Ag in the News

04/03/2008

National

Neb. town's mayor threatens shutdown of JBS-Swift plant
The mayor of Grand Island, Neb., told JBS-Swift officials that the company's plant there could be shut down if ongoing wastewater problems were not resolved, the Grand Island Independent reported. MORE!

USDA IDs new benefits of animal ID system
The U.S. Department of Agriculture's Ag Marketing Service (AMS) on Wednesday went a step further to encourage the widespread use of its National Animal Identification System (NAIS). The agency rolled out a draft business plan that shows how the NAIS will be integrated with AMSA's other marketing programs, such as the USDA Process Verified, the Quality Systems Assessment and the Non-Hormone Treated Cattle Programs. MORE!

American adds Boar's Head products to in-flight menus
American Airlines earlier this week announced that it is testing new food-for-purchase items on domestic flights, including several Boar's Head products. MORE!

USDA ups bovine TB-eradication funding by almost $17 million
The U.S. Department of Agriculture on Wednesday announced the availability of $16.8 million in emergency funding to continue efforts to eradicate bovine tuberculosis in California, Michigan and Minnesota. MORE!

N.C. pilot program transforms hog waste into electricity
Registration is open for North Carolina's Swine Farm Methane Capture Pilot Program, which will choose up to 50 farms to sell electricity converted from hog waste's methane gas. MORE!

Wrap Up

Weekly Export Sales this morning. For the week ended March 27, traders expect: wheat sales from 450,000 to 650,000 MT; corn sales from 550,000 to 750,000 MT; soybean sales from 350,000 to 750,000 MT; meal sales from 100,000 to 175,000 MT; soyoil sales from 10,000 to 25,000 MT; and cotton sales from 250,000 to 350,000 running bales.

Farm bill funding deal close? USDA Secretary Ed Schafer told the National Cattlemen's Beef Association that things are close to a deal on funding extra spending in the farm bill beyond the budget baseline, but the policy questions remain mostly unresolved. He also said that if an extension is needed for the bill, the administration backs a two-year extension of the 2002 Farm Bill.

Argy farmers put strike on hold. Argentine farmers have called a halt to their strike for 30 days to engage in negotiations with the country's government. It's still not clear if that will be enough time for the two sides to come to terms on the issue of the increased export taxes that started the turmoil in the first place.

China letting some prices rise. Chinese regulators have approved price increases for milk and cooking oil, a move some say reflects a government view that inflationary pressures may be easing in the country. China capped prices for a host of products earlier this year, requiring any price increases to be approved by the government first.