Adam Liptak reported in Friday’s New York Times that, “The Supreme Court on Thursday upheld a California law that sought to address cruelty to animals, saying the state could require pork sold there but produced elsewhere to come from breeding pigs housed in spaces that allow them to move around freely.”
Farm Policy News
“China May Cancel More US Corn,” as Extension Agreement on Black Sea Grain Deal “Nearing”
Bloomberg writer Hallie Gu reported today that, “Top corn importer China could cancel more purchases of the grain from the US because the country can buy more cheaply from Brazil and as some local producers of hog feed replace corn with wheat in their rations.”
Black Sea Grain Deal Talks Continue; FAS Highlights Russian Grain and Oilseed Exports
Reuters writer Daren Butler reported yesterday that, “Turkish Foreign Minister Mevlut Cavusoglu said on Wednesday he thought the Ukraine Black Sea grain deal could be extended for at least two more months, as officials from the parties involved held the first day of talks on an extension in Istanbul.”
Food Prices Climb 7.7 Percent Over the Last Year
Gabriel T. Rubin reported on the front page of today’s Wall Street Journal that, “Inflation edged slightly lower in April, likely keeping the Federal Reserve on course to pause interest-rate increases at its next meeting.”
Black Sea Grain Exports Resume- at Slow Pace, as U.S. Corn Exports in Focus
Reuters writer Michelle Nichols reported yesterday that, “The United Nations said inspections resumed on Tuesday of outbound vessels under a deal allowing the safe Black Sea export of Ukraine grain, which Moscow has threatened to quit on May 18 over obstacles to its own grain and fertilizer exports.”
No Black Sea Ship Inspections Sunday, Monday; China’s Foreign Minister Meets U.S. Ambassador
Reuters writer Michelle Nichols reported yesterday that, “The United Nations said no ships were inspected on Sunday or Monday under a deal allowing the safe Black Sea export of Ukraine grain, which Moscow has threatened to quit on May 18 over obstacles to its own grain and fertilizer exports.”
Black Sea Grain Export Deal “Effectively Stopped,” Ukraine Says
Reuters writer Olena Harmash reported today that, “Russia has effectively stopped the Black sea grain deal by refusing to register incoming vessels, Ukraine’s reconstruction ministry said on Monday.”
2022 U.S. Ag Exports Highest on Record, Focus on Corn, Soybeans and Wheat
Last week, the USDA’s Foreign Agricultural Service (FAS) released its 2022 U.S. Agricultural Export Yearbook, a statistical summary of U.S. agricultural commodity exports. Today’s update includes highlights from the report, with a focus on corn, soybeans and wheat.
Fertilizer Prices “Well Below Year-Ago Levels”
DTN writer Russ Quinn reported last week that, “Most average retail fertilizer prices continued to be down from the previous month in the fourth week of April 2023, according to sellers surveyed by DTN.”
Global Food Prices Climb, as “U.S. Corn Export Sales Hit Record Low”
Bloomberg writers Megan Durisin and Mumbi Gitau reported today that, “Global food prices rose for the first time in a year, just as the rampant run-up in grocery costs begins to cool in some countries.”
Wheat Climbs Following Kremlin Attack, While “China Has Approved the Safety of a Gene-Edited Soybean”
Bloomberg writers Megan Durisin and James Poole reported today that, “Wheat and corn futures steadied after Wednesday’s jump, as markets weigh up escalating tensions in the Black Sea region against burgeoning global supply.”
Black Sea Grain Talks to Continue, Wheat Slides, as Dollar Value in Focus
Reuters News reported today that, “The Kremlin said on Wednesday that Russia would continue talks with the United Nations and other parties to the Black Sea grain deal, and that Moscow would not do anything to harm its own interests.”
Iowa Farmers Worried, “Profits Per Acre Are a Concern,” China Food Security in Focus
Donnelle Eller reported on the front page of the Sunday Des Moines Register that, “Iowa farmers have a lot on their minds as they hook tractors onto planters this year: Skyrocketing interest rates are helping drive a 20% hike in the cost to plant the crop, along with higher seed, fertilizer, chemical and land costs, said Chad Hart, an Iowa State University agricultural economist.”
EU Reaches Agreement with Poland and Other Member States on Ukrainian Grain Imports
Financial Times writer Andy Bounds reported late last week that, “Poland and three other EU member states are to lift a ban on imports of Ukrainian foodstuffs under a deal reached with Brussels on Friday.”
Fertilizer Prices Mixed, as Anhydrous Drops Below $1,000; Diesel Prices in Focus
DTN writer Russ Quinn reported last week that, “Most retail fertilizer prices continued to shift lower the third week of April 2023, according to retailers tracked by DTN. However, for the first time in several months, multiple fertilizers were slightly higher.”
Flooding Concerns Along Upper Mississippi River Basin Persist
Scott Dance reported in Saturday’s Washington Post that, “Record winter snowfall across northern Minnesota, which quickly melted in a spell of unprecedented spring heat, is dramatically swelling waterways along the upper Mississippi River basin.”
Flooding Impacts Upper Mississippi Barge Traffic, as “Corn Hit its Lowest in Nine Months”
In its weekly Grain Transportation Report yesterday, the USDA’s Agricultural Marketing Service (AMS) indicated that, “On April 24, American Commercial Barge Line reported it had no boats on the Upper Mississippi River above St. Louis, MO, because of flooding conditions and lock closures. Currently, above Lock 17 (which is near New Boston, IL), all locks and dams are closed, and no freight is being accepted along the Twin Cities and Mid-Mississippi portions of the river.”
Canadian Farmers Expect More Wheat Acres This Year, “The Most in 22 Years”
Dow Jones writer Robb M. Stewart reported yesterday that, “Canadian farmers expect to plant more wheat this year, and increase crops of canola and soybeans.”
Black Sea Grain Discussions “Center Stage”
Wall Street Journal writers Jared Malsin and Alan Cullison reported in today’s paper that, “Russia is piling pressure on Ukraine and Western governments over a deal that reopened key Ukrainian ports for vital grain exports, renewing threats to back out of the agreement that lowered global food prices last year.”
Kremlin Sees No Progress on Black Sea Grain Deal, as Political Division Surrounding Ukrainian Farm Exports Continues; Wheat Prices at 21-Month Low
Reuters News reported today that, “The Kremlin reaffirmed its position on Tuesday that the Black Sea grain deal is not working for Moscow, a day after the head of the United Nations handed Russia a letter with proposals to improve and expand it.”