A coalition of trade associations wants the International Longshore and Warehouse Union and the Pacific Maritime Association to start contract discussions early. The National Pork Producers Council joined the coalition in a letter urging them to begin early negotiations on a contract extension or a new contract covering operations at West Coast shipping ports. Those groups, which represent dock workers and the companies that own West Coast port facilities, in 2014 and into early 2015 were involved in labor talks and a work slowdown that negatively affected U.S. exporters. The five-year contract extension signed last year expires in 2019. The 113 organizations representing trade and agribusiness groups are asking the parties to conclude labor talks before the expiration of the current contract. The letter says the discussions need to be continuous “to avoid actions that would slow, stop, or disrupt cargo movement during negotiations.”

Politico reports four organic-food industry executives held a fundraising event for Michigan Senator Debbie Stabenow last week, the Senate Agriculture Committee’s top Democrat. While Stabenow’s camp says the event was not planned to coincide with the GMO labeling vote, the vote occurred just days following the fundraiser in Anaheim, California. The event was co-hosted by executives from Whole Foods, Stonyfield Farms, Organic Valley and The Organic Trade Association. Organizers planned the event to be held during the Natural Products Expo in Anaheim where hundreds from the organic food industry were gathering. The Senate failed to pass the voluntary GMO labeling bill Wednesday, and Stabenow is calling for a mandatory labeling bill. Stabenow’s office would not say how much money she raised during Friday’s fundraiser. The four companies represented at the fundraiser have all donated to Stabenow in the past. Other companies giving to her campaign include Dow and employees from DuPont, Kellogg and Monsanto. The Biotechnology Industry Organization also contributed $2,000 to Stabenow in December. Stabenow said this week that while she supports biotechnology, she will not back Roberts’ bill.

USDA’s Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service is seeking vaccine manufacturers that can supply needed Foot and Mouth Disease vaccines if an outbreak of FMD should occur. USDA published a “sources sought” notice this week, meaning the federal agency is seeking out potential suppliers who can supply the types of FMD vaccine we need, in the amounts we need, in the timeframe we need, according to APHIS. During recent industry discussions, USDA says all parties recognized the increased need for a steady vaccine supply to combat FMD should it enter the country. APHIS would like to have a minimum of 25 million doses for each of the ten high-risk strains available.

Farm Banks Report Robust 2015 Performance

The American Bankers Association says agriculture lending increased 7.9 percent in 2015. The Farm Bank Performance Report released this week by ABA found farm banks produced $100.3 billion in agriculture loans at the end of last year. Farm banks reported continued improvement in asset quality in 2015, with non-current loans declining to a pre-recession level of 0.47 percent of total loans. The report also shows that small and micro-small loans made up almost half of agricultural lending by banks in 2015. Looking ahead to 2016 and beyond, an ABA spokesperson said the banks remain well positioned to continue serving the needs of their communities despite any potential turbulence in the ag sector. The nation’s 1,976 farm banks — defined as those whose ratio of domestic farm loans to total domestic loans is greater than or equal to the industry average — added more than 2,500 jobs, a 2.9 percent increase, and employed 90,000 rural Americans.

Retail sales of farm tractors less than 40 horsepower were up 26.2 percent last month compared to February of 2015. The Association of Equipment Manufacturers says the numbers show a strong start to 2016 and a continuation of last year’s trend with year-to-date growth of 19.7 percent. Retail sales for 2WD tractors of 40-100 horsepower grew by 5.8 percent in February compared to last year bringing the year-to-date growth to minus .9 percent. However, AEM notes that there continues to be volatility in this tractor segment. The expected decline in 2016 farm income and in particular the 4.3 percent decline in livestock receipts will be challenging. Larger production agriculture farm equipment such as the two wheel drive 100 horsepower and up category continued its double-digit declines. The four wheel drive farm tractor segment declined by single digits in January; however, the February report revealed a 43.6 percent decline year over year.

The presidential proclamation to suspend benefits for South Africa under the African Growth and Opportunities Act, or AGOA, as of March 15th, 2016, has been revoked. The White House made the announcement this week, according to Pro Farmers First Thing Today. The White House notes that “South Africa has met all the benchmarks to remain eligible” for the AGOA, including the restoration of market access for U.S. poultry, pork and beef products. Some issues on trade remain to be worked through, particularly on pork trade, where the U.S. National Pork Producers Council is calling for complete access to the South African market.