More than 2,800 retail sites will offer E15 by 2021, generating approximately 350 million new ethanol gallons annually, according to a report released by Growth Energy. The report touts the success of E15 and the accomplishments of Prime the Pump, a nonprofit organization dedicated to helping build the infrastructure and distribution of higher biofuel blends, to give more Americans the choice of E15 at the pump. “Thanks to the hard work and generosity of participants in the Prime the Pump program, American consumers can purchase E15 at more than 1,400 locations across 29 states,” said Growth Energy CEO Emily Skor. “American drivers have logged more than 4 billion miles on E15, because when we give them a better option, consumers are choosing E15 again and again.”

The Missouri Department of Agriculture reminds all farmers and pesticide applicators across Missouri that, according to Missouri’s 24c label, all applications of ENGENIA, FEXAPAN and XTENDIMAX for the 2018 growing season must come to a halt when any of the following apply:
-Soybeans reach the first reproductive growth stage (R1 – first flower).
Wind is blowing in the direction of neighboring sensitive crops (ex. non-dicamba tolerant soybeans, vegetable and fruit crops, etc.).
-Spraying cut-off dates have passed.
The Missouri 24c labels for ENGENIA, FEXAPAN and XTENDIMAX prohibit the use of these three products after June 10, 2018, in Southeast Missouri and after July 15, 2018, in all remaining Missouri counties. It is a violation of state and federal law to use pesticides in a manner inconsistent with the directions, restrictions and limitations found on the labels. This information, including the full list of this year’s Missouri 24c restrictions, can be found online at Agriculture.Mo.Gov/dicamba.

President Donald Trump is taking the trade war with China to an unprecedented level that would impose tariffs on nearly every export China sends to the United States. Following the announcement Monday night by Trump that he is seeking an additional $200 billion worth of tariffs, China is looking to retaliate, again. Trump says if China does, he would seek to impose another additional $200 billion in tariffs, taxing a total of $450 billion of the $505 billion of Chinese goods sent to the U.S. each year. In its response, China called the extreme pressure from Trump “blackmail,” adding that if the U.S. becomes “irrational” and issues the proposed list of products, China will “have to adopt” strong countermeasures. China has already vowed to impose tariffs on U.S. agricultural products, such as soybeans and pork, and many others, including corn, sorghum and beef.

A great way to help pollinators prosper, and help our food production system in the process, is to plant things they like to eat or use for habitat. As owners and managers of large amounts of land, farmers are stepping up to do their part. Monday kicked off the official 2018 Pollinator week which has been designated as June 18-24, and farmers interests in helping pollinators continue to grow. It’s estimated that pollinators provide us with one out of every three bites of food. They also sustain our ecosystems and produce our natural resources by helping plants reproduce. NCGA as well as other organizations are proud to assist in spreading the word through its active role in the Honey Bee Health Coalition and Farmers for Monarchs, these sites offer tools, resources and initiatives to support pollinator health year round.

Agriculture Secretary Sonny Perdue, visiting a puppy kennel in Maryland Monday, had time to visit the dogs, but when it came time to answer reporters’ questions about the latest trade conflict with China, that was a different story. Perdue, a former veterinarian, came to Farmsteads Puppy Paradise for ideas to improve kennels nationwide, some long-seen as ‘puppy mills,’ and, after weeks of answering questions on the damage from the president’s trade wars with China and others, Perdue needed to find a ‘paradise,’ away from those questions, though it looked like fun at first, until the trade issue came up. “We don’t have time, sorry,” the response from a press aide, as Secretary Perdue, surrounded by his communications team and security detail scurried to the door to their waiting Chevy Suburban. Perdue’s failure to take press questions after an hour-and-half at the kennel stood in stark contrast to major farm groups’ concerns, Chinese tariffs on US soybeans, beef, pork and other goods will do lasting damage in those markets. Farmers for Free Trade Executive Direct Brian Kuehl says that the administration has taken a “scatter-shot” approach to trade. The very countries that Kuehl says the US needs, to put pressure on China. And, those countries have now placed tariffs of their own on US farm goods, while adding new uncertainty to the fate of trade talks like NAFTA.

The U.S. House faces a Friday deadline to revote on the current farm bill proposal. As of Monday, the farm bill, passed out of committee with Republican support only, was not on the schedule to be considered on the house floor. However, House Majority Leader Kevin McCarthy, who publishes the weekly schedule, did include: “Possible consideration of legislation related to border security and Immigration,” and added that “Additional legislative items are possible.” The Freedom Caucus, a group of 30-some Republicans, blocked the farm bill from advancing by voting against it, demanding a vote on immigration. Meanwhile, the Hagstrom Report says prospects for immigration legislation in the House remained murky amidst confusion over President Donald Trump’s position. The Senate could bring its version of the farm bill to a vote as early as this Thursday, and leadership has vowed to complete the farm bill process before the July Fourth recess.

China placed a 25 percent retaliatory tariff on multiple U.S. goods, including sorghum, soybeans, cotton, wheat, vegetables, beef, pork, and others and will go into effect on July 6. This action was in response to the U.S. issuing a 25 percent tariff Friday on 1,102 Chinese goods. National Sorghum Producers Chairman and Nebraska farmer Don Bloss issued the following statement: “National Sorghum Producers, alongside our producers, stakeholders and partners, have already seen the market uncertainty and price fluctuations that occur when China retaliates on U.S. goods. We urge President Trump and the Administration to move forward with constructive trade negotiations that will end tariffs on U.S. agriculture, especially during times of existing economic stress. American farmers depend on trade with China, and these tariffs will have devastating effects on U.S. agriculture. We greatly value our business relationship with Chinese buyers and hope to see this win-win relationship move forward.”

(ASA) Weeks of speculation have ended with new anxiety for growers of America’s leading agricultural export: President Trump announced Friday he is indeed levying a 25 percent tariff on $50 billion of Chinese products under Section 301 of the Trade Act of 1974. This decision not only inflames trade tensions between the two countries, but also means that U.S. soybean growers, who shipped roughly $14 billion in soybeans last year to China, their number one export market, stand to quickly feel the impact of retaliatory tariffs. Chinese government officials have announced that their response to Trump’s widespread trade tax on Chinese goods will be quick and certain, which is bad news for soybeans farmers. A study by Purdue University economists predicts that soybean exports to China could drop by as much as 65 percent if China imposes a retaliatory 25 percent tariff on U.S. soybeans. Davie Stephens, Kentucky soybean grower and Vice President of ASA, is among growers distraught over the newly-announced tariffs, and China’s possible retaliation. “Crop prices have dropped 40 percent in the last five years, and farm income is down 50 percent compared to 2013. As a soy grower, I depend on trade with China. China imports roughly 60 percent of total U.S. soybean exports, representing nearly 1 in 3 rows of harvested soybeans,” Stephens said. “This is a vital and robust market that soy growers have spent over 40 years building and, frankly, it’s not a market U.S. soybean farmers can afford to lose.”