Demand from China Leads to Surge in U.S. Ag Exports
Analysts forecast that China, reclaiming its spot as the No. 1 customer, will account for $1 of every $5 in overseas sales this year.
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USDA
U.S. Forecasts Highest Prices for Crops in Years
The USDA estimates the corn crop will sell for a season-average $5.70 a bushel, soybeans for $13.85, and wheat for $6.50. Those would be the highest farm gate prices since 2013 for corn and soybeans and the highest since 2014 for wheat.
Read moreVilsack Focuses on Sustainability in First Hearing
Republican Senator Chuck Grassley introduced Vilsack at the Ag Committee hearing, an indication of bipartisan support for the nominee to succeed Sonny Perdue.
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Shrinking Grain Supplies Send Prices Skyward
Dry weather and an uptick in demand from China has influenced the supply-and-demand scenario on grains.
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Vilsack Expected to Return as USDA Chief
If confirmed, Vilsack will face challenges related to diminished trade, a decline in rural populations, a mandate to combat climate change, and a burdened food stamps program.
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USDA Issues $14 Billion in COVID Relief to Farmers
This is the second round of assistance the administration will send to farmers. It distributed $19 billion earlier this year.
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USDA Projects Farm Income at 7-Year High
The last time federal payments accounted for a greater percentage of farm income was 2001 at 41 percent. Sonny Perdue said Monday he hopes to announce a new version of coronavirus relief this week.
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Three Farm Belt States Get Quarter of Relief Money
Iowa, Nebraska and Wisconsin have collected one-fourth of USDA’s corona-virus relief payments. California has the largest average payment.
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USDA, Prosecutors Investigate Meatpackers
The president of the North Dakota Farmers Union said the industry has rarely seen such obvious market abuses by the meatpacking industry.
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Farm Aid to Launch After Memorial Day
Farmers and ranchers seeking a lifeline from the Agriculture Department can sign up for a relief check starting Monday.
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USDA Predicts Better 2020 for Ag, More Aid Possible
In spite of challenges such as the coronavirus and competition from Brazil, the USDA’s chief economist sees “more hopeful signs” for farmers.
Read moreFarmers Receive Final Round of 2019 Trade Support
USDA has rolled out the final tranche of 2019 payments to farmers hurt by global trade disputes. The funds could bring total payments for the year close to $14.5 billion.
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ASF Vaccine Shows Promise, Availability Seems Distant
U.S. officials have developed a 100-percent effective vaccine against African swine fever, but it likely will not be available for commercial use for years.
Read moreUSDA Considers Third Round of Trade Aid
USDA will decide in January whether to issue the third tranche of payments under the 2019 Market Facilitation Program. A trade deal with China will not necessarily stop USDA from releasing the money.
Read moreUSDA, FCC Focus on Internet Capacity for Rural America
The FCC will establish a $9 billion fund to deploy advanced wireless services to rural America and designate $1 billion for precision ag needs. The USDA continues to invest in broadband infrastructure.
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USDA: Harvest Lags Behind Historic Average
Harvests for corn, soybeans, and cotton is not as far along as the average of previous years.
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USDA Sends Hurricane Aid to Southern Farmers
The USDA is providing up to $800 million in block grants to states hit by Hurricanes Florence and Michael in 2018. A spokesperson said $381 million will go to Florida, $337 million to Georgia and $25 million to Alabama.
Read moreUSDA, State Ag Groups Accelerate Research on Climate
State departments of ag have adopted new policies on climate resiliency. The USDA hopes to boost funding for the same issue after distributing more than $3 billion in disaster money to farmers.
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