Agri-Pulse DriveTime Podcast

Iowa Senator Charles Grassley today addressed the budget impasse approaching the end of the fiscal year, the disparity in farm income between crop and livestock farmers and the continued lack of soybean export sales to China. 

The USDA reports New World Screwworm has been detected in an 8-month old cow just 70 miles south of the U.S. border.  The USDA continues a ban on Mexican cattle imports and vows to work to protect the domestic beef herd. The USDA's latest forecast suggests record returns for livestock producers and a continued decline in crop farm receipts. 

China's absence from the purchase of new crop soybeans and other commodities has been well documented. Terrain's Dr. John Newton says there's still time to reverse the trend. Newton is featured on this week's Agri-Pulse Newsmakers. 

Without a political solution analysts suggest it could be months before China returns to the U.S. for major commodity supplies. Witnesses today called on House members to shift control of the Food for Peace Program to the USDA. 

Questions remain on whether recommendations on food ingredients and vaccines are based on scientific fact or leadership opinion. John Bode with the Corn Refiners Association says their industry will suffer consequences and consumers pay more for food. 

For a fourth time President Trump has extended the deadline to find a deal on new ownership for the video social media site TikTok. President Trump and Xi still plan to discuss a framework agreement on Friday. ASA President Caleb Ragland says farmers need open markets now.