Podcast: Trade is a Many Splendored Thing- with Vince Peterson
Washington Grain Commission – 03/26/2019
ifty to seventy-five cents per bushel—that’s how much Vince Peterson, president of U.S. Wheat Associates, estimates the China trade dispute has cost U.S. wheat farmers over the last year. Although there is room for optimism if a trade deal is secured, he said it’s still unclear how the tariff war is going to play out. In episode 118, entitled: “Trade Is A Many Splendored Thing—With Vince Peterson”, the USW president talks about ongoing efforts by the organization to soothe ruffled feathers elsewhere around the world, especially in Mexico, where buyers made a concerted effort last year to buy wheat from origins other than the U.S.
US Wheat and Barley are Losing Japanese Market Share Fast
Agri-Pulse – 03/27/2019
ext week is going to start off with a thud and not an April Fools’ Day joke when Japan further lowers tariffs on wheat and barley from Australia, Canada and European Union countries. Those nations’ exporters are already trying to steal U.S. market share in Japan and, come Apr. 1, Japan will make it even easier for them to do so as it follows through on promises in trade pacts that do not include the U.S. That pact — the Comprehensive and Progressive Agreement for Trans-Pacific Partnership (CPTPP) — officially started in December and the Japan-EU free trade agreement initiated in February. Japan reduced its tariffs and increased its quotas for barley and wheat immediately under both deals and is set to do so again Apr. 1…After Apr. 1, U.S. wheat will cost about $20 per metric ton more than the grain from CPTPP and European countries, says Ben Conner, vice president for policy at the U.S. Wheat Associates — that’s about 55 cents per bushel — and the ramifications will be severe.
The U.S. sells about 3 million metric tons of wheat to Japan every year and while many Japanese customers will be hesitant to accept substitutes that aren’t quite what U.S. farmers produce, the dramatic price drops are certain to steal away U.S. market share. USW spokesman Steve Mercer said the group expects that U.S. wheat exports to Japan could be cut in half in four or five years.
Opinion: Farm Bill Advances Ag Data Analysis: Now What? An Open Letter to USDA
Agri-Pulse – 3/25/2019
We are on the cusp of a critical leap forward in agriculture related to data. This advancement will provide critical information to farmers who are working continuously to produce more using fewer resources. Improved data analysis will also help us extract meaning from data already being collected but not being utilized to its fullest potential. We know many on-farm practices are benefiting the environment, and this data could help verify them. This leap is provided for in the 2018 farm bill. It requires USDA to produce a report that outlines data currently collected about conservation practices and the effects of those practices on crop yields, farm and ranch profitability, and soil health. USDA must then summarize the data and steps needed to provide secure data access to university researchers. Additionally, the farm bill calls for improved crop insurance guidance on cover crops, which would support conservation adoption on more acres.
Reimbursement for Grain Lost in Flooding may be Question for Congress
Successful Farming – 03/26/2019
The government has an indemnity program for livestock killed by storms and flood, but nothing to compensate growers for grain lost to flooding. The issue took center stage Monday at an agriculture roundtable confronting the blizzard and flooding losses in Nebraska, a leading corn, cattle, and soybean state. Governor Pete Ricketts opened the meeting on Monday by saying, “We’ve never seen a natural disaster of this scope.” President Trump issued disaster declarations covering most of Iowa and Nebraska last week because of widespread storms and flooding. Federal forecasters say there is potential for moderate or major flooding in 25 states with the Northern Plains and upper Mississippi River basin at greatest risk this spring.
Video: 2019 Ag & Food Policy Summit: What’s the Future for Beginning Farmers
Agri-Pulse – 03/25/2019
Five producers from a wide variety of production methods join Agri-Pulse’s Spencer Chase for a discussion on what it took to be successful in the early stages of their careers. Hear more from Illinois dairy farmer Michael Turley, Maryland vineyard operator Shelby Watson-Hampton, Indiana farmer crop Kyle Tom, Virginia first-generation farmer John Shepard, and Maryland organic farmer Luke Howard.
Source: U.S. Wheat Associates