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Record voter support for E15 captures Senate’s attention
A new voter poll shows record support for all year around higher-ethanol fuel blend. Geoff Cooper, President and CEO of the Renewable Fuels Association, wants to use the data to advance year-round E15 legislation through the Senate. He explains that voter support for E15 is driven by high gas prices and global instability- particularly in the Middle East- and that E15 offers a lower-cost alternative to traditional fuels. Cooper said the support for E15 is bipartisan, which underscores the...
Growing crush capacity shifts soy demand priorities
For decades, one of the soybean industry's biggest challenges was finding new markets for soybean oil. Today, however, the conversation is changing. Growing demand from renewable diesel and other biofuel markets has helped create new opportunities for soybean oil,...
Swine industry remains cautious about NWS
Earlier this week, the USDA announced that there was an official detection of New World Screwworm (NWS) in the U.S. The pest was found in a three-week-old calf in South Texas. Since NWS is an indiscriminate parasite, all warm-blooded mammals are at risk of infestation...
Ag economy barometer drops in May
The Purdue University/CME Group Ag Economy Barometer dropped in May. Michael Langemeier, director of Purdue University’s Center for Commercial Agriculture, talked about the decline. Farmers appeared to be deeply concerned about current conditions. Langemeier said...
Recapping a disappointing week in the grain market trade
It has been a difficult week of trade in the grains and oilseeds markets to say the least. Corn and soybeans grinded lower to begin the week and then saw significant losses on Thursday and Friday. Matt Bennett is the CEO and co-founder of AgMarket.Net and he tells the...
Livestock groups react to NWS confirmation
U.S. livestock groups reacted to the USDA’s confirmation of the New World Screwworm in South Texas. “The National Cattlemen’s Beef Association and our state partner organizations have been working for more than a year to combat the incursion of the New World...
NASDA prioritizes animal disease preparedness
When I visited Washington, D.C. recently, I had the opportunity to speak with RJ Kearney of the National Association of State Departments of Agriculture about the issues state agriculture leaders are watching most closely. While topics like trade and the Farm Bill...
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Swine industry is combatting misinformation about California Prop 12
True animal welfare starts with supporting hog producers, not creating legislation to impede their ability to raise their livestock. As swine industry leaders push to get legislation to nullify California Proposition 12 on the Senate version of the farm bill, another...
Grassley discusses the USMCA ahead of July 1st review
Last week President Trump said that he does not plan to renew USMCA (U.S.-Mexico-Canada Agreement) ahead of its mandatory July 1 review. On Tuesday United States Senator Chuck Grassley (R-IA) was asked about the president’s comments and whether Grassley and other...
U.S. Senators call for more action against NWS
A bipartisan group of U.S. senators is urging the USDA to take additional steps to contain the growing New World Screwworm outbreak in the U.S. The lawmakers, led by Senator Amy Klobuchar of Minnesota, sent a letter to USDA expressing concern about the threat the...
USDA reports mixed red meat exports for April
USDA data release compiled by the U.S Meat Export Federation (USMEF) seemed encouraging for U.S. pork exports as a strong momentum was maintained throughout April. USMEF President and CEO Dan Halstrom reports an 8% increase in pork exports consequent to the growth in...
George Washington’s cherries reveal agricultural legacy
The story of George Washington and a cherry tree has long been part of American folklore. While historians have dismissed that tale as fiction, a recent discovery at Mount Vernon has revealed a very real connection between the nation's first president and the fruit he...
