The National Pork Producers Council is pleased that the 2018 Farm Bill contains important mandatory funding for animal disease prevention and preparedness efforts. The five-year bill includes $120 million in funding for the first four years of the legislation going to animal health and disesase preparedness. At least $5 million a year will go directly to the National Animal Disease Preparedness Program. Money can go to a national disease vaccine bank; to the National Animal Health Laboratory Network, which provides disease and diagnostic support; and, through block grants, go to state efforts to prepare for any foreign animal disease outbreak. The Animal Agriculture Coalition is also pleased with the animal health provisions in the farm bill. “Livestock and poultry producers, working together with veterinarians, work hard to ensure the health of the animals they raise,” the coalition says in a statement. “They play a central role in feeding the nation’s families, as well as providing jobs that contribute to economic stability. That’s why producers and veterinarians agree that preventing the impact of devastating animal diseases must be a high priority.” The organization is pleased the bill provides funding for research into animal diseases, as well as the ability to respond if diseases are identified in the nation’s herds and flocks.

China is officially buying U.S. soybeans again, which is good news for American agriculture. This week’s purchase amount was one for the record books. A Farm Journal report says the latest U.S. Soybean Export Sales Report from USDA shows that China bought 1,130,000 metric tons of soybeans. To give that amount some perspective, it’s the ninth-largest one-day purchase in ten years. It’s also the biggest Chinese soybean buy in the four years. It’s also the biggest soybean buy of this year, so far. President Trump told Reuters that, “They’re buying tremendous amounts of soybeans. They’re definitely back in the market.” Reuters says it seems to affirm the trade truce that the U.S. and China reached on December 1st. We still don’t know if China’s retaliatory tariffs on U.S. soybeans and other farm goods will be dropped as a part of the temporary truce. There’s also no word on whether or not the countries can resolve the longer-term disputes, including forced technology transfers and intellectual property theft within 90 days. That’s when President Trump said additional tariffs will go into effect and the trade war will resume

China appears to have begun following through on planned purchases of U.S. soybeans. Reuters reported Wednesday that China made its first major purchase of U.S. soybeans in more than six months. Chinese state-owned companies purchased at least 500,000 metric tons of U.S. soybeans, the equivalent of roughly 18 million bushels. Other reports suggest China has purchased as much as two million metric tons. The purchases follow an announcement after talks between the U.S. and China at the G20 Summit that China will resume buying U.S. ag products. Traders told Reuters the soybeans are expected to be shipped from grain terminals in the U.S. Pacific Northwest, the most direct route to Asia. Historically, China is the largest buyer of U.S. soybeans, importing about 60 percent of all U.S. soybean exports last year, valued at more than $12 billion. Those purchases stopped this year, however, as China implemented a 25 percent tariff on U.S. soybeans as part of the U.S.-China trade war.

An amendment included in the farm bill allows the Department of Agriculture to use funds for Cuba-related trade activities. The Amendment by Senator Heidi Heitkamp of North Dakota permits the use of Market Access Program and Foreign Market Development funds for Cuba. The amendment, according to the U.S. Agriculture Coalition for Cuba, represents not only the opportunity to increase the competitiveness of U.S. agriculture, but the first legislation passed regarding Cuba in 17 years. USACC Chair Paul Johnson called the inclusion a “step in the right direction towards normalizing trade with Cuba. Heitkamp introduced the amendment in June with Senator, John Boozman of Arkansas, both members of the Senate Agriculture Committee. Heitkamp said at the time the legislation would “support farm families and rural communities, especially as they face uncertainty.” The amendment allows funding to go toward trade servicing, technical assistance, and trade promotion activities in Cuba.

The House of Representatives followed through with passage of the farm bill Wednesday, sending the Agriculture Improvement Act of 2018 to President Trump for signature. House members voted 369 to 47 in favor of the bill. Of the votes against the bill, 44 were Republicans and just three were Democrats. The action followed Tuesday’s passage in the Senate, 87 to 13. The long-awaited five-year farm bill replaces the expired 2014 farm bill. House Agriculture Committee Chairman Mike Conaway, says the bill “sets us on a better path – for producers, for rural communities and American consumers.” The House action met obvious fanfare from the agriculture community. Agriculture Secretary Sonny Perdue, whose department will be charged with implementing the bill once signed, said there were “missed opportunities” in forest management and work requirement for certain SNAP recipients, but adds the bill does provides a strong safety net for farmers and ranchers, “who need the dependability and certainty” from Washington.

The Senate Tuesday afternoon approved the 2018 farm bill, titled the Agriculture Improvement Act of 2018. Senators, without debate, approved the bill 87 to 13, placing action on the House of Representatives to pass and send the legislation to President Trump for his signature.

Ranking Democrat of the House Agriculture Committee last week said “almost all” House Democrats support the bill. Voting against the bill were mainly Republican Senators including, Jon Kyl of Arizona, Rand Paul of Kentucky, Marco Rubio of Florida, Tom Cotton of Arkansas, Jeff Flake of Arizona, Chuck Grassley of Iowa, Mike Lee of Utah, Mike Enzi of Wyoming, John Barasso of Wyoming, Pat Toomey of Pennsylvania, John Kennedy of Louisiana, Ron Johnson of Wisconsin and Lisa Murkowski of Alaska.

Farm groups across the spectrum of agriculture expressed support for the bill and called on lawmakers to move the farm bill across the finish line. The American Farm Bureau Federation endorsed the bill while calling for final approval. AFBF President Zippy Duvall called the bill a “complete package” gives farmers and ranchers the needed tools to “weather this ongoing storm,” referring to the farm economy.

National Farmers Union President Roger Johnson says passage of the bill “cannot come soon enough” as farmers and ranchers face the worst farm economy decline in more than 30 years. Johnson calls the bill a “critical step” towards providing relief.