Senate to give Trump a trade victory days before impeachment trial   In a sudden legislative speed-up, Majority Leader Mitch McConnell said on Tuesday the Senate will pass the United States-Mexico-Canada Agreement before the end of this week, a trade victory for President Trump days before an impeachment trial begins…. Continue reading

When USDA stops paying rent, idled land usually goes back into crops   A Reagan-era creation, the Conservation Reserve is the largest U.S. land retirement program, paying landowners an annual rent if they idle environmentally fragile cropland for 10-15 years. But when the contracts expire, most of the land goes… Continue reading

In harsh year, U.S. crop acreage shrinks 5 percent   The rainiest spring in a quarter-century slowed the planting season and helped limit U.S. farmers to their smallest crop area in five decades, said the government in assessing 2019 production. Early snowfall and icy autumn weather prevented growers from harvesting… Continue reading

‘Phase one’ with China is ‘pretty much all for the farmers,’ says Trump   With China confirming that it will sign a “phase one” trade agreement next week, President Trump said on Thursday that the pact, which will include China buying up to $50 billion a year in U.S. farm… Continue reading

Digital shoppers face a barrage of pop-ups and promos for unhealthy food   Within a few years, the average U.S. household will spend $850 annually on food and beverage purchases over the internet, according to an estimate by Nielsen and the Food Marketing Institute. On Wednesday, a consumer group warned… Continue reading

Near-unanimous Senate approval, ‘hopefully soon,’ predicted for USMCA   The Senate Finance Committee overwhelmingly approved one of President Trump’s top priorities, an updated free trade pact with Canada and Mexico, on Tuesday with Democrats claiming a share of the credit.   Grassley has good words for ‘Tariff Man’ Two years… Continue reading

South maintains clout on Ag Committee with new member   Republican Sen. Kelly Leoffler, who took office on Monday, will replace fellow Georgian David Perdue on the Senate Agriculture Committee in a step that will assure a strong southern bloc on the panel.   Burdened by debt, Borden files for… Continue reading

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