Agri-Pulse DriveTime Podcast

President Donald Trump is expected to sign a pair of executive orders to expand beef imports and grow the domestic cattle herd, according to a White House official. The National Cattlemen's Beef Association opposes the move. The Senate Agriculture Committee will address fertilizer price and availability at a hearing tomorrow. One witness says the industry is in a crisis. 

The Trump administration has reached a settlement in an antitrust case against data-sharing company Agri Stats. The Justice Department is continuing its investigation in the beef processing industry.  The Court of International Trade ruled President Trump's tariffs on global imports is illegal. The USDA announced today the implementation of the Whole Milk for Healthy Kids Act. 

President Trump has given the European Union until July 4 to approve the trade deal approved last year. Brazilian President da Silva says the war with Iran is not over and will cause more damage than Trump imagines. Drought area in the U.S. is growing. Frost and cold temperatures could be a threat to newly emerging crops. 

Union Pacific and Norfolk Southern are again seeking approval from the Surface Transportation Board to merge, forming the nation's first coast to coast railroad company. President Trump is expect to host Brazilian President Luiz Incio Lula da Silva for talks about shared economic and security issues. Gasoline prices are up 31-cents a gallon over the last week, that's over 50% higher than a year ago. 

Farmers indicated a more challenging outlook in the latest Ag Economy Outlook Barometer. Iowa Soybean farmer Dave Walton testified before a USTR hearing today saying trade sanctions have proven to cost farmers global markets. Walton is hopeful soybeans are included in the upcoming trade summit with President Trump and Chinese leader Xi later this month. 

A Trump cabinet official says "help is on the way" for high gasoline prices. Corn and soybean planting is advancing and wheat condition continues to slip with less than a third of winter wheat acres rated either good or excellent. Acting Attorney General Todd Blanche says an investigation is underway of the major beef processors potential anticompetitive conduct.