Agri-Pulse DriveTime Podcast

U.S. Trade Ambassador Jamieson Greer wasn't willing to commit on whether the Trump administration would favor a trilateral USMCA Trade Agreement or prefer a bilateral deal with both Canada and Mexico. Senate Republicans appear willing to find additional financial assistance for crop farmers. The Fed lowered interest rates today. 

American Soybean Association President Caleb Ragland says growers appreciate the Trump administration's efforts to provide financial assistance to farmers suffering from enormous economic headwinds. Ragland says Washington could help with favorable legislation and regulatory decisions to stimulate crop demand. 

The Trump administration announced a $12 billion dollar financial assistance package today for farmers impacted by a loss of global markets and high input costs. The USDA's WASDE report tomorrow could include revised export estimates for major commodities. 

USDA Deputy Secretary Stephen Vaden says the Trump administration started from ground zero on opening trade opportunities for U.S. farmers. Vaden says the agency will announce a financial assistance package for farmers next week. The Plant Based Products Council announces new research showing favorable consumer acceptance for plant based products. 

Leaders of the National Corn Growers Association and American Soybean Association shared their review of the USMCA trade agreement in Washington this week. AgResource Company's Dan Basse believes China used the futures market to secure promised purchases of U.S. soybeans. 

Agriculture groups say China's lack of purchases of ag commodities under the Phase One trade deal is only a part of their failure to live up to previous commitments. The EIA reports record ethanol production. Land O' Lakes is teaming with Microsoft to introduce AI tools for agriculture.