USDA approves state hemp production plans   For all its cachet as a potential money-making crop for American farmers, industrial hemp ranked midway between safflower and flaxseed in plantings, with an estimated 230,000 acres in 2019, and industry leaders disagree whether 2020 will be a year of expansion or retrenchment…. Continue reading

AmericasFarmReport.com is taking a break for the Christmas holiday break and will resume with reports & policy briefs on Jan. 6, 2020. We wish you the best this Christmas season and Happy New Year. Continue reading

Brazil says Trump changed his mind on steel and aluminum tariffs   Three weeks after he slammed Brazil and Argentina for actions “not good for our farmers,” President Trump reversed his decision to impose high tariffs on steel and aluminum imported from the South American nations, said Brazilian President Jair… Continue reading

EPA issues biofuel mandate, is accused of breaking a deal on ethanol   Less than two weeks before the new year, the EPA said it modified the Renewable Fuel Standard to ensure that “a net of 15 billion gallons” of corn ethanol is blended into gasoline in 2020. But ethanol… Continue reading

PRESS RELEASE December 19, 2019 FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE Emily Hytha (202) 225-0317 Conaway: USMCA Delivers a Huge Win for Americans Washington, D.C. –Thursday, the House of Representatives voted to ratify the United States-Mexico-Canada Trade Agreement (USMCA) by an overwhelming vote of 385-41. House Agriculture Committee Ranking Member K. Michael Conaway… Continue reading

USDA Highlights Investments and Accomplishments in 2019 to Build Rural Prosperity WASHINGTON, Dec. 19, 2019 – USDA Deputy Under Secretary for Rural Development Donald “DJ” LaVoy today highlighted major accomplishments and investments that are building prosperity and strengthening the nation’s rural businesses and communities. “Under the leadership of President Donald… Continue reading

House to start ‘new NAFTA’ on its way to reality   The Democratic-controlled House is set to approve one of President Trump’s top priorities today — an updated North American trade pact — a day after impeaching him. The Senate is not expected to give final congressional approval to the… Continue reading

House revives biodiesel tax credit two years after it expired Congress is on the verge of retroactive restoration of the $1-a-gallon biodiesel tax credit, a result of the last-minute inclusion of a package of tax breaks in a mammoth government funding bill. The House passed the bill on Tuesday, and… Continue reading

Government funding bill has $1.5 billion for ag disaster relief   The House will vote as early as Tuesday on a mammoth government funding bill that allots an additional $1.5 billion for disaster relief for agriculture and rejects the 25 percent cut in SNAP benefits proposed by President Trump. The… Continue reading

Sino-U.S. trade deal: Big numbers, few details, many questions for ag   Although President Trump declared “a very large Phase One Deal with China,” the White House put few agricultural details in writing over the weekend, saying the agreement calls for “substantial purchases” of farm exports, rather than the quadrupling… Continue reading