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.

AFIA strongly urges passage of Free Trade Agreements

The American Feed Industry Association (AFIA) strongly urges Congress to pass the Free Trade Agreements (FTAs) with Panama, Korea and Colombia. Increasing export opportunities is a top priority for the US feed industry and AFIA urges congressional action on all three FTAs as soon as possible. Ratifying the agreements will increase American competitiveness while removing barriers to US goods entering these markets.

“AFIA applauds the efforts thus far, but we encourage passage of all three FTAs,” explained Joel G. Newman, president and CEO of AFIA. “While the country wrestles with a struggling economy, any trade agreement that has the potential to create American jobs and expand US exports really makes sense.” 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

Significant changes to the farm bill are likely in 2012

“Changes in the 2012 Farm Bill appear both likely and may be significant, if not radical,” says Jon Scholl, president of American Farmland Trust (AFT). “Our country’s economic situation will be the most significant driver and agent of change in the 2012 Farm Bill.”

The Wall Street Journal reports that Standard & Poor’s has just lowered its outlook on the government’s debt level to negative the first time for such a rating. The article also notes the federal government is just weeks shy of hitting its US$14.2 trillion (€ 9.719 trillion ) debt ceiling authorized by Congress. Read more ...

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

Canadian Court finalizes Colombia Free Trade Deal

Last week, Canada's Constitutional Court gave the go-ahead to place into effect a free trade agreement between Canada and Colombia. The agreement could take effect as soon as July 1. The National Association of Wheat Growers is quick to point out the Colombia-Canada agreement has moved with lighting speed compared to a similar measure negotiated between Colombia and the US that has yet to be sent to Congress for approval.

The US market share has already been reduced because of trade preferences Colombia enjoys with Argentina. In fact, while Colombian flour millers tell US Wheat Associates they want to be able to keep buying US wheat, the tariff disadvantage the US product will face will force them to buy from Canada, costing US wheat producers nearly US$100 million per year. Read more ...

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

Tight money may trim crop subsidies

Congress may push idle cropland back into production or get rid of a US$5 billion-a-year subsidy to grain, cotton and soybean farmers when it overhauls US farm law, a House committee chairman said on Wednesday.

Lawmakers will have billions of dollars less to spend on the so-called farm bill than in 2008, Agriculture Committee Chairman Frank Lucas said. "There will be some stuff that falls off the table" as priorities are set for funding.

Interviewed at the Reuters Global Food and Agriculture Summit, Lucas used the 32 million-acre Conservation Reserve, which idles fragile cropland, and the US$5 billion-a-year "direct payment" as examples of items that could be hit by fiscal austerity or become a target in wide-open House debate. Read more ...

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

Vilsack warns farmers of pending budget cuts

U.S. Agriculture Secretary Tom Vilsack strongly hinted Monday to the nation's largest farm lobbying group that large budget deficits will require spending cuts. However, Vilsack did not explain in detail how cuts might affect the budget of the U.S. Agriculture Department and its programs. His remarks come as U.S. farmers are searching for signals about what programs Congress might trim or curtail in the next Farm Bill expected next year.

That legislation sets the federal government's financial support for the agriculture sector. "It's fairly clear. I'm not going to tell you something that you haven't already heard from your leadership," Vilsack told the annual convention of the American Farm Bureau Federation. "When you're dealing with having to reduce deficits, you're going to have to make difficult choices."

During his remarks, Vilsack highlighted a federal effort to expand a crop insurance program without increasing the financial exposure for the government. He said the effort saved money that will be used to reduce the spending shortfall. "We cannot continue to sustain high deficits," said Vilsack, who did not take questions. "So everyone's going to have to do their part." Read more...

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

USDOT issues proposal to resolve truck dispute with Mexico

• A proposal was issued today by the U.S. Department of Transportation to provide the framework for negotiations to resolve the cross-border trucking dispute with Mexico. The concept proposal identifies issues related to truck safety issues.

• Included: requirements that drivers have good driving records and understand U.S. and state driving laws; drivers can speak sufficient English; vehicles are safe to drive and comply with emissions standards; vehicles be inspected and carriers have safety management programs in place.

The Obama administration has released a concept paper intended to pave the way to ending the nearly two-year-long dispute of the Cross Border Trucking Pilot Program. Western Growers has worked with several federal agencies including USDA, the Department of Transportation, and the Office of the U.S. Trade Representative since March of 2009, to resolve this dispute as the specialty crop industry, particularly producers of grapes, pears, and strawberries have seen sales to Mexico drop considerably due to the retaliatory tariffs levied by Mexico on these, and other, U.S. agricultural products. U.S. Department of Agriculture Secretary Tom Vilsack phoned Western Growers President and CEO Tom Nassif this morning telling him of the announcement.

“We welcome this news as a positive first step in resolving a serious problem that has been detrimental to many of our growers and shippers in California and Arizona,” said Nassif.  “It is our hope that the United States government will reach a favorable agreement with Mexico and that the U.S. Congress will be ready and willing to consider and support a plan that is reasonable and fair.” Read more...

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

Feed ingredients association comments on GIPSA rule

The United States Department of Agriculture (USDA), proposed rules about contracts between the meat processing industry and farmers and ranchers, will distort traditional economic relationships and far exceeds the intent of Congress, the American Feed Industry Association (AFIA) said Monday in comments filed on the Grain Inspection Packers & Stockyards Act (GIPSA).

AFIA president and CEO Joel G. Newman went on to say that the new rules would force more producers into the volatile cash market where it will be more difficult to secure financing. Because many producers cannot survive in an unstable market, many rural jobs face elimination, concentrating power in the hands of packers. Read more...