Farmers growing skeptical of victory in Sino-U.S. trade war – December 2, 2020

Farmers growing skeptical of victory in Sino-U.S. trade war

American farmers were dogged supporters of President Trump’s trade war with China, accepting as “patriot farmers” the pain of retaliatory tariffs in the belief Beijing would be forced to alter its trade practices. But they are becoming skeptical of victory: Only half of them believe the trade war will be resolved to their benefit.

 

Corn export boom to China likely to soften by fall 2021

China is buying huge amounts of U.S. corn as it rebuilds its hog herd and recovers from the pandemic but its appetite for imports could weaken by next fall, when U.S. farmers are expected to harvest their second-largest crop ever, said University of Illinois economists on Tuesday.

 

Farmworker advocates challenge H-2A pay freeze in court

In a lawsuit accusing the Trump administration of trying to suppress wages, farmworker groups asked a federal judge to set aside a Labor Department rule for agricultural guestworkers that could cut their earnings by $170 million over a decade.

 

A novel approach to deforestation may offer a pandemic safety net

A novel conservation group in western Borneo offers healthcare services and training in sustainable farming to curb illegal logging. In the process, the group may have come up with a blueprint to stop diseases from making the deadly leap between wildlife and people.

 

Today’s Quick Hits

 

Grocery spending remains high: Consumer spending at grocery stores, after spiking in the early days of the coronavirus pandemic, “is still running about 15 percent higher” than usual, putting upward pressure on prices.  But food inflation should be back to its normal, modest level by late 2021, said Purdue economist Jayson Lusk at a Chicago Federal Reserve Bank conference. (FERN’s Ag Insider)

 

Scott gets nod for House Ag chair: The House Democratic Steering Committee chose Rep. David Scott of Georgia over Rep. Jim Costa of California on a 32-19 vote as its nominee for House Agriculture chairman in 2021; the Democratic caucus will vote on the recommendation on Thursday. (The Hill)

 

In rural hospitals, doctors treat friends: In the small hospitals of rural America, everyone knows everyone so doctors and nurses treat relatives and friends. (Associated Press)

 

Hemp insurance available in more states: Crop insurance for industrial hemp will expand to four states — Arizona, Arkansas, Nevada and Texas — and to additional counties in the 13 states already approved for coverage, said the USDA. (Risk Management Agency)

 

Amazon deforestation at 12-year high: Brazil’s space agency says deforestation in the Amazon exceeded 11,000 hectares in the year ending in July, a 9.5 percent increase from the previous year and the largest figure since 2008. (CNN)

 

Bookmark the permalink.