Articles by Bill Tomson

A recently released USDA audit of Brazil's ability to produce safe beef calls into question the country's "equivalency" status that allows it access to the U.S. market, according to government, industry and food safety advocates. At a minimum the audit shows that Brazil still has some serious regulatory hurdles to clear before the country can resume shipping its renowned grass-fed beef cuts to the U.S.

There’s still confusion surrounding whether or not the Department of Agriculture is working to put together a contingency plan to help out farmers if the U.S. pulls out of the North American Free Trade Agreement, but experts say such a plan really wouldn’t help much in a worst-case scenario.

It was difficult for much of the U.S. ag sector to watch as President Donald Trump pulled the U.S. out of the Trans-Pacific Partnership (TPP) about 10 months ago and now the pain is sharpening as the remaining 11 countries appear to be on the verge of ratifying the massive trade pact without one of the founding members.

China may come to mind first when it comes to untapped foreign market potential, but India is right up there when it comes to ethanol.

A powerful group of Republican and Democratic House and Senate members is launching a new attack on the USDA program that regulates sugar production and protects farmers from price fluctuations.

Washington, Nov. 1, 2017 – As improbable as it may sound, South Koreans are eating less rice these days. And even more unlikely sounding, the U.S. is exporting more than it ever has to the Asian nation that doesn’t allow private companies to import the grain directly.

WASHINGTON, Nov. 1, 2017 - The U.S. farming sector is quickly losing confidence that the Trump administration is looking out for farmers' interests as it negotiates a new North American Free Trade Agreement.