Chinese Demand Determines Ag Purchases – January 16, 2020

Ag purchases from U.S. will hinge on Chinese demand, says vice premier

The “phase one” trade agreement with China assures sales of “up to $50 billion in agriculture alone,” said President Trump at a White House signing ceremony on Wednesday, although Chinese Vice Premier Liu He said sales would depend on domestic demand and U.S. prices. A senior administration official said later that the pact did not require China to remove retaliatory tariffs on U.S. farm goods — a potential barrier to exports.

USDA payments on corn and wheat more likely with PLC

After looking at the latest USDA price projections for corn, wheat, and soybeans, and taking into account price patterns for the crops, five university economists say the Price Loss Coverage subsidy is a better choice for growers than the Agricultural Risk Coverage subsidy for corn and wheat grown this year.

Talks & Eats – Manhattan – Surf ‘n’ Turf: Can our seafood survive Big Ag and climate change?

As oceans warm, our major fisheries are shifting. At the same time, farm runoff is contributing to dead zones from the Gulf of Mexico to Long Island. Both of these issues – climate change and farming practices – affect the health of ocean ecosystems and, ultimately, the seafood that winds up on our plates. Join moderator and best-selling author Paul Greenberg for a stimulating discussion Feb. 10, 2020, 7:30 p.m., at Subculture in Greenwich Village. VIP reception with drinks and bites beforehand.

TODAY’S QUICK HITS

Turning up the heat (New York Times): Researchers at NASA and NOAA confirmed Wednesday that 2019 was the second-hottest year on record, just slightly cooler than 2016 and the capstone of the warmest decade in history.

Sustainable skyscrapers? (Vox): A trendy new building material is becoming popular for sustainable construction in the United States: Wood, cross-laminated timber is said to equal or exceed the performance of concrete and steel, and could reduce construction’s carbon footprint.

Judge upholds foie gras ban (HSUS): A U.S. district court judge ruled against the latest challenge to California’s ban on the sale of foie gras, saying a lawsuit by producers failed to bring new arguments to the issue.

Tough times for desert tortoises (KUNC): As the climate turns hotter and drier, desert tortoises in the U.S. Southwest are running out of water, while development, including solar farms, is reducing their habitat.

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