Beef and pork exports run ahead of 2019 pace despite pandemic Exports of U.S.-grown pork and beef are flowing at a higher volume than in 2019, with a sales value of $4.86 billion through April. Strong meat exports are a sign that the United States is a reliable… Continue reading
Few farm groups speak out on George Floyd’s death or protests that followed The National Farmers Union was the first major farm group to call for racial justice following the killing of George Floyd by a white Minneapolis police officer on Memorial Day. A handful of groups said this… Continue reading
Record USDA support flowing, but farmers say more federal assistance will be needed With signup underway for $16 billion in coronavirus payments, farmers overwhelmingly say more federal aid to agriculture is needed this year, according to a Purdue University poll released on Tuesday. Fruit-packing workers strike,… Continue reading
China pauses buying U.S. ag exports, then sputters ahead On the same day that Beijing reportedly told state-run trading houses to pause purchases of U.S. farm exports, the companies bought a small amount of U.S. soybeans on Monday, according to unnamed sources. The saber-rattling pause was a sign that… Continue reading
Covid-19, ‘this global tragedy,’ flattens U.S. ag exports Throttled by pandemic, U.S. farm exports this year will barely exceed last year’s totals, wiping out hopes of a speedy recovery from trade-war losses, said the USDA. Sales to China are rising but slower than projected when the “phase one”… Continue reading
https://www.farmers.gov/cfap Coronavirus Food Assistance Program Are you a farmer or rancher whose operation has been directly impacted by the coronavirus pandemic? The Coronavirus Food Assistance Program provides direct relief to producers who faced price declines and additional marketing costs due to COVID-19. USDA is accepting applications now through August… Continue reading
Hog farms in coronavirus crisis need more aid, say producers More federal aid is needed if hog farmers are to survive the coronavirus pandemic, said pork industry leaders on Thursday. They urged the Senate to approve compensatory payments for hogs that are culled and an additional round of cash… Continue reading
As U.S. hog backup tops 2 million head, Iowa says it will help pay for carcass disposal The persisting coronavirus slowdown at pork plants has stranded 2 million hogs on the farm with no buyer, and the backlog is growing, said economist Steve Meyer on Wednesday, suggesting that some… Continue reading
China buys more, but will it be enough for ‘phase one’? The “phase one” trade agreement with China, one of President Trump’s top trade achievements, calls for Beijing to buy huge quantities of U.S. food, agricultural and seafood exports. But an Iowa think tank predicts China will buy only… Continue reading
Grocery prices rising at highest rate since 2012 Prices at supermarkets are rising at the highest rate in eight years, as the coronavirus constricts meat production and grocery chains limit sales, said the USDA in a monthly forecast. Grocery prices will rise by a higher-than-average 2.5 percent this year,… Continue reading
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