The U.S. corn industry may see lower, but still strong, production according to U.S. Department of Agriculture reports released. Lower forecast production coupled with somewhat decreased demand results in higher cost projections, with the mid-range projected 40 cents higher than the previous year. This report, the first forecasting overall U.S. corn supply and demand for the next marketing year, projected lower production with both lower acreage and yields forecast as compared with the previous year. The yield, projected to 174 bushels per acre, is based on a weather-adjust trend assuming that both planting progress and summer weather remain normal in comparison with that seen over the prior thirty years. If realized, it would be the third-highest yield on record. Beginning stocks are projected lower than the prior year and, thus, the total corn supply would be down 675 million bushels from the year before at a total 16.3 billion bushels. Total corn use is projected to decline slightly in 2018/19, with lower projected domestic use and exports. Growth in the projected demand for corn for use in ethanol and non-ethanol food, seed and industrial uses partly offset declines in the aforementioned areas. Ending stocks are expected at lower levels for 2018/19 with 1.68 billion bushels, down 500 million bushels from the year prior. The 2018/19 season-average corn price received by farmers is projected to be between $3.30 to $4.30 per bushel. While this range is wider than that forecast for the year prior, its midpoint is 40 cents higher.

With planting beginning in much of the country, the National Corn Growers Association invites farmers to register early for NCGA’s National Corn Yield Contest and save big on entry fees. Until June 29, fees will be reduced to $75. Two new rules will be implemented in 2018. First, a recheck of 1.2500 acres or more using the same harvest pattern in the rows next to the complete harvest is required if the first check yields 300.000 bushels per acre or higher. Secondly, all yields of 325.0000 bushels per acre or higher require the supervisor to contact NCGA to report the first yield as well as the recheck yield. Additionally, the rules have been amended to more clearly define the differences between entries in the non-irrigated and irrigated categories. Winners receive national recognition in publications such as the NCYC Corn Yield Guide, as well as cash trips or other awards from participating sponsoring seed, chemical and crop protection companies. The winners will be honored during Commodity Classic 2019 in Orlando, Florida.

China is stepping up inspections of pork imports from the United States. Ports are opening and inspecting every cargo that arrives, according to a report by Reuters, compared with inspections carried out only “randomly” in the past. Some trade experts see the move, along with other similar actions by China, as a warning to the United States in response to U.S. demands made last week. An agriculture analyst at China Policy, a Beijing-based consultancy, told Reuters that increased checks on U.S. products are “not terribly surprising,” adding that when trade tensions are high, “China will enforce every possible regulation on its books.” The inspections mean delays at Chinese ports with U.S. pork now sitting in port for up to two weeks, instead of a few days. The move to increase inspections follows a 25 percent additional tariff China has placed on U.S. pork and other goods stemming from a trade dispute with the United States.

Trade and agriculture officials from the United States Wednesday announced a Word Trade Organization counter notification on India’s market price support for wheat and rice. The notification, filed May 4, 2018, is the first ever of its type under the WTO Agreement on Agriculture regarding measures by another country. Based on U.S. calculations, it appears that India has substantially underreported its market price support for wheat and rice. When calculated according to WTO Agreement on Agriculture methodology, India’s market price support for wheat and rice far exceeded its allowable levels of trade-distorting domestic support, according to U.S. Trade Representative Robert Lighthizer and Agriculture Secretary Sonny Perdue. Secretary Perdue says “India must be transparent about their practices.” Lighthizer says accurate reporting and improved transparency “is an important step” in ensuring that India is living up to it’s WTO commitments.

A report from American Farmland trust released Wednesday finds that between 1992 and 2012, almost 31 million acres of farmland were lost, equal to all the farmland in Iowa. The “Farms Under Threat: The State of America’s Farmland” report, according to American Farmland Trust, shows the loss of farmland “is serious” and “will accelerate” unless action is taken. The report found that of the 31 million acres lost in that time, 11 million of those acres were among the best farmland in the nation. The data found that 62 percent of all development between 1992 and 2012 occurred on farmland, and expanding urban areas accounted for 59 percent of the loss. An American Farmland Trust spokesperson says action is needed now “because the lost farmland is irretrievable.” The organization further states that allowing large-scale farmland loss to continue “imperils our ability to feed our growing population.” It also challenges the nation’s economic prosperity.

Trade talks with China will continue next week, according to President Donald Trump. President Trump says he and China’s President Xi Jinping will talk over the phone next week as both sides are willing to work towards a consensus, according to Reuters. A U.S. delegation traveled to China last week with no agreement on a long list of demands. Meanwhile, China’s top economic official is expected to visit Washington, D.C. next week to resume the negotiations sparked by U.S. tariffs. China is imposing and threatening tariffs of U.S. agricultural products, including a 25 percent soybean tariff. Meanwhile, the Trump trade team is currently working on the North American Free Trade Agreement with counterparts from Canada and Mexico, hoping to reach an agreement within the next few weeks.

The Missouri Department of Agriculture’s MORE strategic vision has announced 16 individual initiatives that will take the MORE vision and put it into action. The Department will be targeting workforce development, youth in agriculture, food insecurity, agriculture business, broadband availability, emergency response, the Missouri citizen experience and others. The MORE initiatives were built from direct advice collected during the Reach MORE Tour, where the Department’s team met with more than 2,000 farmers, ranchers and agriculture leaders from across the state. Through that feedback, along with input from employees throughout the Department, 16 initiatives were designed to be focused on agriculture and rural communities. “The number one priority for me as your Director of Agriculture has been to build up agriculture and communities to thrive for the next generation,” Director of Agriculture Chris Chinn. “Through this bigger, bolder approach to rethinking state government, I am confident we can move the needle further and increase the quality of life for all Missourians.”

The Renewable Fuels Association is pleased with reports that a White House meeting held Tuesday on the Renewable Fuel Standard (RFS) resulted in an agreement that would allow the year-round use of E15 and put to rest the idea of a price cap on Renewable Identification Numbers (RINs), which is seen as a big win for farmers and ethanol producers. However, the petroleum side has also gained from the deal, it is reported that the White House is pushing for a reallocation the approximately 1.6 billion gallons of renewable volume obligations to be exempted by the EPA through “small refinery” waivers by allowing exported ethanol gallons to count toward an obligated party’s blending requirement, which would then allow that amount to act as an export subsidy which is likely to result in retaliatory trade actions.