…changes for a basket of cereals, oilseeds, dairy products, meat, and sugar. The March index was 1.1 percent higher than the February number. When compared to a year ago at…
USDA and SBA Join Forces to Help Rural American Businesses
…also intend to identify ways to increase the benefits of the Tax Cuts and Jobs Act of 2017. Other goals include improving innovation for rural technical assistance providers and aiding…
Market Experts: Keep China Tariff in Perspective
…allows a chance for both nations to negotiate an agreement if desired. Bower, in his daily newsletter, points out that Brazil, another major source of soybeans, does not have enough…
National Groups Respond to Proposed Chinese Tariffs
…higher proposed tariffs on U.S. raw cotton shipped to that country would significantly harm the economic health of the U.S. cotton industry. For the current 2017 crop year, China stands…
GAO Gives USDA Approval to Ditch Organic Livestock Rule
…lawsuits allege USDA repeatedly delayed the rule, which effectively repealed it, and did so without public comment, according to meat industry publication Meatingplace. The final rule was first published on…
Ag Bankers Report Shows Increase in Lending
Agricultural lending from U.S. banks increased nearly six percent in 2017, according to a new report by the American Bankers Association. Ag lending increased $5.9 billion to $106 billion last…
USDA Highlights Feedback from Stakeholders in Review of Livestock Mandatory Reporting Program
…Marketing and Regulatory Programs. “This review provided an opportunity for the best minds of the livestock and meat sectors to come together to improve and expand on this great service.”…
USDA Reopens Enrollment for Improved Dairy Safety Net Tool
…operations may still “opt out” by not submitting a form. All outstanding balances for 2017 and prior years must be paid in full before 2018 coverage is approved. Dairy producers…
DTN Poll Shows Farmers Becoming More Positive
…its third highest level ever recorded in its latest survey, reaching 134.8, up almost 22 points from the December/January level and slightly above the overall level of spring 2017. The…
U.S. Dairy Export Council Seeks Market Growth in China
…in China. The partnership is part of the Next Five Percent initiative, an industry-wide effort launched in 2017 to increase annual U.S. dairy exports from the equivalent of about 15…
Ag Trade Group: China Tariffs a Tax on Farmers
…in 2017. From the National Association of Farm Broadcasting News Service. See the agricultural products China is imposing tariffs on HERE. (NOTE: tariffs will be 15% excepts for pork which…
True Leaders in Service Highlights National Volunteer Appreciation Month
…of April, culminating with the National 4-H Day of Service on Saturday, April 28. In 2017 the True Leaders in Service program saw 6,649 youth and adults who volunteered on…
Community Bankers Announce Farm Bill Recommendations
…They also are asking Congress to enhance the USDA’s Farm Loan Programs. They provided more than $7.7 billion worth of loans to producers in 2017. The loan programs supported 42,000…
MLB Fans Predicted to Eat More than 19 Million Hot Dogs in 2018
…predictions that Rockies fans will increase hot dog consumption by 140 percent compared to 2017. They are followed closely behind by 2016 World Series champions Chicago Cubs with one million…