Commodity Classic

RVO Crossroads: How EPA’s Biofuel Decision Could Reshape Grain Markets This Spring

Fri, 27 Feb 2026 21:41:51 GMT

At Commodity Classic this week, the biofuels debate moved from Washington talking points to farm-gate math. With EPA’s proposed Renewable Volume Obligations now sitting at the White House for review, the outcome is poised to ripple through soybean oil crush margins, renewable diesel run rates and, ultimately, how many acres farmers devote to corn and soybeans this spring.

During a live taping of U.S. Farm Report, analysts Arlan Suderman of StoneX, Chip Flory of AgriTalk and Naomi Blohm of Total Farm Marketing by Stewart-Peterson made it clear: this isn’t just about percentages on a policy sheet. It’s about whether renewable diesel plants jump from 60% to near full capacity, whether USDA’s 17-billion-pound soybean oil forecast proves tight, and whether growers need to “buy acres” before planters roll.

In a market perched at technical resistance and staring down seasonal headwinds, timing may matter as much as the final RVO number. A bold, immediate reallocation of small refinery exemptions could ignite demand and shift acreage battles overnight. A slower rollout, or even delayed clarity, could leave spring planting decisions hanging in the balance.

Five Scenarios and a Need for Certainty

“There’s plenty of talk, but we don’t know for sure,” Suderman says of the pending RVO announcement. “But we have some ideas on what it’s going to be.”

After years of small refinery exemptions (SREs) hanging over the market, EPA has now cleared exemptions dating back to 2016. That removes what Suderman described as a lingering weight on the industry. But the key question now is reallocation.

“There’s about five different scenarios that could still come out of this,” he explains. “So there is a lot of variability.”

The most widely discussed outcome would reallocate 50% of exempted volumes back to larger refiners. But Suderman noted that number could reach 75%, and some industry participants still hope for 100%.

“What we expect to happen is 50%, possibly up to 75% of the small refinery exemptions would be put back in for larger refineries,” he says. “Now what we don’t know is over how many years that’ll be. Will it be over one year, two years or four years? So that makes a big difference.”

Another unresolved issue is the RIN credit for imported feedstocks.

“What we don’t know is what will they do with the 50% RIN credit for imported feedstock,” Suderman says. “There’s a lot of pressure to move that back up to 100%. It could be something in between. It could be one year it’s one thing, the other year it’s another.”

Despite the uncertainty, Suderman sees most scenarios as constructive.

“Regardless, we see most all the possible scenarios here as being positive,” he says. “The biggest thing is not what the numbers say, but just having certainty.”

And once that certainty arrives, the production response could follow quickly.

“It’s going to take 45 to 60 days, we feel like, to really get the industry going,” he says. However, with RIN values rallying, “yesterday we got RINs up high enough that we can start profitably making renewable diesel. So we may ramp it up a little bit quicker.”

Suderman expects a finalized decision from EPA by the end of March , which is a timeline even EPA has stated.

Even 50% Is a Win?

Flory has been in direct conversations with biofuel leaders at Commodity Classic, including representatives from the Renewable Fuels Association and Clean Fuels Alliance America.

“The buzz is that it’s going to be half,” Flory says. “Sometimes the buzz isn’t right… Could be up to 75%. I think there’s still hope that it is going to 100%.”

But even at 50%, he sees progress.

“In my mind, with the way the trend was going, even at 50% reallocation, I’m going to call it a win for the industry,” Flory says.

He emphasizes that the RVO ruling outweighs other ethanol policy wins.

“The RVO decision, I think, is so important,” he says. “It’s more important in my mind than E-15 getting it done.”

The reason is immediate demand potential. Biomass-based diesel refiners have been operating at sharply reduced rates.

“They were running at what, Arlan, 60% capacity?” Flory asked during the discussion. “If we all of a sudden have to ramp this back up to 90%, 95%,” Flory continues, “we’re going to use all 17 billion pounds of bean oil in the year ahead that USDA says we’re going to.”

Markets Sitting at Resistance

Blohm believes the market has already begun factoring in future biofuel demand, but she questions how aggressively policymakers will move.

“If we came out with this information and they said it’s going to be full bore, sooner than later, the market still could respond with higher values,” she says

However, she also pointed to inflation sensitivities.

“There’s also the balance of governments wanting to not have food prices go too high too quickly,” Blohm says. “Especially with this administration still trying to bring beef prices down. So I don’t know that they’re going to immediately give us all of this great news that we’re wanting.”

Instead, she expects a more gradual rollout.

“I’m on the slow roll carryout, which would be bringing that demand up, but slowly over time,” she adds.

Technically, she sees the grain complex at a critical tipping point.

“We’re right at a perch for market prices right now,” Blohm says. “Corn, beans, wheat — all near some short-term major resistance levels where we’re waiting for fresh, big new news.”

If that news comes, either from biofuels or South American weather, the move could be sharp.

“If we can get some new bullish news, either bad weather on the safrinha crop, great news regarding the biofuels, we have reasons for this marketplace to explode higher,” she says. “If we do not get good news soon, seasonals could kick in, when prices often soften into late March. The timing of this is critical. Timing is critical.”

Acreage Wild Cards: RVOs and China

The RVO decision intersects directly with planting intentions and potentially with U.S.-China trade talks expected in April. Suderman points to both as pivotal acreage drivers.

“Two big critical factors that will impact planting intentions are the RVO and trade deal with China,” he says.

If both land favorably, soybeans may need to compete for ground.

“If both of those come in favorable, we could see soybeans having to buy acres,” Suderman says.

But timing complicates the picture. USDA surveys for the March Prospective Plantings report close around mid-March.

“Most of the surveys come in front-loaded,” Suderman noted. If policy clarity arrives after surveys are returned, “we’ll be waiting until the June survey to really feel like we have a handle on the number of planted acres.”

Blohm questioned whether corn acreage will ultimately exceed early USDA projections.

“My thought would be that we’re going to plant less corn than last year,” she said. “But is it going to be 94, 95 or 96? That’s the question.”

Even at those levels, balance sheets remain comfortable without stronger demand.

“With 94, 95, 96 million acres, including trendline yield, as good as demand is, you’re going to have carryout for corn near 1.8, 1.9 or 2 billion bushels, unless we can get some of this renewable stuff happening fast,” says Blohm.

How Much Demand Is Enough?

Flory acknowledged that the corn market has already built substantial usage.

“We’re already looking at $16.4 billion in total demand. That’s a huge number,” he says.

To materially shift prices, though, he says additional growth is needed.

“Looking forward, what does it take? We need to see that shift in demand,” Flory says. “Add another 300 million bushel, 400 million bushels of demand. We can do that if we can get some of these biofuel priorities.”

Are Grains the Bargain Buy?

Beyond domestic policy, outside markets could amplify moves.

“If things flare up with Iran, that’s going to be a game changer for crude oil,” Blohm says. “Which would pull corn prices higher.”

She’s also monitoring palm oil production in Malaysia.

“They’re having too much rain right now, and that’s affecting production,” she says. “If they’ve got lower production, then maybe we see a kick up for soybean oil demand here.”

Suderman added a macro lens, noting that grains and oilseeds have shown strong historical correlation with inflation measures.

“When you look at what the funds want to own if we see a return of inflation pressures, the highest correlation over the last 10 years has been the grain and oilseeds to the CPI, followed by energy,” says Suderman.

A Decision Landing at Planting

The EPA’s RVO decision is expected within weeks — right as planters begin to roll.

If policymakers deliver aggressive reallocation and clarity, renewable diesel plants could ramp from 60% toward full capacity. Soybean oil demand would tighten. Soybeans could push to buy acres.

If the announcement disappoints, or even arrives too late, seasonal pressure could dominate the spring trade.

As Suderman put it, the issue isn’t just the final percentage.

“The biggest thing is not what the numbers say,” he says. “It’s having certainty.”

For farmers making planting and marketing decisions in real time, that certainty can’t come soon enough.

USDA Delivers Thousands of Bridge Payments In a Matter of Days

Fri, 27 Feb 2026 06:04:22 GMT

In an afternoon general session, adjusted to fit USDA Secretary Brooke Rollins’ schedule, the agency leader welcomed a record crowd of 12,000 to her home state of Texas as she stares down one of the most challenging moments in farming history. Farmers are facing high input costs, trade uncertainty and surging grain production.

“Between 2020 and last year when I spoke at this incredible event, fuel costs had increased 33%, seed costs had increased 19%, fertilizer prices had gone up 48%, labor up 44% and interest expenses up 71%,” said Rollins.

The frustration in the room was palpable following a year in 2025 where strong production was again unable to overcome swelling costs and expenses. Farmers here are now looking harder to Washington for answers as another season of negative margins stares them in the face.

“We’re seven years out from this last farm bill and all of this information that we’re trying to work with is so outdated, our costs are so different, we have to get something done,” said Jed Bower, the current president of the National Corn Growers Association and an Ohio farmer. “They have forgotten about rural America.”

Help is on the way

USDA did roll out an $11 billion rescue program called the Farmer Bridge Assistance Program as a way to help tide farmers over until safety net pricing adjustments kick in this fall. Those weren’t passed in a new Farm Bill but instead included in the One Big Beautiful Bill signed last year. Sign-ups for Bridge payments are currently underway with FSA even allowing Commodity Classic attendees to finalize their applications on the tradeshow floor. Some of those payments are already in farmers’ hands as Rollins told farmers help is on the way.

“I will not declare victory, we still have so much work to do, but I will declare that we have made great progress on the promises that were made,” said Rollins. “Since [the last time I was here] we have had 15 new trade deals and/or frameworks for US agriculture in key markets like the European Union, UK, Japan, Mexico and Southeast Asia.”

The secretary also pointing China’s return to the market and pending presidential meeting scheduled for later this month. Economists are forecasting the agricultural trade deficit to fall from $41.5 billion in 2025 to $35 billion this year. That shift is happening around a strong export year in 2025 for things like ethanol where exports were up 11%, dairy exports were up 15% and corn exports ending the year 29% higher.

Separately from trade, Rollins noting a litany of deregulation happening across agencies. In a post on X.com, the secretary listed a number of changes already underway. Rollins writing that to date the administration has cut 129 regulations for every new one, resulting in $211.8 billion in net cost savings. She says accomplishments in USDA deregulation agenda include:

Reversing the EPA endangerment finding impacting vehicle emissions standards
Raising poultry line speeds → ~16% lower chicken prices
Rescinding the Roadless Rule → opens 59M acres for timber
Cutting USDA NEPA regs by 66% (streamlining 7 rules into 1)
Reforming H-2A AEWR → saves farmers >$2B/year in labor costs
Clarifying WOTUS per recent Supreme Court ruling
Modernizing Forest Service oil/gas & minerals leasing rules

I’m in Floresville, TX today launching @USDA’s new Deregulatory Agenda for American Agriculture & Consumers! Thank you to the amazing Boening Family for welcoming us to your beautiful farm!!! The Trump Admin is cutting red tape to unleash innovation on farms & ranches while… pic.twitter.com/5NOdTT2dpX
— Secretary Brooke Rollins (@SecRollins) February 26, 2026

USDA systems get an upgrade

While the world focuses on precision agriculture and technology adoption, the systems helping support American farmers has been embarrassingly slow to evolve.

“A GAO audit found that barely 15% of previous upgrades were delivered,” said Rollins. “We have been left with ancient technical architecture with 500 different custom-built systems and databases managed by over 1,000 different contractors that cost the taxpayer over $1 billion.”

The secretary announcing the ‘One Farmer, One File’ initiative as a way to streamline the data collection and services from USDA.

“This creates a single, streamlined record that follows you, the farmer, no matter where you go in USDA system,” explained Rollins. “When this initiative concludes, producers will be able to access their USDA data in a single, modern, secure system built to today’s cybersecurity standards.”

USDA Secretary Rollins watches as a producers enrolls at Commodity Classic

(USDA (X.com))

Rollins says it’s part of the administration’s broader vision of revamping how Americans interact with the government’s digital front door. She also made it clear that these new tools are optional.

“What does this mean? Do I have to do everything on a computer? No, these FSA offices will stay open. You will always have someone to walk into and sit down with to help with paper applications and traditional acreage reporting,” said Rollins. “This is not a mandate to digitize. We are not telling you we’re moving everything to your phone or your computer at home, but instead it is an expansion of options for our farmers.”

This is the first phase of a multi-year initiative. The Farmer Bridge Assistance Program is the very first program running fully on this new platform.

“After 72 hours we had over 30,000 applications go through the application process at login.gov” said Richard Fordyce, USDA undersecretary for farm production and conservation. “When the producer sees the form on their virtual device and hit sign here, that immediately goes to the county office. It’s then signed and certified and sent for payment, immediately.”

“The results have been stunning,” said Rollins. “In just the past few days, we have seen 50 times more producers sign up online than ECAP did over its entire five-month sign-up period last year. Adoption is up over 5,000% and several billion dollars have already been obligated. Many of you told me you’ve already had the check hit your bank account faster than any program ever before in the history of USDA.”

Rollins called it a new standard for the delivery of services. She says the IT and system upgrades are scheduled to be completed within the next 2 years.

Focus on 2026

Rollins laid out her priorities for the new year as farmers at Commodity Classic look for answers to the difficult balance sheet decisions awaiting their return to the farm. The top 5 boiled down to this:

Continue to deregulate
Strike new trade deals
Lower the cost of inputs
Expand markets at home with biofuels
Strengthen the farm safety net by passing a new Farm Bill

That will be easier said than done as each step comes with its own set of challenges. Rollins will be navigating closing Washington D.C. offices and moving staff to new regional hubs which she hopes to have done by the start of school next fall. Throw in global political uncertainty, stubborn inflation and stiff competition from Brazil, and the challenges are big.

“I want every American to understand that if we are not able to reverse the trend, the farm economy, the increase in inputs, the fewer markets around the world, protection from lawfare, if we’re not able to reverse that trend, then we not only will lose the greatest industry in American history, but we will also lose our country,” said Rollins. “There is no freedom unless we are able to feed and fuel ourselves.”

Splitting USMCA Into Two Separate Trade Deals Would Be a Mistake, Argues Trade Groups

Wed, 25 Feb 2026 16:13:29 GMT

With the 2026 review of the U.S. Mexico Canada Agreement (USMCA) approaching, President Donald Trump is signaling he may seek to replace the current three-nation pact with separate bilateral trade deals for Canada and Mexico. The move, driven by dissatisfaction with elements of the existing agreement, would shift away from the trilateral framework in favor of one-on-one negotiations aimed at addressing specific trade disputes, particularly with Canada, and could reshape the structure of North American agricultural trade.

The future of USMCA, and the importance of a trade deal with both Canada and Mexico, is one of the hallmark discussions taking place during Commodity Classic this week.

During a roundtable in San Antonio, just steps away from where North America’s modern trade era began, Farmers for Free Trade made its case: keep the three-nation trade pact intact and make it stronger for U.S. agriculture.

Speaking on “AgriTalk” from Commodity Classic, Farmers for Free Trade executive director Brian Kuehle told Michelle Rook renewing and strengthening the USMCA is one of the most important trade priorities facing the Trump administration.

“This agreement is critically important for U.S. agriculture,” Kuehle says.

North America: Agriculture’s $60 Billion Neighborhood

USMCA is scheduled for a mandatory joint review and potential renewal on July 1, 2026, six years after it entered into force. This review, part of the agreement’s sunset clause, allows the United States, Mexico and Canada to confirm their commitment to the deal and extend it, with formal discussions already underway.

But Farmers for Free Trade says Mexico and Canada aren’t just neighbors. They are the top two export markets for U.S. farm goods.

According to Kuehle, U.S. agricultural exports to Mexico and Canada totaled nearly $60 billion last year, up from just $9 billion before the original North American Free Trade Agreement (NAFTA) took effect in 1994. Mexico is now the largest export destination for U.S. corn, while Canada is a leading buyer of U.S. ethanol and a key market for dairy, meat and specialty crops.

For Texas alone, agricultural exports to Mexico and Canada reached $6.4 billion in 2025.

“That’s a lot of food and ag products going out to these two countries,” Kuehle says. “For one state, that’s significant.”

The original NAFTA laid the foundation for that growth. Its successor, the USMCA, was negotiated during Trump’s first term and updated the rules but preserved the integrated North American market.

Now, with a mandatory review looming, Farmers for Free Trade wants the administration to renew the pact and avoid splintering it into separate bilateral deals.

Keep the Three Nations Together

The current push by the administration is to break up the current USMCA, moving to two bilateral deals. But is this just posturing? Kuehle says talk of negotiating separate one-on-one deals with Mexico and Canada echoes the 2018 process, when Mexico negotiated first and Canada joined later. But he warns formally splitting the agreement would be a mistake.

“I think it would be a colossal error to split the two apart and try to do two bilateral deals,” he says. “We want everyone in the same tent working together for an integrated market.”

The strength of USMCA, he argues, is in its predictability, stable rules for the road and a formal dispute resolution system. That mechanism proved critical when Mexico attempted to ban imports of genetically modified corn. The U.S. successfully challenged the move under USMCA’s dispute process, preserving market access for American growers.

“That’s why free trade agreements are so important,” Kuehle says. “We can depend on those exports.”

Farm Groups Push for USMCA Renewal

Forty national farm and agricultural organizations have also announced the formation of the Agricultural Coalition for the United States Mexico Canada Agreement, launching a coordinated push to secure renewal of USMCA ahead of its mandatory 2026 review.

The coalition says the agreement serves as a critical economic engine for U.S. agriculture and is urging policymakers to renew it with targeted improvements, rather than risk uncertainty in export markets. As part of the roll out, the group unveiled a new website and began an aggressive advertising campaign in Washington, D.C., aimed at highlighting the benefits the pact has delivered to farmers, ranchers and agribusinesses. The effort comes as the administration prepares for the formal review process required under the agreement.

“USMCA is one of President Trump’s signature achievements and one that has significantly propelled the ag economy,” says Bryan Goodman, a spokesperson for the new coalition. “We are not saying it’s perfect, as some changes are warranted, but we are saying it is of paramount importance to farmers that all three countries renew the agreement.”

If all parties agree to extend it, the pact would remain in force for another 16 years, with a subsequent review in 2032. If renewal efforts fail and a country opts to withdraw, the agreement would terminate in 2036. Alternatively, the review could shift into annual consultations without resolution, creating prolonged uncertainty for agricultural producers.

The Trump administration has signaled renewal is not automatic, though officials have acknowledged the agreement has delivered measurable benefits.

“Our farmers make decisions a year or more in advance,” Goodman says. “They need the certainty of knowing USMCA is here to stay.”

Coalition leaders argue Trump reshaped North American trade policy by negotiating and signing the pact, and they plan to emphasize that message in the months ahead.

“We want to protect this agreement and build on what President Trump started in his first term,” Goodman says. “We are confident we will be able to share the facts and farmer testimony that will help the Trump administration benefit rural communities throughout the process of the 2026 review.”

A Bright Spot Amid Tariff Turbulence

As broader tariff battles reshape global trade, North America has remained comparatively stable — something Kuehle describes as a bright light for agriculture.

While targeted tariffs can serve a purpose in response to unfair trade practices, he cautions against broad, across-the-board tariffs that raise input costs for farmers and consumer prices at home.

He also stresses the importance of congressional involvement in trade policy. USMCA was negotiated under trade promotion authority, passed by Congress and enacted into law, giving it durability beyond a single administration.

By contrast, Kuehle says, executive-only tariff deals lack transparency and long-term certainty.

“Is it a deal that exists beyond a president’s term? Does it have staying power?” he asks. “That’s the difference between going it alone and following the constitutional structure where Congress has authority over trade.”

Fix What Needs Fixing… Without Burning Bridges

All of this talk doesn’t mean USMCA is perfect, Kuehle says.

Dairy access into Canada remains a sticking point, and Kuehle says the administration is right to push for improvements. But he cautions against rhetoric that could alienate a critical partner.

“We want to be fair but firm,” he says, echoing advice from former U.S. Sen. Max Baucus. “Nobody likes to be bullied.”

He warns unnecessarily straining relations could push Canada toward deeper ties with the European Union or China — a shift that would undermine decades of North American integration.

“We don’t want Canada orienting toward the EU,” he says. “We want them continuing to orient toward us.”

A United Front at Commodity Classic

At Commodity Classic, that message is resonating across farm country.

Kuehle says commodity groups, from corn and soybeans to wheat and sorghum, are largely united in supporting renewal of USMCA. Farmers for Free Trade hosted a roundtable discussion at the historic site in San Antonio where NAFTA was originally signed in 1992, symbolically “going back to the original location.”

The organization is also collecting farmer signatures, urging Congress and the administration to renew and strengthen the agreement.

“U.S. ag obviously sometimes has its differences,” Kuehle says. “But on USMCA, it’s darn near united.”

As the review process unfolds, Farmers for Free Trade hopes unity translates into action, preserving what many producers see as the backbone of American agricultural trade.

For Kuehle, the stakes are simple: Protect the integrated North American market farmers depend on and make sure it continues delivering for the next generation.

2024 U.S. Meat Exports Created 59¢ in Value for Corn, $1.46 for Soybeans

Wed, 05 Mar 2025 21:56:22 GMT

Pork exports smashed records last year and beef export value climbed 5% from 2023. With robust red meat exports to finish 2024, a new study by the U.S. Meat Export Federation (USMEF) shows the economic impact that had on corn and soybean demand.

The study, which was conducted by the Juday Group, was unveiled during the live taping of U.S. Farm Report during Commodity Classic this week. The shows 30% of the pork produced in the U.S. is exported today. And exporting more than 14% of U.S. beef production is consumed outside the U.S. Exporting corn through U.S. beef and pork generated the following demand:

Beef and pork exports accounted for 525.1 million bushels of U.S. corn usage, which equated to a market value of $2.24 billion (at an average 2024 corn price of $4.27 per bushel).
Beef and pork exports accounted for 3.04 million tons of DDGS usage, equating to $525 million (at an average 2024 price of $172.56 per ton).
Beef and pork exports contributed an estimated total economic impact of 14%, or $0.59, of bushel value at an average price of $4.27 per bushel in 2024.
Pork exports accounted for 100.7 million bushels of U.S. soybean usage, which equated to a market value of $1.12 billion (at an average 2024 soybean price of $11.11 per bushel).
Pork exports contributed an estimated total economic impact of 13.2% of bushel value, or $1.46, at an average price of $11.11 per bushel in 2024.

“We send a lot of corn and soybeans out through us beef and pork and when you look at that, every hog that we export outside the United States, that’s 10 bushels of corn,” says John Hinners, Senior Vice President, Industry Relations, U.S. Meat Export Federation (USMEF). “The Dave Juday study shows the impact of that is 59 cents on a bushel of corn in 2024 on that impact and then $1.46 on a bushel of soybeans. So it has significant impact.”

Corn demand generated from meat exports.

(U.S. Meat Export Federation)

Hinners says bottom-line is the corn and soybean industry are critical in U.S. Meat Export Federations’ efforts to grow global demand for U.S. red meat.

“World demand for protein has never been better. And when you think about what we do as an organization, we’re trying to build profit opportunities in the agriculture business, not specifically one sector or another, but just red meat in total,” he says. “And it has an impact on everything we do in agriculture, whether that’s the corn grower, the soybean grower, and so forth.”

Soybean demand generated from meat exports in 2024.

(U.S. Meat Export Federation)

Hinners says the U.S. isn’t exporting the high-quality cuts of meat, like ribeyes or New York steaks. Most of those cuts are consumed here at home. What the U.S. does export, and provides value, is the cuts and parts of an animal that aren’t preferred by U.S. consumers.

“When you think about what we send outside of the United States, it’s not the ribeye steaks and New York strips. It’s the beef liver, it’s the tripe on that animal. It’s the pork tails, the feet, the snout. A lot of these good protein items are garnished and really welcome in different countries,” says Hinners. “We’re trying to add value to these items that we don’t traditionally consume here in the United States. And it’s great protein.

(U.S. Meat Export Federation)

Exploring the Tariff Impact on Red Meat Exports
According to the USMEF, total U.S. red meat exports in 2024 was $19.1 billion. Mexico, China and Canada add up to 8.4 billion of the total, about 40%. USMEF president and CEO Dan Halstrom told Farm Journal’s Clinton Griffiths the impact remains unknown as it remains a ‘fluid situation.’

“I think the important thing to remember is that just because there’s tariff doesn’t mean the trade stops,” says Halstrom. “What it does do is it opens the doors of some of our competitors. Use Mexico as example. If we have a retaliatory duty on our products, beef or pork, we are competing against Brazilian product, for example, coming into Mexico. So that’s a very big focus that we have. They were a competitor before this when we were all zero -duty, and it’ll even be more so with a duty.”

Halstrom says it’s key to think longer term about the situation and what it could mean for export potential in the future.

“I personally think that the Trump administration, one, had our back in agriculture. I don’t think there’s any reason to think that they won’t again, but it will be a bumpy ride.”

During the previous Trump administration, the president renegotiated the free trade agreement between Mexico and Canada, which is known as the U.S., Mexico, Canada agreement (USMCA).

“We were on schedule for a review of USMC anyway in 2026, so there is an effort I think to move it up quicker, which might actually work to our advantage. We’ll have to wait and see,” Halstrom says. “This is sort of the concern when you start putting bilateral, unilateral duties on countries that you are kind of outside the confines of the free trade agreement structure. But like I said, it’s a very fluid situation. I do think the other thing that we have that’s definitely in our favor is that demand for our products globally is record breaking. I mean, it’s as good as I’ve ever seen it in 40-plus years. We have a very unique product. We’ve got to kind of keep that in mind because that’s a big leverage point.”

Can Mexico Afford to Retaliate Against the U.S.?

Wed, 05 Mar 2025 19:46:38 GMT

President Donald Trump followed through on his threats of imposing a 25% tariff on most imports from Canada and Mexico, along with an additional 10% on goods from China. While China and Canada released their list of retaliatory tariffs the same day, Mexico’s president, Claudia Sheinbaum, says they won’t release their list until the weekend.

Sheinbaum said the country will also respond with a 25% tariff on U.S. goods but will announce the products it will target on Sunday.

But can Mexico afford to retaliate? That was one of the questions asked by USDA chief economist Seth Meyer during Commodity Classic this week. The reason is Mexico’s economy is struggling, due to a number of factors, which includes a large informal sector, high budget deficit and unstable infrastructure.

According to the Federal Reserve Bank of Dallas, Mexico’s GDP grew only 0.9% year over year in fourth quarter 2024, after expanding 2.% in 2023 and 4.6% in 2022. Economic growth slowed, mainly due to lower investment, slowing consumption and a contracting energy sector.

(Federal Reserve Bank of Dallas)

The Dallas Fed says lower investment and consumption was the main driver behind the slow growth.

“Investment contributed three percentage points less to GDP growth in 2024 compared with 2023,” the Federal Reserve Bank of Dallas said in a recent report. “The major drop was in nonresidential construction investment, while purchases of imported machinery and equipment also slowed noticeably as the Mexican peso continued to weaken against the dollar. In addition, consumption was impacted by sluggish growth in remittances, high interest rates and flat employment. However, net exports boosted growth in 2024 after dragging it down the previous two years.”

Extremely Reliant Upon Exports
The other issue? Mexico is extremely reliant upon demand from the U.S., exporting $41.9 billion worth of agricultural products to the U.S.

In 2023, Mexico accounted for 16.3% of U.S. agricultural exports and 23.3% of U.S. agricultural imports.

By the numbers:

Mexico is the largest source of horticultural imports to the U.S., supplying 63% of vegetables and 47% of fruit and nuts in 2023.
The top agricultural exports from Mexico to the U.S. in 2024 included beer, tomatoes, tequila, avocados, strawberries, raspberries and peppers.

Mexico is the Biggest Customer of U.S. Ag Exports

The other important piece is Mexico is now the U.S.'s top ag export destination.

According to Krista Swanson, chief economist for National Corn Growers Association (NCGA), Mexico is a huge destination for U.S. corn. More than 40% of U.S. corn exported last year went to Mexico. Not only does that mean the U.S. relies on Mexico, but Mexico is also reliant upon the U.S. do to the strong demand.

“That’s the other key piece here when we think about a Mexico situation, you know, will they retaliate on corn because it’s so important to the consumers in their country,” Swanson told Farm Journal during Commodity Classic this week. “And it’s such a big part of their diets and consumption. It’s a commodity that they consume way more of than what they produce. So they’re going to have to get it from somewhere.”

Bigger Picture
According to USDA’s Economic Research Service , between 1993 (the year before NAFTA’s implementation) and 2023, U.S. agricultural exports to Mexico expanded at a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 7%, while agricultural imports from Mexico grew at a rate of 9.7%.

“With the economic recovery in the United States and Mexico that followed the pandemic, U.S. agricultural exports to Mexico increased at a CAGR of 15.7% between 2020 and 2023, and U.S. agricultural imports from Mexico grew at a CAGR of 11.3%,” the USDA report said. “In 2023, however, U.S. agricultural exports to Mexico decreased by 0.3% compared with the previous year, as the prices of major agricultural exports (such as corn and soybeans) declined.”

USDA Prepares to Protect Farmers in a Trade War

Tue, 04 Mar 2025 22:28:13 GMT

As the clock struck midnight on March 4, President Donald Trump’s new tariffs on imports from Canada, Mexico and China went into effect. Almost immediately, global markets started to react, and trading partners retaliated.

While the full economic consequences of the trade war remain to be seen, Secretary of Agriculture Brooke Rollins has promised to have a plan, such as the Market Facilitation Program (MFP), ready for farmers, if needed. In 2019, MFP provided direct payments to producers impacted by retaliatory tariffs, resulting in the loss of traditional exports.

“Everything is on the table right now. Everything. I know that President Trump, whom I speak with regularly, realizes the state of the farm economy in this country,” Rollins said on Sunday at Commodity Classic . “The last time, I know, he pushed Secretary Perdue to ensure we were able to make whole–as best as we could–some of those, and hopefully most of those, if not all, who had been hurt. We’re building the team at USDA to ensure we have the structure and the plan in place to allow us to move very quickly.”

In an interview with Farm Journal at Commodity Classic, USDA Economist Seth Meyer says he has been instructed by Secretary Rollins to be ready for a relief program, and he’s started calculating what possible relief could look like.

“Calculating something right today would not be helpful because we don’t know where we’re going to be, but absolutely, the Secretary instructs: ‘You need to be ready, have your pencil sharpened and have your tools available. Think about how you would proceed,’” Meyer says. “We are ready in that backstop. It won’t be easy. We’ve talked a lot about different countries. We’ve talked about reciprocal trade, but we are indeed sharpening our pencils to be able to do what she’s asked us to do.”

Here are the key details of the U.S. tariffs and retaliation from Canada, Mexico and China.

(Farm Journal)

Canada responded swiftly with plans to impose 25% tariffs on nearly $100 billion of U.S. imports over two tranches. Mexican President Claudia Sheinbaum plans to announce retaliatory tariff and non-tariff measures against the U.S. at an upcoming rally in Mexico City’s central square.

Meyer’s question is, “Can Mexico afford to retaliate?”

(Farm Journal)

As President Trump’s tariffs drew swift retaliation from trading partners, the ag industry was quick to react.

Impact on Farm Machinery
Equipment makers are concerned about the additional duties, especially after a rough year for the industry.

“We have spent decades laying down supply chains across the world. Our industry is global — 30% of all equipment made in the U.S. is destined for export. Canada is our largest market outside of the U.S.,” says Johan “Kip” Eideberg, senior vice president – government and industry relations, Association of Equipment Manufacturers (AEM). “If we want to create more jobs here in America, we need to sell more equipment and that means selling to customers outside of the U.S.”

As detailed in From the Factory to Your Fields: Where Farm Equipment Is Made , the ag equipment manufacturing industry is fully integrated across the three North American allies involved in the so-called “trade wars.”

“Anytime you disrupt those tightly connected supply chains — and tariffs would be a direct disruption — it’s going to have a serious impact on equipment manufacturers and on our farmers,” Eineberg says. “Given that Canada is our largest export market, we’re sending almost $10 billion worth of goods to Canada every year, there’s a lot at stake here.”

In 2018, Eineberg estimates, tariffs on steel, aluminum and farm inputs from China drove up the cost of making equipment in the U.S. by about 9 percentage points.

“Obviously, manufacturers will try to absorb as much of that as they can, but inevitably some of it will be passed down to the consumer, which in this case is our farmers and ranchers,” he adds.

AEM is also sounding the alarm on the compounding effect of tariffs, specifically due to the tight integration of manufacturing cycles on both sides of the border. There are often cases, Eineberg says, where components and raw materials are shuttled three to five times across the border between different factories in the manufacturing process. That means each time a piece of steel or other raw material being manufactured into a component for a tractor crosses the border, the tariffs multiply.

An example of the cross-border journey of one piece of agriculture equipment from raw material to delivery on the farm.

(AEM)

Impact on Rural America and Fertilizer
American Farm Bureau President Zippy Duvall expressed alarm about potential harm to farmers resulting from imposing stiff tariffs on the top three agricultural markets by value for the U.S.

“Farm Bureau members support the goals of security and ensuring fair trade with our North American neighbors and China, but, unfortunately, we know from experience that farmers and rural communities will bear the brunt of retaliation.” Duvall says.

Of note, more than 80% of the U.S. supply of potash , a key fertilizer product, comes from Canada.

“Tariffs that increase fertilizer prices threaten to deliver another blow to the finances of farm families already grappling with inflation and high supply costs,” Duvall adds. “The uncertainty hits just as operating loans are being secured and spring planting approaches, leaving farmers in a tough spot.”

(Farm Journal)

Read: Fertilizer Manufacturers and Retailers React to Trade Tariffs

Impact on Soybeans
During the 2018 trade war with China, U.S. agriculture experienced more than $27 billion in losses, with soybeans accounting for 71% of those losses, according to the American Soybean Association (ASA). Unlike in 2018, farmers are in a more tentative financial situation in 2025. Commodity prices are down nearly 50% from three years ago, while the costs for land and inputs, such as seed, pesticides and fertilizer, are high.

In an ASA statement, it says for years the organization’s farmer-members have consistently maintained their position that they do not support the use of tariffs, which threaten important markets and raise input costs for farmers, as a negotiation tactic.

“Farmers are frustrated. Tariffs are not something to take lightly and ‘have fun’ with. Not only do they hit our family businesses squarely in the wallet, but they rock a core tenet on which our trading relationships are built, and that is reliability. Being able to reliably supply a quality product to them consistently,” says Caleb Ragland, ASA president and soybean farmer from Magnolia, Ky.

Soybeans by far make up the largest volume of ag products exported to China. In 2024, U.S. exporters sent 27 million metric tons of soybeans to China valued at $12.76 billion, according to USDA. Mexico is the second-largest customer for whole soybeans, soybean meal and soybean oil. Canada is the fourth-largest customer for soybean meal.

“Soybean producers face huge, disproportionate impacts from trade flow disruptions, particularly to China,” Ragland says. “And we know foreign soybean producers in Brazil and other countries are expecting abundant crops this year and are primed to meet any demand stemming from a renewed U.S.-China trade war.”

Impact on Corn and Ethanol Demand
Market analysis shows tariffs won’t solve the U.S. trade deficit and instead will just shift business to other countries, says Neil Caskey, CEO, National Corn Growers Association (NCGA).

“We issued a study back in the fall that documented the implications of tariffs and specifically retaliation in a trade war — it’s not good for corn farmers, farmers in general,” he says. “We did that in conjunction with the American Soybean Association, and it concluded a trade war is really only good for Brazil, and we hope to avoid that.”

The top two destinations for corn and ethanol are Mexico and Canada. According to Krista Swanson, chief economist, NCGA, 40% of U.S. corn exports go to Mexico and more than 40% of U.S. ethanol exports are shipped to Canada.

“[Corn] is a commodity [those countries] consume way more than what they produce, so they’re going to have to get it from somewhere,” she says. “There’s definitely some concern about losing corn [exports], but how much is lost is left to be seen because it depends on what happens with shifting trade flows.”

Impact on Beef and Pork Sectors
U.S. meat export could be impacted by the tariff war as well, with China singling out pork and beef for a 10% counter tariff. Mexico, China and Canada accounted for 8.4 billion in U.S. red meat exports last year, according to the U.S. Meat Export Federation (USMEF).

USMEF is disappointed no agreements were reached to avoid or postpone the tariffs, but president and CEO Dan Halstrom says just because there are tariffs, doesn’t mean trade will stop.

“I do think the thing that we have definitely in our favor is that demand for our products globally is record breaking. I mean, it’s as good as I’ve ever seen it in 40-plus years,” he says. “I think that we have a very unique product. We got to keep that in mind because that’s a big leverage point.”

Halstrom says it could be a bumpy ride for a while, but it’s not something exporters can’t overcome.

Read: Industry Comments on Retaliatory Tariffs on U.S. Pork and Beef

Rollins Promises Grain Farmers Improving Ag Economy is a Top Priority

Mon, 03 Mar 2025 18:25:55 GMT

Agriculture Secretary Brooke Rollins says USDA is ready to roll out a number of programs that have been on hold pending review.

“We have completed our review and are releasing the funds for the Environmental Quality Incentive Program, the Conservation Stewardship Program and the agriculture conservation easement program,” Rollins said. “We are releasing those funds back to all of you who participate in those programs.”

Rollins made the announcement Sunday in Denver at the 2025 Commodity Classic where organizers estimate 10,000 will be on hand for the three-day event. The annual gathering of corn, soybeans, wheat and sorghum farmers from across the country welcomed her address ahead of what’s likely to be another busy week for the 33rd Secretary of Agriculture.

New Emergency Commodity Assistance Program to Distribute Farmer Funds

Rollins also formally announced economic assistance will be distributed by March 21 .

“The economic assistance program will be called the Emergency Commodity Assistance Program, or ECAP,” Rollins said. “ECAP is the new program to help us distribute that $30 billion in funds that Congress passed in December. They gave us 90 days to start distributing that first $10 billion in economic assistance, and we are on track to beat that and get that money starting to move immediately.”

Rollins is also looking at the application process and asking her team to find ways to streamline the distribution of those funds.

“In cases where we have information already on file, a pre-filled application will be sent to you,” Rollins said. “FSA will use the 2024 acreage reporting data you previously filed to initiate that application process. This is just common sense.”

Farmers who might have missed the above window will be asked to review their information, sign and return a completed application to their local FSA Service Center. Rollins also stressed the development of new tools that will use fair and transparent standards for calculating payments.

“Just in case there was any doubt, it will not be based on DEI metrics. Instead, it will be based on need, regardless of your skin color or geographic location,” Rollins said.

Trade, market development and demand remain serious concerns for the Commodity Classic crowd. At the end of February, President Donald Trump confirmed 25% tariffs for Mexico and Canada will take effect March 4. Farmers are worried their grain and other ag goods could face retaliatory measures and eventually exacerbate the U.S. agricultural trade deficit.

During a press conference, Rollins was asked about tariffs on Canada given that 87% of the potash used in the Midwest come from the province of Saskatchewan.

“I have had conversations with [Trump] specific to that issue, and will continue, but also the other teams from U.S. Trade Representative, Jameson Greer, to Howard Ludnick, Commerce Secretary, are leading a lot of these conversations and negotiations on behalf of this White House,” Rollins said. “Our conversations are ongoing and will continue. I fully recognize the issue.”

You can watch a 16-minute video of Secretary Rollins’ remarks at Commodity Classic on Farm Journal TV . The new subscription video service offers the convenience of on-demand access to hundreds of hours of content, including “AgDay,” “U.S. Farm Report,” “Machinery Pete” TV, Farm Journal’s podcast network, event footage, educational programming and more.

Farm Bill Push to the Finish Line

A soft farm economy for grain growers is at the top of the list heading into the 2025 planting season. It’s also why Rollins told the crowd she’s pushing Congress to get to work on finishing a new farm bill.

“How do we get the farm bill across the finish line?” Rollins asked rhetorically. “It is inexcusable it has yet to happen, and I understand there are a lot of factors out of the control of those who are making the decision, but there’s a new game in town. My commitment to you is that we get a farm bill done by the end of this year and we can avoid punting a full five-year bill for a third time.”

She says a new farm bill is needed to provide certainty for farmers and shore up a sputtering farm economy.

“The state of the ag economy, especially for row crop producers, is perhaps the worst it’s been in 100 years,” Rollins said. “I hear you when you tell me the department’s latest net farm income update showed the decline in crop cash receipts over the last two years were the largest in recorded history.”

USDA data shows farm inputs are up nearly 30% over the past five years while corn, soybean, sorghum and wheat prices have fallen by 30% in the last three years alone.

“The agriculture trade deficit is set to hit a record $49 billion in 2025 — that is money directly from your bottom line,” Rollins said.

The Ag Secretary pledged to the crowd, it’s her goal to find new trading partners and open market access for producers in the next few years.

“I know firsthand how important trade is to your success, and I’m committed as a top priority to work with this President and travel the world to expand market access for all of our crops and all of our producers around America,” Rollins added.

Artificial Turf Made With Soybeans is Growing in Popularity, Now on Display at the San Diego Zoo

Wed, 15 Mar 2023 13:19:18 GMT

The artificial turf market is seeing growing demand with the industry forecast to reach $7 billion by 2025. Now, a turf made from soybeans is becoming more popular and is being used in locations such as the Las Vegas Strip, the San Diego Zoo, Denver’s airport and Central Park.

You may have heard of soybeans used to make tires or even soy-based asphalt utilized to pave roadways. The artificial turf market is now opening the doors for another way soybeans can be utilized for products in the U.S.

United Soybean Board (USB) partnered with SYNLawn to create the soy-based turf. SYNLawn’s synthetic grass uses the soybeans in the bio-based backing. Research uncovered the soybean soil displaced 60% of the petroleum-based polyurethane that’s commonly used to make artificial grass products.

The product was even an attraction in USB’s booth at Commodity Classic this year.

“We have SYNLawn here today, which is a soy-based turf. It’s really exciting,” says Meagan Kaiser, USB chair from Bowling Green, Mo.

SYNLawn is looking to grow the market even more with plans to find a home for the turf in professional sports stadiums around the globe.

It’s not just tourist or sporting attractions where the turf can find a home. During the recent drought in the western U.S., it became a sustainable option to weather the dry conditions. It’s also a way to cater to those looking for innovative landscapes, but don’t want the hassle or footprint of constantly watering real turf.

You can view all of SYNLawn’s bio-based turf collection , which the company says is leading the industry in sustainability, as USDA Certified Bio-Based collection is the first line of artificial grass made entirely from plant-based materials, including soybeans.

Here’s How NCGA Thinks U.S. Farmers Could Find 1.8 Billion Bushels of New Corn Demand

Tue, 14 Mar 2023 17:53:50 GMT

Finding a new path for ethanol demand could come in the form of higher-octane fuels. National Corn Growers Association (NCGA) says the Next Generation Fuels Act would not only fit into the Biden administration’s current climate goals, but it would also drive up the domestic demand for corn.

As NCGA worked to set policy during Commodity Classic last week, everything from the Farm Bill to boosting ethanol demand was on the table. That’s why the Next Generation Fuels Act continues to be a legislative priority for NCGA in 2023, as it would require automakers to phase in higher levels of what NCGA calls “clean, low-carbon octane” by model year 2031.

“When it gets down to actual bushels, some projections say it could create an additional 1.8 billion bushels in new corn demand,” says Neil Caskey, CEO of NCGA. “And so you can see why that is a real high priority of ours.”

NCGA says ethanol results in nearly 50% fewer greenhouse gas emissions than gasoline. The Next Gen Fuels Act would create higher octane levels for vehicles designed to use those types of fuels, supporting ethanol blends of up to 30%.

Caskey says NCGA is optimistic the bill that would establish an octane standard, will be introduced in both the House and the Senate. As an avenue to promote low-carbon, high-octane fuels, NCGA says it also improves vehicle efficiency and performance.

“Ethanol is a product that can address climate goals now. We’re not waiting for anything to come online and for new technology to be available, ethanol can be put to work to address climate change right now,” says Caskey. “The price at the pump with ethanol is hard to beat. That is something that can lower the price at the pump. And so those are two incredible attributes that ethanol stands on.”

Caskey says state groups are taking the lead on working to get the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) to allow the sale of E15 during the summer driving season. Just this month, EPA proposed a rule that would allow for year-round E15 sales in eight Midwestern states, but not until 2024.

In response, Iowa and Nebraska’s attorney generals are warning EPA they will sue the agency for failing to allow year-round E15 sales this summer.

As the high ethanol blends battle plays out with EPA, Caskey says NCGA is focused on the national effort to establish a national octane standard.

“We are optimistic that with the Next Generation Fuels Act that there’s going to be a very bright future for ethanol, and that is why it’s our highest legislative priority as we kind of head into the new year,” says Caskey.

Related Stories:

US Ethanol Industry Again Loses by Winning

EPA’s Year-Round E15 Proposed Rule Pushes Sales into 2024

What Caused the Meltdown in the Corn Market This Week?

Fri, 10 Mar 2023 20:45:17 GMT

Reaction to USDA’s March crop production report, along with concerning signs from the Federal Reserve, were the big drivers of commodity prices this week. During the live taping of U.S. Farm Report during Commodity Classic, analysts say outdated information about fund positions and outside money might have also been a catalyst for the large price swings farmers saw in corn this week.

On Wednesday, the USDA report initially fueled soybean prices. Arlan Suderman of StoneX Group says even though Argentina’s crop was already projected to be small, USDA cut another 7 million metric tons from corn and 8 million metric tons from soybeans, which was then followed by an updated report from South America that also projected a smaller crop.

Suderman says there were also headwinds from the outside markets as recession worries pop up again.

“That eventually caught up to the markets and created problems for soybeans trying to hold onto those gains,” Suderman says.

Chip Nellinger of Blue Reef Agri-Marketing thinks the comments from the Federal Reserve caused corn prices to tumble this week.

“The markets were OK until earlier this week when Federal Reserve Chairman Powell spoke and really was hawkish, saying we have to keep these rates high for a long time, maybe higher than what everyone thought initially,” Nellinger says. “That seemed to let a lot of wind out of the different commodity markets.”

The other bearish piece of the price puzzle this week might have anchored the wheat market.

“The wheat market is just imploding, and corn right now is unfortunately tied to the hip of the wheat market. I think wheat is getting closer to a fair value. Once it does bottom, I think that’ll take some pressure off of the corn market,” Nellinger says.

The fundamentals moving the market are one thing to debate, but 2022 was proof the funds and outside money can also push prices heavily to one side. Typically, USDA releases a weekly “Commitment of Traders” report, which reveals the position of the funds.

The report can be a key piece of information for market watchers, but according to the Commodity Futures Trading Commission, a cyberattack on their system in early February took that report offline. Analysts say that information still isn’t up to date.

“Bottom line is we don’t know what the fund positions are because we haven’t had a Commitment of Traders report for quite a few weeks,” says Mike North of ever.ag. “So we’re only guessing. On a daily basis, most of the people who track trade and what’s going on can give you a rough estimate of what the funds have done, but that’s it. It’s completely a finger in the air guess on what’s going on.”

The demand side of corn is also bearish for prices, as North says corn demand is very concerning. He says between the decline in corn exports, the loss of 50 million birds due to avian flu and the small beef herd, corn demand continues to wane, as USDA revealed with revisions in the latest crop report.

ASA CEO: Renewable Diesel Could Drive a New Era for Soybean Demand, But EPA Needs to Rethink the RFS

Tue, 07 Mar 2023 18:12:44 GMT

Farmers and industry leaders gather in Orlando, Fla. this week for the 2023 Commodity Classic , an annual event that not only boasts a large trade show floor, but serves as a meeting place for state and national commodity leaders to set policy priorities for the year. This year, the American Soybean Association (ASA) is focused on everything from the Farm Bill to EPA’s recent Renewable Fuels Standard (RFS) proposal, while also pushing for increased market access through trade.

Steve Censky is ASA’s chief executive officer (CEO), landed back at ASA in November 2020. That’s after he served as USDA’s Deputy Secretary from October 2017 to November 2020. He’s no stranger to the CEO role at ASA. Just prior to his appointment to USDA, he served as ASA CEO for more than two decades.

The policy priorities for ASA differ year to year, but the excitement around biomass-based diesel and renewable diesel kicked into high gear during Commodity Classic last year. A year later, Censky says soybean farmers are concerned with what EPA’s recent RFS proposal could do to that potential demand.

As soybean growers look at possible growing demand at home from the push for more biofuels and renewable diesel, Censky says EPA’s recent RFS proposal does the opposite, calling the renewable volume obligations (RVOs) within the proposal “extremely disappointing.”

“It basically flatlines our industry over the next several years. It doesn’t take into account the significant growth that’s happening in the soybean crush sector,” says Censky. EPA’s announcement in early December set the proposed RVO for biomass-based diesel at 2.82 billion gallons for 2023, with an increase to 2.95 billion gallons in 2025.

ASA says that would only cover a fraction of planned production in the U.S. Censky points out there are currently 20 major expansions or new plants underway for soybean processing in the U.S., which would increase U.S. soybean processing to 7 billion gallons of production. That’s an increase of nearly one-third from today, and short of the 2.95 billion gallons supported by EPA’s RFS proposal.

“That’s going to produce and that’s driven by the demand that that we had thought was out there for renewable diesel and biodiesel. And unfortunately, EPA proposing to pull the rug out from under that investment,” says Censky.

Last week, ASA met with EPA Administration Michael Regan, and Censky says they delivered a clear message to EPA: the current RFS proposal would be bad for farmers, rural jobs and rural development. Censky claims soybean crush facilities who are still in the early stages of plant expansions or creation, are now worried EPA’s recent announcement threatens their investments.

“There are some projects that have been more recently announced, and that’s about a two-year project. And those are the ones that we’re frankly concerned about that if we don’t get the EPA to have higher growth numbers in biomass-based diesel, then that could threaten those investments,” he says. “We’ve already heard that some of those players have put their investments on construction on quote, pause until they see the rule is finalized. And that will come in mid-June.”

When asked why EPA and the Biden administration aren’t looking at things like renewable diesel to meet their short-term climate goals, Censky says there’s still a thought that increased demand for oils will drive food prices higher. But Censky says a recent study from Purdue University found the opposite, that the increased soybean meal would actually help drive down the overall cost of food.

“It’s a way to decarbonize our fuel supply,” says Censky. “Right now, we don’t have to wait for a build out of the grid. We don’t have to wait for some revolutionary new battery technologies. It is here. It is a way to do that right now. And, you know, biodiesel and renewable diesel reduce greenhouse gas emissions by, on average, over 70%. And so that is a way to achieve the administration’s climate goals as well.”

Focused on the Farm Bill

Another big focus during Commodity Classic this week is the 2023 Farm Bill . There’s debate on whether Congress will pass a Farm Bill yet this year, but commodity groups are currently making their voices heard, outlining key priorities within the legislation.

“The first thing, that message that we have been delivering, is that we need Congress to have an adequately funded, on time Farm Bill, and we say adequately funded because we recognize that there’s the need out there that the current farm bill actually needs more resources,” says Censky.

Currently, most messages out of Washington point to less funding for the Farm Bill this year, but that’s not stopping ASA from outlining why agriculture needs more resources for the next Farm Bill, not less.

“We’re actually working very hard with other farm groups, and we’ve been leading an effort with other commodity and farm groups, with a budget message to the budget committees, letting them know that that the agriculture committees are going to need more resources,” says Censky. “We’re hopeful that they can get more resources. But we’re also realistic that it’s going to be tough to try to get those additional resources.”

Censky says the first priority is to fully protect crop insurance, as he says that’s soybean farmers most important risk management tool. The other priority is to improve the safety net for soybeans.

“Even when we had the China trade war and U.S. soybean exports plummeted, the safety net, the ARC or the PLC programs, did not kick in. Soybean farmers did not receive any payment. And they had to rely on ad hoc payment,” says Censky.

Within the Farm Bill, ASA also would like to see:

A doubling of the market access program (MAP) and foreign market development funds; funding for those programs has been stagnant for 20 years, Censky says.
Voluntary conservation measures that focus on working lands.

A Push to Increase Demand Through More Market Access and Trade

While the Farm Bill and renewable diesel are urgent issues for ASA, soybean growers see the continued need to grow demand around the globe. That’s why ASA wants to see a focus back on trade.

“Number one, we would love for the administration to begin talking about trade agreements that involve market access tariffs,” says Censky. “The administration, so far, has just said that they want to address the sanitary and phytosanitary, or some of the technical rules. We’re supportive of that, but really, what we need is market access.”

Censky says U.S. farmers export more than half of the crop grown, which is why expanding market access is a focus for ASA. It comes at a time when USDA projects U.S. agricultural exports to decline by $2.5 billion from 2022 to 2023. As a result, USDA forecasts the U.S. trade deficit to grow to $3.5 billion, the second largest since 1990.

“The overall trade numbers just came out, and the U.S. is running an agriculture trade deficit for the first time in many years,” says Censky. “And normally, in agriculture, we enjoy a huge surplus, a positive balance of trade and agriculture. And so I think that really underscores the need for the administration and Congress to get going on new trade agreements that involve market access.”

ASA says their grower members want to see the administration enter back into talks with the Trans Pacific Partnership (TPP). The original proposal was between 12 Pacific Rim countries and the U.S. While signed in February of 2016, it was not ratified. Strong opposition came from both Democrats and Republicans. In January 2017, new elected President Donald Trump then officially withdrew from TPP.

The remaining countries moved forward with a new trade pact, what’s now called the Comprehensive and Progress Agreement for Trans-Pacific Partnership.

“We’ve seen the European Union and China, they’re striking new trade agreements, and the U.S. has been left behind,” says Censky. “The last time we had a new trade agreement was over a decade ago, other than the USMCA that had been updated. And so we really need new market access.”

Censky says Southeast Asia is one ASA views as a high growth market. He also thinks soybeans could also see a surge in demand if a trade agreement was reached with that area, allowing market access to countries like Vietnam, Thailand, Indonesia and the Philippines.

Related Stories:

Is the U.S. Becoming Less Competitive in Growing Wheat? A New Warning Sign for the Future of Wheat

The Cost of a Farm Bill: 2023 Row Crop Priorities

Soybean Processing Expansion Welcome in Northwestern Corn Belt: Will Support Soybean Prices and Improve Basis

U.S. Debt to Reach 90% of Total Economy

Tue, 17 Nov 2020 07:25:17 GMT

Charlene Finck , Farm Journal Editor

Speaking at the Ag Issues Forum sponsored by Bayer CropScience, policy expert Jim Wiesemeyer started with a promise to be an equal opportunity finger pointer at what’s going on-–and not going on--in Washington, D.C. these days. Weaving together the knowledge, candor and humor that are his trademarks, Wiesemeyer covered the waterfront but really drilled into what he calls the debt sentence for the U.S.

“The numbers are starting to add up to a size where they can’t hide,” said Wiesemeyer, senior vice president for farm policy and trade issues for Informa Economics and consultant for Pro Farmer newsletter, who has covered Washington for 32 years.

Faced with an overall national debt that is growing at more than a trillion dollars – with a “t” a year, the Obama administration is predicting the total debt as a percentage of the U.S. economy at 90% in the future. That places the country in a spot where it would take a 36% increase in personal income tax just to cover the interest on the national debt.

(click to enlarge)

“As perspective, President Obama will add more red ink in his first two years in office than President George W. Bush did in eight years,” he said. “The projected $18.5 trillion debt in 2020 would more than double the size of debt when Obama took office, and the annual interest on that debt would exceed $800 billion.”

In another comparison, Wiesemeyer noted that in the first 15 months of office, the Obama Administration will raise the debt burden (debt as a percent of the U.S. economy) by more than President Ronald Reagan did in eight years.

Noting that the sizes of the two countries’ economies are quite different, Wiesemeyer pointed out that even though Greece is often in the news with its financial woes, the statistics for the U.S. are not far behind. “Right now, the U.S. budget deficit is almost 11% of GDP while Greece is at 13%,” he said. “At the same time, the long-term debt burden is at 90% and Greece is at 120%.

The result: a debt sentence that will impact every corner of the country. Prefacing his predictions of what that could mean for farmers, Wiesemeyer said he hopes he is wrong.

Here are some of his key predictions:

Look for more finance issues than anticipated for agriculture a year from now. That difficulty will come from bank consolidation and tighter credit conditions. The same pressure and difficulty that has been seen in the mid-South and Delta will move into the Midwest.
Increased interest rates.
There will – without a doubt – be cuts ahead for agricultural programs. “Those will come after the November 2 election,” he predicted. “That’s why Collin Peterson is desperately trying to get farm groups to start the next farm bill discussions now – to help drive the outcomes of change rather respond to it.”
Changes to crop insurance, which he characterizes as “being under a microscope now”.
Cuts in programs such as Medicare and Social Security.
Fewer dollars spent on research and development.

On the upbeat side, Wiesemeyer finished by focusing on “the rise of the rest,” – the growing number of middle class of people in China, India, Indonesia and Latin America. “That can be a growth generator for U.S. agriculture as long as our farmers are allowed to competitive,” he said. “That means we need a balanced regulatory approach and a trade policy that gives U.S. farmers an opportunity for increased market access.”

For More Information
2010 Commodity Classic Coverage

You can e-mail Charlene Finck at cfinck@farmjournal.com .

Wheat Outlook and Product Preview

Tue, 17 Nov 2020 07:25:17 GMT

Pam Smith , Farm Journal Seeds & Production Editor

Winter wheat acreage is down, especially along the Mississippi River corridor, says Peter Peerbolte, Bayer CropScience Portfolio Manager for cereals. Record rainfalls last fall in the MidSouth and Delta took growers out of the wheat game. Peerbolte says spring wheat acreage could be up a tad, but those regions are heading into the planting season wet and with 2009 harvest still to come out.

“We could see spring wheat plantings in the 17 million to 17.5 million acre range,” he says. Bayer CropScience has three new wheat products this season. Listen in as Peerbolte tells us his outlook for 2010.

For More Information
2010 Commodity Classic Coverage

You can email Pam Smith at psmith@farmjournal.com .

Customized John Deere 4020 Unveiled at Commodity Classic

Tue, 17 Nov 2020 07:25:13 GMT

The meeting of two legends brought excitement to the opening of the 2010 Commodity Classic trade show in Anaheim, Calif., Thursday afternoon. World-famous automotive designer Chip Foose and John Deere unveiled a one-of-a-kind John Deere 4020 tractor that was redesigned in hot rod style.

Foose gave the tractor a complete cosmetic redesign, says David Jones, Deere creative marketing team lead in an exclusive showing to AgWeb on Thursday morning. The mechanics of the engine were fully restored, but it is the same basic engine that was on the tractor originally built in 1970.

The tractor will be on display at selected John Deere dealerships until June during more than 60 Drive Green Tractor Experience events. Following the cross country tour that ends on June 30, 2010, the tractor will be awarded to one winner. You can sign up to win the tractor at any local John Deere dealership in the United States.

Check it out:

For More Information
2010 Commodity Classic Coverage

You can e-mail Greg Vincent at gvincent@farmjournal.com .

U.S. Ag Export Infrastructure Struggles to Keep Up With Competition

Tue, 17 Nov 2020 07:25:13 GMT

The future of U.S. ag exports may indeed sit in the heart of Los Angeles. Soybean producers from across the United States had an opportunity to see how the products they produce are put aboard ships destined for export markets throughout the Far East. These markets are largely served through the Port of Los Angeles which is the largest port in the United States and the Port of Long Beach, which is number two and sits adjacent to the L.A. port.

Hosted by the Soy Transportation Coalition (STC), the tour was designed to help producers see the challenges and issues faced by shippers as they move products in and out of the United States. (Watch AgWeb starting Monday, March 15, 2010, for more information on the developing infrastructure in Brazil and the Panama Canal during the Top Producer Frontier Tour.)

Those challenges are increasing for shippers and agriculture, as well, says Mike Steenhoek, the executive director of STC. The soybean industry has been among the brightest stars in a very positive picture for agricultural exports recently. While this is a positive, it’s not time to rest when you consider growing competitions from around the world.

“The question is not whether we grow the best soybeans in the world, because we do. The question is not whether we have customers who want to purchase soybeans and the products derived from them, because we do as well. The question is whether we can get those products to our customers in a cost effective way and the answer to that question is increasingly no,” says Steenhoek.

Ed Ulch, STC secretary treasurer and a farmer from Solon, Iowa, says the port tour is important for U.S. farmers because it enables agriculture producers from across the country to meet the needs of customers in the Far East.

“We have not kept up, we have not put that much money into infrastructure. We have other countries, in the Southern Hemisphere in particular, that are doing more than we are. We have to keep pace with that.

Ulch says the only exception that may exist to declining competitiveness for U.S. infrastructure in the U.S. is in the railroad sector.

Among the biggest customers for U.S. soybeans and other agricultural products is China. That country recently built a port in three years that is roughly the same size as the Port of Los Angeles and the Port of Long Beach combined. That port and the 20-mile bridge that leads to it were built in three years, showing the investment other countries are making.

Jim McClellan, Vice President of Transportation services for the Port of Los Angeles says there has been a steady expansion of agricultural products in the past 10 years, proving the growing importance of exports to the industry.

“I think the free trade agreement with South Korea, for example, will open up even larger markets in the future. We’ve seen a whole variety of products. We’ve seen a steady increase particularly in soybeans, but also in grains and we hope to see that increase.”

He voiced his support or virtually any free trade agreement and said currently there are several ships going out under capacity, so the potential for growth is tremendous.

You can e-mail Greg Vincent at gvincent@farmjournal.com .

Meet Three Association Farmer Presidents

Tue, 17 Nov 2020 07:25:13 GMT

Listen in as three national association farmer presidents discuss the outlooks for their commodities and the challenges ahead for farmers.

Darrin Ihnen, National Corn Growers Association

Karl Scronce, National Association of Wheat Growers

Rob Joslin, American Soybean Association

Why Marketing Plans Keep Lenders Happy

Tue, 17 Nov 2020 07:25:13 GMT

Ohio producer Bret Davis has no trouble talking to his banker these days, despite market volatility and tight credit conditions. He feels his good performance in the market and consistent income speaks for itself.

Hiring a market analyst has helped him build a strong marketing plan over the years that has let to continuous profits, says Davis, who farms corn, soybean and wheat in Delaware County, Ohio. Davis spoke this morning on a panel titled “Marketing Strategies Your Lender Will Love” at the Commodity Classic in Anaheim, Calif.

“The market has been so volatile in recent years that I got tired of worrying about making the decisions on my own,” Davis says. He hired Stewart Peterson as a marketing service. “They help me know when it’s time to pull the trigger,” he adds.

Davis’ banker, Kent Kramer with Delaware County Bank and Trust, says farmers who use a marketing service to their fullest are consistently among his top loan customers.

“As bankers, what we do is mitigate risk,” Kramer says. “Farmers who are engaged in marketing are helping me do that by managing their margins. It makes it easier for me to go to bat for them with my loan committee.”

Mike Hogan, senior market advisor with Stewart Peterson, says the communication between the farmer and banker is critical to supporting a good marketing plan.

“Communication between the three of us is critical,” Hogan explains. “If the banker and farmer are talking often about what dollars are available, then the farmer can communicate to me what I have to work with on marketing. It helps me to know how much the bank is willing to support the farmer in marketing decisions.”

It can take awhile to develop a comfort level with a marketing service, adds Davis. He worked with Stewart Peterson for four years before he turned over all of this business to them for help with marketing and whole farm consulting.

“You have to take the time to develop the trust,” Davis adds. “But now if I’m out planting corn and get a call that says the market moved and I need to sell, I can trust that decision is being made in my best interest. It allows me to focus on producing the crop.”

For More Information
2010 Commodity Classic Coverage

You can email Jeanne Bernick at jbernick@farmjournal.com .

NCGA Thanks Bud Light for Free Super Bowl Ad; Looks to Build Momentum

Tue, 17 Nov 2020 03:07:53 GMT

The “beer war” sparked by the Super Bowl is still making headlines today. The National Corn Growers Association (NCGA) said it seized an opportunity that Sunday. A situation that could have turned into a negative slew of press releases and news articles, turned into a positive newsmaker for corn growers across the country. Now, NCGA is learning from a situation that caught the Association by surprise.

“About two weeks before the Super Bowl we had a board retreat and one of the questions the facilitator asked one day as a warm-up question was ‘What would you do if money was no object?’” said Jon Doggett, CEO of NCGA. “Someone said ‘let’s have an ad at the Super Bowl.’ Well, we had an ad at the Super Bowl, and we caught it just right. Our first couple tweets caught it just right. We had 3 million impressions on our tweets. That’s more than we’ve had on all of our tweets combined over the years.”

The tweet NCGA posted Super Bowl Sunday is still gaining traction, with more than 3,300 retweets and 9,400 “likes”.

.@BudLight America’s corn farmers are disappointed in you. Our office is right down the road! We would love to discuss with you the many benefits of corn! Thanks @MillerLight and @CoorsLite for supporting our industry. https://t.co/6fIWtRdeeM
— National Corn (NCGA) (@NationalCorn) February 4, 2019

“It was interesting; within ten minutes after that ad first aired, we had our first tweet out,” said Doggett. “Within ten minutes after that I had an email from a senior executive at Anheuser-Busch saying ‘hey we need to talk.’ We could have waited until he next day and put out a press release and said ‘we’re really mad,’ and it would have done nothing, but we had fun with it, and that’s what it’s all about.”

Momentum from Bud Light’s Super Bowl ad didn’t stop that Sunday. MillerCoors stepped up to the plate the following week, welcoming NCGA leaders to Colorado with a delivery of beer.

Pete Coors from @CoorsLight delivering the world’s most refreshing beer to support America’s corn farmers. pic.twitter.com/Wj6bZbJ1eG
— National Corn (NCGA) (@NationalCorn) February 6, 2019

“We built a relationship there that we hadn’t had before,” said Doggett. “We’re trying to do the same with Anheuser-Busch. We had a documentary filmmaker who wants to talk to us about a film he wants to do about whiskey. I mean those are the kinds of things that I think we really have to center ourselves around.”

Doggett said instead of negative rhetoric about agriculture and corn, the ad sparked something positive, and built momentum on which NCGA wants to continue to capitalize.

“There’s so much positive that we have to tell,” said Doggett. “We have to find a new way to tell it. Let’s expand these opportunities for corn farmers. Let’s have some fun at it, let’s do it in a professional fashion. Let’s bring as many people along with us as we can while we’re doing it.”

Related stories:

Bud Light Pays for Super Bowl in Lost Sales, Miller Lite Gains Ground

Super Bowl Ads threaten Beer Alliance

Headline AMP: A New Product for the Corn Market

Tue, 17 Nov 2020 02:29:18 GMT

BASF’s Nick Fassler discusses the use of Headline AMP.

You can email Pam Smith at psmith@farmjournal.com .

Boost Plant Populations to Reach that 300-Bushel Goal

Sun, 15 Nov 2020 18:15:54 GMT

After last summer, a lot of farmers are asking David Thompson whether they should stick with the same corn plant populations in 2013.

His perspective: “Yes, keep those plant populations up. You want to plan for average conditions this season, not a worst-case scenario,” he advises.

Along with that, Thompson, the national marketing and sales director for Iowa-based Stine Seed Company, says corn growers who are reaching for the 300-bushel mark will need to start increasing their plant populations on an incremental basis.

“You’ll need to evaluate your hybrids for the ones suitable for high populations and bump them up 10% or so to see how they do. Experiment with them a bit,” he says.

Thompson adds that as new genetics are developed, that 300-bushel yield mark will become within reach of more corn growers.

Thompson says Stine Seed Company mapped out hybrid corn yield averages between the 1930s and 2012 and found a direct relationship between yield results and plant populations used over time.

“In the 1930s, when we started with hybrid corn, the average yield was 40 bushels with an average plant population of 7,000. Today 200 bushels are typical with an average plant population of 35,000,” he explains.

Based on company research, he says that means corn yields and populations have gone up by a factor of about five.

“If you subscribe to that theory, then everyone who wants to raise 300-bushel corn will need to plant at least 56,000 plants per acre. You can’t do it otherwise,” Thompson says.

Farm Journal caught up with Thompson to get his perspective on achieving higher yields this week during the 2013 Commodity Classic in Orlando. Listen here to learn more details about how Stine Seed Company is developing new corn hybrids to help farmers boost yields.

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Read more coverage from the 2013 Commodity Classic and associated events.

Fungicides Can Protect Corn Health, Even in Drought

Sun, 15 Nov 2020 18:15:54 GMT

Conventional thinking would lead you to believe that fungicide use in corn during a severe drought makes little to no sense. Some plant health experts say otherwise.

“Even as adverse as conditions were in many parts of the country last summer, if the corn pollinated, we found that fungicide use still protected the crop and improved yields,” says Randy Myers, Bayer CropScience fungicide product manager.

Likewise, Myers says it’s important for farmers to realize that fungicides aren’t able to save corn plants on the brink of death. Instead, they can prevent and control diseases and improve corn plant health.

“Fungicides, physiologically, impact the health of corn plants and contribute to higher photosynthetic rates,” he says. “They also help corn plants use nitrogen more efficiently and develop stronger cell walls that are less prone to lodging.”

Myers says his best advice to corn growers going into the 2013 season: make a proactive plan to use a fungicide as timing is critical.

“A lot of growers come into the process in more of a reactionary mode,” he reports. “In the process of buying the product and arranging to have it sprayed plant health suffers and you lose yield potential; the value of the fungicide application is basically muted,” he explains. “If you go out in the field and scout and think you need to spray, that means you need to spray now.”

Myers shares additional recommendations on fungicide use in the following video, filmed during the 2013 Commodity Classic in Orlando.

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Read more coverage from the 2013 Commodity Classic and associated events.

New Herbicide Whips Weeds in Wheat

Sun, 15 Nov 2020 18:12:27 GMT

Wheat growers now have the opportunity to control key grass and broadleaf weeds in one new product: Huskie Complete herbicide. Huskie Complete is approved for use by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency for post-emergence application on spring wheat, winter wheat and durum, according to John McGregor, product manager.

Huskie Complete, which features an active ingredient new to cereals, controls key grass weeds, including those that are ACC-ase resistant, such as wild oats, barnyardgrass and green and yellow foxtail. It also controls more than 50 broadleaf weeds, including ALS-resistant biotypes, such as kochia, common lambsquarters, Russian thistle and prickly lettuce.

In the following video, McGregor provides three points he believes will help farmers derive the best results from the new herbicide. He adds that the product will be available in limited quantities for this year.

Catch a Pigweed in the Rye

Sun, 15 Nov 2020 18:12:27 GMT

Glyphosate-resistant Palmer amaranth poses an unprecedented threat in many crop production areas. Arkansas farmers have been dealing with resistant biotypes of this noxious weed since 2005, and the problem has gotten worse ever since. Fortunately, university researchers are coming to farmers’ aid with inventive solutions, according to Andrew Wargo, a business agent with Baxter Land Company in Watson, Ark. The latest idea? Simply smother the weeds with a rye cover crop.

Research continues to investigate the value of a rye cover crop for preventing weed germination.

Wargo says that University of Arkansas weed scientist Dr. Jason Norsworthy and his colleagues conducted tests the past few seasons where they planted rye in between cotton or soybean rows in the fall just prior to leaf drop. The researchers discovered that post-harvest, the rye wasn’t just covering the ground – it was covering weed seeds, too.

“The rye prevents the seeds, particularly the amaranth, from getting the sunlight they need to germinate,” Wargo says. “When the rye falls down or you chemically burn it down, it lays down dead, serves as a shield and prevents germination up to about 85 percent.”

A rye cover crop has two other big benefits, he adds. It prevents wind erosion, and it also puts valuable vegetative matter back into the soil. Wargo thinks farmers in his area will take note of this additional method to suppress Palmer amaranth growth. More than 80 percent of the cotton acres and 60 percent of the soybean acres in Arkansas have resistant weed populations.

New Fungicide Shows Long Residual

Sun, 15 Nov 2020 18:06:07 GMT

Add the word “Xemium” to your vocabulary. It’s the latest fungicide family from BASF Crop Protection and while the name may roll around on the tongue a bit, the makers promise the products will offer both preventive and curative properties in the fight against fungal pathogens. U.S. registration is expected in 2012.

BASF unveiled Xemium during 2011 Commodity Classic in Tampa, Fla. The fungicide falls in the carboxamide class of chemistry. Growers may recognize this is also the family of Boscalid, a broad spectrum fungicide in this same class. Products containing Boscalid include Pristine and Endura fungicides.

However, scientists working to optimize the carboxamide class discovered another molecule called Succinate Dehydrogenase (SDH) inhibitors that makes Xemium different from other fungicides. Nick Fassler, BASF Technical Market Manager, says new formulations provide complete coverage of the leaf surface and systemic distribution to make sure the products moves within the leaf and to other parts of the plant—thus providing longer residual control.

Xemium will be marketed similar to BASF’s Kixor herbicide products in that it encompasses a family of products. Priaxor with Xemium fungicide is designed for row crops. Merivon fungicide will be marketed on specialty crops and Systiva is a seed treatment that contains the new active ingredient. Priaxor and Merivon will be teamed with BASF’s F500 fungicide, the active ingredient in Headline.

Listen in as Fassler talks more about the Xemium lineup and why they will benefit high yield growers:

New Trait Technology Announced

Sun, 15 Nov 2020 18:06:00 GMT

You’ve known it for years as DHT (Dow Herbicide Tolerant Trait) Technology. The new herbicide tolerant trait system that will provide tolerance to 2,4-D and glyphosate now has an official name. It’s called Enlist Weed Control System.

It’s still pending regulatory approval, but farmers like Malcolm Haigwood are eager for approval of the system that will give them additional over-the-top control of tough weeds like Palmer amaranth. “We currently have five or six different weed species that are extremely hard-to-control,” says Haigwood, Newport, Ark. “We are going to have to do some changing in the next two or three years because of this challenge.”

Developed by Dow AgroSciences, the new trait technology was developed with the help of the growers who intend to use it says Damon Palmer, Dow AgroSciences U.S. commercial leader, Enlist Weed Control System. “In a recent grower survey, 96% of growers said they want a system that improves on the glyphosate-tolerant system they have integrated into their operations.”

Palmer says the technology will be delivered in elite germplasm. It will be stacked with the glyphosate-tolerant trait, as well as insect resistant traits. Commercial launch in the United States of the Enlist Weed Control System is anticipated in corn for the 2013 crop year with other crops to follow.

Dow AgroSciences is expected to make further announcements this week at Commodity Classic that will shed light on how the associated chemistry will be formulated.

Commodity Classic Goes Virtual

Fri, 13 Nov 2020 15:36:58 GMT

Commodity Classic is the latest big ag event to go all virtual in response to COVID-19 restrictions. The joint annual meeting of the National Corn Growers Association, American Soybean Association, National Association of Wheat Growers, National Sorghum Producers and Association of Equipment Manufacturers was scheduled for March 4-6, 2021, in San Antonio, Texas. The new, virtual event is targeted for the first week in March, though plans are not yet finalized.

“This is about doing the right thing for our farmers, exhibitors, stakeholders, and the broader community in terms of health and safety—which is our top priority,” said Anthony Bush, an Ohio corn farmer and co-chair of the 2021 Commodity Classic, representing the National Corn Growers Association in a release announcing the change. “After careful deliberation among our farmer-leaders and industry partners, the COVID-19 restrictions would prevent us from delivering the type of high-quality experience Commodity Classic attendees and exhibitors have come to expect and enjoy for the past 25 years.”

Commodity Classic organizers note in the press release that social distancing restrictions would not allow for networking and education sessions at the large trade show, which are hallmarks of the annual event.

Updates on planning for the virtual 2021 Commodity Classic will be available at CommodityClassic.com.