Firm for #USSoy
Corn, soybean, rice and cotton farmer, Derek Haigwood, is the newly elected vice chairman for the U.S. Soybean Export Council (USSEC) and calls Arkansas home. I met up with Derek during the 2016 U.S. Soy Global Trade Exchange to learn more about the organization and how he plans to serve. Derek said he is honored to work hand-in-hand with USSEC … Read More
New Poll Shows Support for TPP
The American Farm Bureau Federation has released the results of a poll from Morning Consult regarding the Trans-Pacific Partnership agreement. Most participants favor fair trade, which is something AFBF would like to remind candidates running in the 2016 Election. “Most Americans support free trade,” American Farm Bureau Federation President Zippy Duvall said, “and most farmers do, too. Exports account for … Read More
ASA Pushing for European Approval of Soy Traits
The American Soybean Association (ASA) has been waiting for five months to hear from an Appeals Committee concerning the European Union’s approval of three soybean traits. Now they’re ramping up their call for action with a letter to European Commissioner Vytenis Andriukaitis. Currently the three traits awaiting approval are: Monsanto’s dicamba-tolerant RR2Xtend, Vistive Gold high oleic traits and Bayer CropScience’s … Read More
NCGA Trade School Highlights Importance of Policy
The National Corn Growers Association hosted Trade School in Washington D.C. last week. More than 50 farmers, ranchers and ag professionals took the opportunity to learn more about trade issues and rally support for TPP. “Trade policy has a significant impact on me as a farmer. The success of my business and the livelihood of my community depend on expanding … Read More
US Equipment Exports Continue to Decline
Exports of U.S.-made agricultural equipment for first quarter 2016 are down 8 percent overall compared to first quarter 2015, with a total of $1.7 billion shipped to global markets. Europe and Central America each recorded double-digit gains, and the other world regions saw double-digit declines, led by Africa and South America, according to the Association of Equipment Manufacturers (AEM), which … Read More
Soy Growers Welcome Cuban Agribusiness Group
The U.S. Agriculture Coalition for Cuba (USACC) and Cuba’s Grupo Empresarial Agricola (GEA) have officially signed an agreement to re-establish the Cuban marketplace for U.S. food and agricultural products. Members of both parities will be meeting regularly to ensure a beneficial and productive relationship as the agreement moves forward. The American Soybean Association is cheering the good news. All last week, ASA … Read More