Ag in the News

12/14/2007

National and International

Smithfield, Swift plants approved to export to China
USDA has listed the six pork-processing plants China agreed this week to allow to resume exporting products to China. MORE!

Farmer John promotes new natural pork line
Farmer John, a brand of the Los Angeles-based Clougherty Packing Co., which is owned by Hormel Foods, is promoting its new CALIFORNIA NATURAL line of natural pork with an emphasis on the Hispanic market. MORE!

U.S. pork exports break monthly record in October
U.S. pork exports (including variety meat) in October broke the record for a single month set in November 2006, according to USDA statistics compiled by the U.S. Meat Export Federation. MORE!

Consumers associate natural, organic with health but not taste or value
Consumers associate menu items labeled as natural, organic and sustainable with the idea of healthfulness, but not with either "good taste" or "good value" according to a new study. MORE!

Speakers announced for USDA's 2008 Agricultural Outlook Forum
USDA has announced the plenary speakers for its 84th annual Agricultural Outlook Forum, "Energizing Rural America in the Global Marketplace," Feb. 21-22, 2008, at the Crystal Gateway Marriott Hotel in Arlington, Va. MORE!

Wrap Up

Firmer overnight tone. Corn futures were 1 to 2 cents higher overnight, while soybeans were 3 to 6 cents higher. Chicago wheat was mostly firm, with nearby contracts 9 cents higher.

Senate passes energy 'lite.' The Senate stripped the tax provisions out of the energy bill and approved an energy bill 'lite' handily on Thursday evening. The bill was cleared 86-8 and will be approved by the House and President Bush has signaled he'll sign the bill. It does include a boost in the renewable fuel standard (RFS).

Farm bill should be done today. The Senate is expected to give their stamp of approval to their version of the farm bill today. The chamber acted on several amendments Thursday, rejecting ones that would have tightened payment limits and set a lower adjusted gross income test on program payment recipients. Jim Wiesemeyer looks at the situation in his Inside Washington Today column.

Informa acreage figures. The closely followed consulting firm, Informa Economics, is expected to release another update to its 2008 acreage and crop expectations. The focus continues to grow on 2008 plans by growers for corn and soybean production in particular.