In 2014 the export sale of corn and corn products in the U.S. generated $74.7 billion. The total rises to $82 billion when expanded to include all feed grain products, says a new report by Informa Economics. Overall, corn exports increased the U.S. GDP by $29.8 billion, compared to what would have occurred without these exports. Full-time jobs related directly … Read More
Ag Groups Urge Congress to Back TPP
More than 200 farm and food groups have come together to send a bipartisan letter to Speaker of the House, Paul Ryan; Minority Leader, Nancy Pelosi; Senate Majority Leader, Mitch McConnell; and Senate Minority Leader Harry Reid, regarding the Trans-Pacific Partnership (TPP). The letter encourages Congress to finish the work of approving TPP in 2016. “If faithfully implemented, TPP will … Read More
SoyGrowers Focus on GMO Labeling in Washington
This week the American Soybean Association (ASA) and its Board of Directors will hold their annual meeting in Washington D.C. This year’s meeting coincides with the introduction of Senate bill S.2609, the national standard for labeling of bioengineered food set forth by the Agriculture Committee Chairman, Senator Pat Roberts. The organization will be focusing much of its efforts on this measure, … Read More
John Deere Urges Congress To Ratify TPP
This week, John Deere urged Congress to ratify the Trans-Pacific Partnership (TPP), saying the trade agreement signed by 12 countries today is a much-needed step to boost the global economy. “A robust U.S. trade agenda expands jobs and opportunities for American workers, farmers and businesses,” said Samuel R. Allen, Deere & Company chairman and chief executive officer. “This benefits our … Read More
Biotech Included in TPP
The newly concluded Trans Pacific Partnership (TPP) includes language related to biotechnology in agricultural products for the first time ever. Agriculture Secretary Tom Vilsack calls the biotech inclusion “historic” and says it discusses “acknowledgement by member countries that they’ll use science-based determinations relative to biotechnology and to promote greater transparency in the regulatory presence.” During a press conference about the … Read More
Nebraska Governor Talks Biotech in Europe
Nebraska Governor Pete Ricketts is on an agricultural trade mission trip to the European Union with stops in Italy, Belgium, and Denmark. The trade mission, being coordinated jointly by the Nebraska Departments of Agriculture and Economic Development, includes a number of representatives from the state’s agriculture industry. One of the delegation’s first stops was at Expo Milano where they visited … Read More
Soybean Leaders Talk Biotech in China
Representatives from U.S. soybean organizations are in China this week joining their counterparts from several other countries to discuss the biotech-approval process there. United Soybean Board (USB) chairman Bob Haselwood of Kansas, the American Soybean Association (ASA) president Wade Cowan of Texas, and the U.S. Soybean Export Council (USSEC) chair Laura Foell of Iowa teamed up with their fellow soybean … Read More
EU Plan Would Allow Countries to Ban Biotech
A new proposal by the European Commission which would allow member countries to ban the import of food and feed containing biotech ingredients, causing a concern for U.S. agricultural interests. “We are very disappointed by today’s announcement of a regulatory proposal that appears hard to reconcile with the EU’s international obligations,” said United States Trade Representative Michael Froman. “Moreover, dividing … Read More
USA Rice Federation at 2015 Mid-South Farm & Gin Show
The USA Rice Federation is the commodity association that represents all industry aspects (growers, millers, merchants) of the rice industry; they have members in all 6 major rice producing states. While at the 2015 Mid-South Farm & Gin Show, Randy Jemison, Director of Louisiana Field Operations for USA Rice Federation, spoke with Chuck Zimmerman about their role in supporting rice … Read More
Corn Growers Join Cuba Ag Coalition
The National Corn Growers Association joins U.S. Department of Agriculture Secretary Tom Vilsack and fellow farm and food organizations seeking to end the United States’ embargo against Cuba and advance trade relations between the two nations. The U.S. Agriculture Coalition for Cuba is composed of more than 30 U.S. agricultural and food organizations committed to building a deeper U.S.-Cuba relationship. … Read More