CLERMONT, Fla. — Getting directions to a farm usually involves the mention of some kind of landmark, like a red barn or a church. If you’re looking for the ShowCase of Citrus farm, the landmark is a life-sized, plastic, great white shark hanging from a rope next to a pond. That is the first clue […] Read more
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Full recovery not expected for U.S. soy exports to China
The government is predicting a major increase in Chinese imports once trade war ends, but producers aren’t so sure
ORLANDO, Fla. — American soybean groups are not as confident as their political leaders that China will end up buying more U.S. soybeans than it did before the trade war. U.S. Agriculture Secretary Sonny Perdue told farmers attending the recent 2019 Commodity Classic conference that a trade deal with China would create a “bonanza” for […] Read more
Food fight: the anger shows no sign of waning
From corn in beer to cultured meat, heated disagreements over how food is produced continue to grow in intensity
CORRECTION – a previous version of this story incorrectly stated that JUST Meat has produced chicken breasts in the lab. The company is called JUST and it has produced chicken meat in the lab that was made into bite-sized nuggets. JUST has a distribution agreement in Europe with German poultry giant PHW Group, not PNW […] Read more
Short-stature corn touted as next big thing in agriculture
ORLANDO, Fla. — Bob Reiter doesn’t hesitate when asked if Bayer has any revolutionary products in its research and development pipeline. “Short-stature corn, which I think fundamentally has the opportunity to really shift how we grow our corn crop,” the global head of research and development at Bayer Crop Science told reporters attending the Bayer […] Read more
U.S. farmers push for USMCA ratification
ORLANDO, Fla. — American agriculture is doing everything in its power to get the United States-Mexico-Canada Agreement over the finish line. U.S. Agriculture Secretary Sonny Perdue warned the 9,000 delegates attending the 2019 Commodity Classic conference that there is a big difference between a signed agreement and one that has been implemented. “It’s never over […] Read more
WTO rules against Chinese subsidies
American wheat growers are happy with the win, but problems with the WTO appeal process could spoil the party
ORLANDO, Fla. — U.S. wheat growers are celebrating a successful World Trade Organization challenge of China’s price supports but a Canadian official thinks it could be a short-lived victory. A WTO dispute panel has ruled that Chinese government wheat, corn and rice payments to farmers exceed allowable limits and significantly distort global trade. Chandler Goule, […] Read more
GMO labelling law in U.S. receives mixed reviews
Farm groups and food companies are pleased with a new United States labelling law governing genetically modified organisms, but non-GMO certification bodies and consumer groups call it a farce. The National Bioengineered Food Disclosure Standard came into effect Feb. 19, but won’t be in full force until Jan. 1, 2022. The national, mandatory labelling law […] Read more
Possibility of major sales to China leaves market bullish
Analysts say they feel optimistic about agriculture for the first time since the ethanol bubble burst in 2012-13
ORLANDO, Fla. — There are numerous reports that a United States trade deal with China is near and analysts say that will spark a big grain market rally. U.S. secretary of agriculture Sonny Perdue told delegates attending the 2019 Commodity Classic that he is optimistic a deal is on the horizon. “Folks, if we can […] Read more
BLOG: Major U.S. farm conference focuses on China
ORLANDO, Fla. — China is top-of-mind for all the farm groups attending the 2019 Commodity Classic. Davie Stephens, president of the American Soybean Association, said there is no question that the U.S. is going to suffer permanent losses in the Chinese market. He noted that the market wasn’t built overnight. It took decades to develop. […] Read more
Effort to lock in hybrid vigour makes progress
The U of S launches a new four-year research project into apomixis, a ‘disruptive technology’ for plant breeding
University of Saskatchewan researchers are making good progress on a “disruptive technology” that will turn crop breeding on its head. Apomixis is a form of asexual seed production found in numerous wild plant species such as buttercups, Kentucky bluegrass and St. John’s wort. “The mother plant makes seeds that have embryos that are genetic clones […] Read more
