USDA Looks to Strengthen U.S. Ag Trade with Venezuela
The Trump administration is continuing to take steps to help improve market access for U.S. producers in Latin America.
USDA Undersecretary for Trade and Foreign Agricultural Affairs Luke Lindberg says the agency is helping provide humanitarian relief in Venezuela after two recent earthquakes. “The history they’ve had with our farmers and ranchers as a trading partner has been a bit of a sad story in the past decade or so. Once upon a time, Venezuela was once a top 10 ag export market for U.S. producers.”
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Heat, Floods Threaten China Crops as U.S. Farm Purchases Loom
High temperatures and heavy rain have battered China’s key corn, soybean, and cotton-growing regions since mid-July, threatening crop quality and yield losses that could boost imports of feed grains and cotton, including from the United States.
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AFBF Analyzes Potential Beef Import Impacts: Urges President Trump to Reconsider
The President’s plan to facilitate record imports of beef will have a significant impact on farmers and ranchers who are rebuilding their herds devastated by drought. American Farm Bureau Federation economists analyzed the potential consequences of increased imports in the latest Farm Bureau Intel. Also today, Farm Bureau President Zippy Duvall sent a letter to President Trump urging him to reconsider his plan to flood the market with foreign beef.
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Trump Delays 50% Tariffs on Canada for 72 Hours Pending a Deal
The Trump administration has delayed 50 per cent tariffs on a range of exports from Canada to the U.S. for at least three days.
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U.S. Army Corps of Engineers Greenlights Louisiana International Terminal on Lower Mississippi River
The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers authorized the construction of the Louisiana International Terminal on Monday. The project plans to redefine Gulf Coast trade capacity, strengthening the U.S. supply chain and accelerating American manufacturing and commerce.
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China Leads New-Crop Soybean Sales as Corn Strengthens
China dominated new-crop U.S. soybean buying last week, providing an important demand signal for growers approaching harvest. USDA reports 2026/27 soybean sales reached about 64.7 million bushels, with China purchasing roughly 53.1 million bushels.
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USMCA Trade Negotiations Vital to U.S. Agriculture Success
U.S. farmers and ranchers are closely watching the U.S.-Mexico-Canada Trade Agreement negotiations. Virginia Houston, the senior director of congressional affairs for the American Farm Bureau Federation, said Mexico and Canada as trading partners are vital to the success of U.S. farmers and ranchers.
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Soybeans Make Contract Highs on Weather, China Demand and Corn Follows: Wheat Sees Profit Taking
Chip Nellinger of Blue Reef Agri-Marketing says the rally in soybeans is being driven by China demand and weather concerns.
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USDA Announces Phased Reopening of Southern Ports for Livestock Trade
The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) is announcing a coordinated, phased reopening of southern cattle ports, contingent on Mexico’s adherence to the Joint Action Plan. Beginning August 24, 2026, USDA will open the Douglas, AZ port of entry to cattle trade, while simultaneously initiating the operational steps necessary for subsequent openings at the Santa Teresa, NM, and Columbus, NM, ports. Every animal entering the United States through these ports will undergo a full USDA inspection to ensure it is free of any signs of New World screwworm (NWS).
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Louisiana Rice Farmers Face High Yields, Low Prices During First 2026 Harvest
Gerard Frey is pleased with the rice coming through the combine this summer. He is less than satisfied with what that rice is worth.
According to Frey, a rice and crawfish farmer, first-crop rice harvest is going well. He operates with GX2 Farms, which has a little over half of their crop already in, and so far yields are generally reaching the high 40s and low 50s in barrels per acre.
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USDA Raises Cattle Price Outlook as Tight Supplies and Drought Slow Herd Rebuild
The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) is forecasting continued strength in cattle prices after lowering its beef production outlook and raising steer price projections through 2027.
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Iran Fund Dispute Raises Questions for Us Agriculture
An ag economist says uncertainty continues to surround a memorandum of understanding between the U.S. and Iran.
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Vaden: China Placing New Soybean Orders
China’s renewed demand for U.S. soybeans is providing optimism for American farmers as officials expect the country to follow through on a major purchasing commitment tied to the 2026 crop.
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Argentina Export Tax Cuts Could Pressure US Grain Markets
A grains and oil seeds analyst says Argentina’s plan to reduce export taxes could put U.S. ag commodities at a competitive disadvantage.
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Carter, Leads Call for Section 301 Investigation into Unfair Sugar Trade Practices
This week, Congressman Troy A. Carter, Sr. (D-LA) and Congresswoman Julie Fedorchak (R-ND) joined Senators John Hoeven (R-ND) and Elissa Slotkin (D-MI) to send a bipartisan, bicameral letter, along with 112 of their colleagues, in support of efforts by U.S. Trade Representative (USTR) Ambassador Jamieson Greer to utilize a Section 301 investigation into unfair and discriminatory trade practices by foreign sugar-producing countries.
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