Americans are expected to spend nearly $19 billion on Valentine’s Day gifts and activities this year. That breaks down to $130.97 per person. None of this would be possible without Texas agriculture. Whatever you are planning for your loved one this Valentine’s Day, there’s a good chance that agriculture will… Continue reading
Trump tariff payments bolster farmer income Although AG bankers in the Midwest and Plains say the administration’s multi-billion dollar trade war payments were a boon to farmers and ranchers, some lenders are still concerned about underlying weaknesses in the sector. Although it’s still small, interest in plant-based diets is growing,… Continue reading
Give trade agreements time to work, says FCA chief The chairman of the Farm Credit Administration appealed for Farm Belt patience on Trump trade agreements on Wednesday. “The groundwork has been laid for trade normalization and improved farm prices,” said Glen Smith during a House Appropriations subcommittee hearing. … Continue reading
Limited initial impact on U.S. ag exports from China deal The “phase one” China-U.S. trade agreement, which takes effect at the end of this week, calls for China to buy $40 billion a year of U.S. food, agricultural, and seafood products this year and in 2021. Yet there will… Continue reading
White House renews call for broader work rules for SNAP The Trump administration proposed a 29 percent cut in food stamps on Monday, to be achieved by requiring more recipients to work at least 20 hours a week and by providing some benefits in the form of a box… Continue reading
Organic AG largely avoided trade-war hit (Stateline): Organic farmers are far less reliant on ag exports than conventional growers and they suffered less from the Sino-U.S. trade war; some qualified for Trump’s trade-war bailout. Funding for fight against locusts (FAO): The Africa Solidarity Trust donated $1 million to combat… Continue reading
Amid growing interest in hemp, USDA stands firm on rules A lot of farmers will give industrial hemp a try this year, the first time cultivation is allowed nationwide, USDA officials predicted on Thursday. But they said there was no way they could allow more THC in hemp despite… Continue reading
U.S. heads for highest farm income in seven years Thanks to a steady recovery, U.S. farm income this year will be the highest since 2013, the peak of the commodity boom, said the government on Wednesday. The USDA forecast net farm income, a broad measure of profits, at $96.7 billion… Continue reading
Trump backs high-speed internet access, ‘especially’ in rural America With rural Americans continuing to suffer a digital divide, President Trump said on Tuesday that he was committed to ensuring “every citizen can have access to high-speed internet, including — and especially in — rural America.” Farmer sentiment rose with China… Continue reading
‘Tough year,’ says Perdue as USDA boosts trade-war payments to $14.5 billion At the same time he saluted the de-escalation of the Sino-U.S. trade war, Agriculture Secretary Sonny Perdue announced on Monday the release of $3.6 billion in trade-war payments to farmers and ranchers. The money will raise the… Continue reading
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