24/10/13: K-State's cattle feed webinar; US government shutdown ends; CHS releases grain mobile app

On the 29 October 2013, Kansas State University (KSU), USA will host a webinar that focuses on the use of controversial feed supplement Zilmax, formerly known as zilpaterol hydrocholoride. 

Led by Chris Reinhardt, extension feedlot specialist, K-State Research and Extension, the webinar will look at the effect Zilmax has on the cattle feed industry.

Although Zilmax is approved by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA), US meat packer Tyson recently suspended its purchase of the supplement following animal welfare concerns.

Read the full K-state announcement here.

Following a 16 day political battle that saw the US Agriculture Department (USDA) suspend its flow of statistical reports, Barack Obama, president, USA has signed a bill to end the federal government shutdown.

The US Agriculture Department (USDA) has stopped its flood of statistical reports on the second day of a government shutdown. - See more at: http://gfmt.blogspot.co.uk/2013/10/03102013-second-day-of-us-government.html#sthash.YMIIu5tI.dpuf

The US Agriculture Department (USDA) has stopped its flood of statistical reports on the second day of a government shutdown. - See more at: http://gfmt.blogspot.co.uk/2013/10/03102013-second-day-of-us-government.html#sthash.YMIIu5tI.dpuf

Weeks of bitter political fighting gave way to a frenzied night in Washington on 16 October as Congress passed the bill that will  prevent the country from crashing into debt. 

"Now that conferees have been named, it is time for the committee to get down to business and take action to bring certainty to our family farmers, ranchers, fishermen, rural residents and hungry neighbors," said Roger Johnson, National Farmers Union (NFU) president. 

More information.

Leading farmer-owned grain company CHS Inc. has released a new grain trading mobile application. 

As well as providing market information, the free app also offers access to CHS grain terminals, soybean processing plants and select service center bids.

"We're excited to share our CHS grain trading mobile app, making it even easier for producers to manage aspects of their marketing when and where it's convenient for them," says Rick Dusek, vice president, CHS grain marketing-North America.

Read the full release here. 

Official photographic portrait of US President Barack Obama who assumed office 20 January 2009 (Photo credit: Wikipedia)

23/04/2013: CBH loses transport monopoly; Obama's budget proposes changes to crop insurance; Russia less dependent on grain for feed production

CBH Group has been stripped of its grain transport mono­poly, paving the way for multinational rivals including Glencore and Cargill to cut cheaper deals with freight operators and potentially improve profits for farmers.

The Australian Competition Tribunal on Friday upheld a decision by the competition regulator in 2011 that stripped CBH of its ability to force farmers and grain marketers that use its extensive farm storage facilities to use its transport arm, Grain Express, to get their grain to port.

CBH appealed the ACCC at the Australian Competition Tribunal.

It will mean rival grain marketers including Glencore, Cargill's AWB and Emerald can source alternative train and road freight suppliers. 

Read more...

President Barack Obama's FY2014 budget proposal was submitted to Congress Wednesday, being met with open opposition from the Republican side of the aisle for proposed spending and revenue increases and more muted grumbling from Democrats for proposed trims in cost-of-living increases to entitlement programs such as Medicare.

For agriculture, the president's budget proposal is a mixed bag. Overall, the Department of Agriculture would receive nearly $22 billion in discretionary funding, a decrease of $1.2 billion over 2012 funding levels. The entire 2014 USDA budget would be $145.8 billion. 

Related to farm programs, the document reprises proposals to cut crop insurance support and eliminate direct payments, which officials said would save $37.8 billion over the 10-year budget window. These topics are expected to be central to continued discussions leading toward a new, long-term farm bill. 

As expected, the Obama Administration proposal suggests elimination of the Food for Peace (PL-480) program, aiming to shift from a system of shipping U.S. commodities directly to countries in need.

Read more... 

Russia's use of grain in producing compound feed is slowly declining, according to Valery Afanasiev, head of the Russian Feed Producers Union (FPU). 

"About five to six years ago, the grain content in Russian feed production amounted to 75 -76 percent, now it has decreased to 68 percent. This is average value, as the ratio of feed ingredients varies considerably depending on the particular livestock sector," said Afanasiev.

Read more... 

Cargill grain elevator and terminal (Photo credit: Wikipedia)

U.S. Wheat Industry Welcomes U.S-Colombia FTA Implementation Date

“We are extremely pleased to see this FTA set for implementation,” said Alvaro de la Fuente, U.S. Wheat Associates (USW) regional vice president for South America. The U.S. wheat industry welcomes the announcement by U.S. President Barack Obama and Colombian President Juan Manuel Santos that the countries will implement the U.S.-Colombia free trade agreement (FTA) on May 15. The U.S.-Colombia FTA is vital to the wheat industry’s efforts to rebuild market share in one of the largest markets for U.S. wheat in South America.  “Our extensive efforts over the nearly six years since the agreement was first signed have finally become a reality and U.S. wheat exports will now compete on an equal basis with other major exporters.”

Read more

This blog is written by Darren Parris, The Global Miller, published and supported by the GFMT Magazine and the International Milling Directory from Perendale Publishers. To get your copy of 'PPLAPP' click here.

NGFA urges Congress stop rail strike

The National Grain and Feed Association (NGFA) in the US is urging Congress to prevent the national freight rail strike that could be potentially 'calamitous' if it occur at the start of December 6. President Obama on October 6, established a Presidential Emergency Board and an additional cooling-off period to provide time for the nation’s Class I railroads and unions to reach agreement. Read more ...

This blog is written by Martin Little, The Global Miller, published and supported by the GFMT Magazine and the International Milling Directory from Perendale Publishers.

US wheat associates touts US - Latin America trade relationship

US Wheat Associates (USW) says President Obama’s recent visit to Brazil, Chile and El Salvador highlighted the special trade relationship that the US shares with its Latin American neighbours. For example, Latin America accounted for more than seven million metric tons (mmt) of US wheat exports in 2009-2010, roughly one-third of all US wheat exports that marketing year.

In Brazil, the two governments signed a trade and economic co-operation agreement (TECA). This agreement establishes a US-Brazil Commission on Economic and Trade Relations, which will work to reduce barriers to trade and promote economic growth. TECAs are often the first step in the process of exploring and negotiating free trade agreements (FTAs). Read more ...

This blog is written by Martin Little The Global Miller, published and supported by the GFMT Magazine from Perendale Publishers.