Agri-Pulse DriveTime Podcast

End of year financials are sobering for some farmers in some regions of the country. Commodity presidents Caleb Ragland of the American Soybean Association and Jed Bower of the National Corn Growers Association discuss challenges.  USDA Undersecretary Richard Fordyce discusses farm assistance. 

The Senate Finance Committee approved Julie Callahan to serve as Chief Ag Negotiator at the Office of the U.S. Trade Representative. NCBA's Ethan Lane says the EPA's new WOTUS rule will be harder to change in future administrations. China purchased U.S. soybeans this week, but not because of the price.

Harvesting of U.S. corn and soybeans is nearing completion despite weather challenges this week. Crops in the Southern Hemisphere are advancing with good yield prospects. China has purchased more soybeans from the U.S. at prices higher than Brazilian supplies. 

The Trump Environmental Protection Agency released a proposal to redefine waters of the United States to better conform with an earlier Supreme Court Ruling. The proposal will see a 45 day comment period. The USDA is opening enrollment for a second phase of its Supplemental Disaster Relief Program. 

Iowa Senator Charles Grassley doesn't expect Congress to dictate how USDA offers financial assistance to farmers this year. Grassley told reporters he hopes China keeps their word on soybean purchases. Commodity prices fall after record yields are forecast for this year. 

A new analysis from the Institute for Feed Education and Research shows a greater reliance on Chinese feed supplements. The U.S. and Mexican governments announced the opening of a new sterile fly dispersal facility. An Indiana dairy farmer is the new chair of the National Milk Producers Federation.