5 years, 8 months ago American Farm Bureau Federation
A poll by Farm Futures shows support to Donald Trump from farmers is slipping. The survey found that 60 percent of farmers would vote for the president if the election were held today. That's down from the 75 percent support level Trump received from growers in the 2016 election. Meanwhile, 24 percent said they would not vote for reelection and 17 percent were unsure. 78 percent of those who voted for the president in 2016 said they would still vote for him today. Trade policy appears to be the biggest sticking point as farmers and ranchers have applauded much of Trump's policy moves. 86 percent of those surveyed said Trump's move to reduce regulation is good for their farm. Even 42 percent of Clinton voters backed the president on that effort. However, just eight percent of farmers support Trump's claim that "trade wars are good and easy to win." Farm Futures surveyed 924 growers from July 20 to August 2. Farmers were invited by email to fill out an online questionnaire.
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USDA WASDE Report Increases Corn, Soybean Production
The Department of Agriculture is forecasting a record high corn yield and soybean production for 2018. This month’s 2018/19 U.S. corn outlook is for larger supplies, greater feed and residual use, increased exports, and larger ending stocks. Corn production is forecast at 14.6 billion bushels, up 356 million from the July projection. The season’s first survey-based corn yield forecast, at a record 178.4 bushels per acre, is 4.4 bushels higher than last month’s trend-based projection. The season-average corn price was projected at a range of $3.10 to $4.10 per bushel. Soybean production is forecast at 4.5 billion bushels, up 276 million on higher yields. The first survey-based soybean yield forecast of 51.6 bushels per acre is 3.1 bushels above last month and 2.5 bushels above last year. The U.S. season-average soybean price for 2018/19 is forecast at $8.90 per bushel at the midpoint, down 35 cents from last month. Finally, the outlook for wheat this month is lower supplies, greater use, and reduced stocks. Wheat production was lowered four million bushels to 1.8 billion. The projected season-average farm price range is $4.60 to $5.60 per bushel.
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Acting EPA Administrator to Visit Iowa State Fair
Acting Environmental Protection Agency Administrator Andrew Wheeler is expected to visit the Iowa State Fair. Few details regarding scheduling are available, but Wheeler’s visit is in response to a request by Iowa’s congressional delegation. The letter, sent in July, asked Wheeler to travel to Iowa to learn more about ethanol and biodiesel, as Iowa leads the nation in production of the two. The Des Moines Register reports that Iowa Governor Kim Reynolds and others are likely to push Wheeler to restore renewable fuel demand lost through hardship waivers. The waivers were granted by former EPA administrator Scott Pruitt to a substantially increased number of refiners, a move the ethanol industry contends is costing demand and undermining the Renewable Fuel Standard volume requirements.
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Global Food Prices Decline
Global food prices declined in July, according to the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations. The Monthly Food Price Index averaged 168.8 points in July 2018, down 6.5 points , or 3.7 percent from June and 10.3 points from the corresponding period last year. The July decline marked the first significant month-to-month decrease in the value since December 2017, reflecting notable drops in the values of all sub-indices. The price of cereal grains dropped 3.6 percent from June, driven by weaker export quotations for wheat, corn and rice. Vegetable oil prices dipped 4.2 percent, reflecting weaker palm and soy oil values. Meat prices were down 3.3 percent globally, due to a gradual normalization of meat exports from Brazil which was impacted by a truck drivers’ strike. Dairy prices fell 6.6 percent in July as international price quotations across all dairy commodities fell, with the sharpest declines registered for butter and cheese. Finally, sugar prices fell six percent, largely driven by improved production prospects in the main sugar producing countries.
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Court Tells EPA to Ban Chlorpyrifos
A U.S. appeals court ordered the Environmental Protection Agency to ban chlorpyrifos (clo-PEER-uh-foss) within 60 days. The decision by the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Ninth Circuit reverses a Trump administration reversal of an Obama administration plan to impose a ban. Chlorpyrifos is used on cotton, corn, almonds and fruit trees including oranges, bananas and apples, to kill worms and insects. The pesticide has been linked to learning disabilities in children, according to the Hagstrom Report. EPA previously, in 2000, banned household use of chlorpyrifos over concerns the pesticide can harm the brain and nervous system. The Environmental Working Group calls the decision a “huge victory for public health. Meanwhile, CropLife America expressed disappointment with the decision, and is hopeful “EPA will consider all avenues of appeal” after review of the decision.
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Brazilian Judge Suspends Glyphosate Use
A Brazilian judge has suspended the use of products containing glyphosate. The federal judge halted new registrations of products containing glyphosate and will suspend existing registrations while the Brazilian government reevaluates the toxicity of glyphosate products, according to Reuters. The decision, however, could face several appeals. Brazil’s public health agency, as well as the Agriculture Ministry, have announced plans to file appeals. Herbicide manufacturers contend that Brazil's farmers have been safely using glyphosate for more than 40 years. A Brazil-based agribusiness industry association representative says he "thinks the judge is wrong," adding that the industry believes “the decision will be revoked somehow.” Without glyphosate products, the industry contends “it’s impossible to do agriculture.” Brazil is the world's largest exporter of soybeans, driven largely by growing demand from China.
