Corn Standoff: When Could U.S. Growers Have an Answer on Mexico’s GMO Corn Ban?
The ongoing dispute with Mexico over genetically engineered corn has been a significant issue for some time.
U.S. Trade Representative Ambassador Doug McKalip reaffirmed the U.S. commitment to resolving the issue, expecting a decision this fall. The dispute began after Mexico’s plan to block genetically engineered corn imports triggered concerns among U.S. corn growers. McKalip emphasized the broader impact on ag trade saying, “We cannot allow trading partners to play loose with the science.”
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China Faces Soybean Glut as Peak U.S. Export Season Nears
China is facing an oversupply of soybeans as record high purchases boost stockpiles at a time when animal feed demand remains subdued, with prices of products such as soyoil and soymeal set to sink even lower.
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Higgins, Carter Introduce Legislation Giving FDA Authority To Destroy Contaminated Imported Seafood
Clay Higgins and Troy Carter, congressmen from opposite sides of the aisle, have introduced a new bill that would give the Food and Drug Administration authority to destroy imported products that pose a significant public health concern, specifically contaminated seafood, the pair said in a release Thursday.
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Record U.S. Agricultural Trade Deficit Forecasted to Keep Growing
After decades of substantial U.S. agricultural trade surpluses, staggering agricultural trade deficits over the past two years have caught the nation’s attention. For fiscal year 2024 (October 2023 – September 2024), USDA’s Economic Research Service estimates that there will be a record $32 billion agricultural trade deficit.
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Could Cuba Be a New Destination for Louisiana’s Poultry and Rice Crop?
Trade is important to Louisiana agriculture. The Louisiana Commissioner of Ag recently visited Cuba, scouting it as a possible destination for Louisiana poultry and rice.
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Is China Avoiding US Commodities As A Political Stunt?
U.S. Agriculture Secretary Tom Vilsack implied that China may be favoring Brazilian corn and soybeans partly in retaliation against recent restrictions on ownership of American farmland.
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What Will the Collapse of Baltimore’s Key Bridge Mean for Agriculture?
On March 26, a container ship rammed into Baltimore’s Francis Scott Key Bridge resulting in the structure’s collapse and the tragic loss of six construction workers. Aside from the everlasting impacts to the families that lost loved ones, the destroyed bridge has physically cut off key coal, container and automobile terminals at the Port of Baltimore from the outside world. In 2021, the port’s terminals processed over 37 million short tons of combined import and export product. This ranks the Port of Baltimore 17th in terms of cargo throughput in the United States.
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Total US Soy Exports Add $39.8 Billion To US Economy In 22/23
U.S. Soy complex exports (whole soybean, soybean meal and soybean oil) added $39.8 billion[1] to the U.S. economy in marketing year (MY) 22/23 on a volume of 67.6 million metric tons (MMT). The shining star: U.S. soybean meal exports broke records for both volume and value at 13.2 MMT and $6.91 billion, respectively.
“U.S. Soy exports in marketing year 22/23 were nothing short of extraordinary. A standout achievement was the record-breaking performance of soybean meal exports, reaching unprecedented volume and value levels,” said Steve Reinhard, United Soybean Board Chair and Ohio farmer.
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What Drought Means For Panama Canal & US Exports
Your immediate concern for 2024 may be whether soil moisture fully recharges in your area before spring. However, another far-reaching impact from the drought occurring thousands of miles from your farm could also influence grain prices. Lack of moisture also affects transportation options and costs for grain headed for export.
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Port NOLA Awarded $73.77 Million U.S. DOT Grant for Louisiana International Terminal
The Port of New Orleans (Port NOLA) will receive $73.77 million from the federal government to assist in building the Louisiana International Terminal (LIT) project, which will provide an efficient gateway for the movement of cargo on the Mississippi River and the inland waterways of the United States.
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Low Water Levels May Plague Agriculture This Fall and Winter
From the Mississippi River to the Panama Canal, this year’s drought has resulted in low water levels that are likely to disrupt agricultural production and trade through at least the end of the year.
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Port of South Louisiana signs Memorandum of Understanding with Ukraine Sea Ports Authority
Today, the Port of South Louisiana (PortSL) and Ukraine Sea Ports Authority (USPA) signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU), launching a cooperative alliance directed at technical guidance toward planning, development, construction, administration, and operation and maintenance of port infrastructure, particularly when reconstruction begins in Ukraine. This non-binding agreement was signed by PortSL CEO Paul Matthews and USPA-head Yurii Lytvyn (not in attendance) and witnessed by Ukraine Consul General Vitalii Tarasiuk, Consul for Economic Issues Pavlo Moiseischenko, PortSL Commissioners Katie Klibert, D. Paul Robichaux, and Joey Murray, and PortSL staff.
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Non-Basmati White Rice Shortages Hit Stores Across US
"This is just another example of India playing games with global food security, citing concerns over domestic supplies despite tens of millions of metric tons in government stocks in addition to what's stored privately," said Bobby Hanks, a Louisiana rice miller and chair of the USA Rice International Trade Policy Committee.
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Why Does The Black Sea Grain Deal's Expiry Matter?
A deal allowing Ukraine to export grain via the Black Sea will expire at the end of Monday after Russia said it will suspend its participation.
The deal, brokered by the United Nations and Turkey last July, aimed to alleviate a global food crisis by allowing Ukrainian grain blocked by the Russia-Ukraine conflict to be exported safely.
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Mississippi River Dredging Project Enters Final Phase, To Bring Savings to Farmers
How can making the Mississippi River deeper by five feet in south Louisiana make a difference? For farmers across the country, it could mean millions of dollars saved. A dredging project from Baton Rouge to the Gulf of Mexico of just five feet means an additional 500 thousand bushels of grain can be put on ships headed around the world.
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