It’s been a long and busy year for Secretary of Agriculture Sonny Perdue, but here at the end he is still short-staffed at USDA and could use some help from Santa to get the job done. “I had no idea we would be delayed like this and it’s unfortunate,” said Sec. Perdue in a recent interview with Iowa Agribusiness Network‘s …
USDA Boosts Corn for Ethanol Forecast
Ethanol is driving up demand for corn in the December supply demand estimate from USDA. The forecast for 2017-18 increases the amount of corn used to produce ethanol by 50 million bushels to 5.525 billion, based on less sorghum going to ethanol production. Corn ending stocks are lowered in turn by 50 million bushels but the impact on the season-average …
Secretary Perdue Comments on RVO Numbers
During a visit to the Agricultural Retailers Association conference and expo in Phoenix on Thursday, Secretary of Agriculture Sonny Perdue was asked to comment on the final Renewable Fuel Standard (RFS) renewable volume obligations (RVOs) for 2018. The Secretary noted that the requirement for conventional renewable fuels like corn ethanol is capped at 15 billion gallons, so that’s as high …
Corn Harvest Wrapping Up
The corn harvest is not quite finished, but weekly USDA crop progress reports are done for the year. According to the last report issued on Monday, 95 percent of the corn crop nationwide is in the bin, less than the 98 percent average for the end of November. Michigan, Ohio and Wisconsin are dragging behind with less than 90 percent …
Get Ready for the Census of Agriculture
It’s that time farmers. The 2017 Census of Agriculture is coming in December. The survey is conducted by the USDA National Agricultural Statistics Service. It has been conducted since 1840 and is a complete count of U.S. farms and ranches and the people who operate them. It takes place every five years. During the NAFB Trade Talk session I visited …
Secretary Sonny’s First Visit to NAFB
Secretary of Agriculture Sonny Perdue made his first visit to the National Association of Farm Broadcasting (NAFB) annual convention, where he made a stop in at Trade Talk and then spent nearly an hour talking with broadcasters. The secretary’s first topic was the launch of USDA’s new resources to support veterans who might wish to pursue opportunities in agriculture, agribusiness, …
Perdue Praises Pruitt’s RFS Decision
Agriculture Secretary Sonny Perdue traveled to Omaha yesterday to swear-in new Under Secretary for Marketing and Regulatory Programs Greg Ibach in his home state. “Greg Ibach will bring experience and integrity to his new role at USDA, and carries with him the knowledge he’s gained in the dozen years he has served as Nebraska’s Director of Agriculture,” said Secretary Perdue. …
Report Finds Opportunities for Ethanol and DDG Exports
A new report from USDA’s Economic Research Service (ERS) says an increase in global ethanol mandates is creating additional export opportunities for the U.S. ethanol industry, but it depends on the ability to increase production and keep those markets open. According to Global Ethanol Mandates: Opportunities for U.S. Exports of Ethanol and DDGS, 26 countries have implemented blending mandates since …
Help Finally on the Way for USDA
Secy Perdue greets McKinney and Censky before Senate hearing (USDA Photo) Over five months after he took office, Agriculture Secretary Sonny Perdue finally has some help on the way. Yesterday, the Senate voted to formally approved the nominations of Stephen Censky as Deputy Secretary of Agriculture, and Ted McKinney as Under Secretary of Agriculture for Trade and Foreign Agricultural Affairs. …
USDA Trade Mission Heading to Brazil
A USDA Foreign Agriculture Service trade mission to São Paulo and Recife, Brazil, is underway this week with ethanol industry leaders looking to expand their agricultural exports and further develop their business relationships in Brazil. “Brazil holds significant untapped market potential for U.S. exporters,” said Mark Slupek, deputy administrator of the Office of Trade Programs for USDA’s Foreign Agricultural Service. …