Mexico

Senate Finance Committee Chair Oregon’s Ron Wyden, and Ranking Member Idaho’s Mike Crapo, are calling for the administration to continue to press for strong enforcement of USMCA.  Thursday’s letter to U.S. Trade Representative Katherine Tai says such enforcement will ensure American trading partners live up to their obligations.   Crapo and Wyden sa...

In todays Focus On Fruit, Jennie Strong with the Washington Apple Commission talks about trade and and exports as the New Year gets underway.     If you have a story idea for the PNW Ag Network, call (509) 547-9791, or e-mail glenn.vaagen@to...

Ag Secretary Tom Vilsack said this week there will be no compromise when it comes to the Mexican corn situation.  The U.S. won’t back down or compromise on its stance against Mexico’s plan to ban imports of genetically modified yellow corn.  Vilsack says the Am...

U.S. beef production is expected to decrease in 2023, which will impact export volumes.  Despite that, Dan Halstrom U.S. Meat Export Federation President and CEO, said he sees new possibilities for the industry.   “This is an opportunity in 2023, knowing that we will be down on beef production in total, to diversify our portfolio on a product side and provide more options to our customers around t

Doug McKalip, was confirmed as President Biden’s Chief Ag Trade Negotiator with the U.S. Trade Representative’s office just before Christmas.  He now faces a huge challenge to expand overseas market access.  It’s not a new issue for McKalip, who has roughly 30 years’ experience at USDA, including as an advisor to Secretary Vilsack.   “Recently at USDA, I helped spearh...

Fall Creek Farm & Nursery has signed on as the exclusive sponsor of the U.S. Highbush Blueberry Council’s Blueberry Leadership Program.  USHBC said this gives fellows an in-depth look into up-and-coming genetic innovations within the industry.  Fall Creek Farm &...

Twenty-four members of the House of Representatives Ways and Means Committee recently sent a letter to U.S. Trade Representative Katherine Tai about Mexico.  They want a resolution to a lingering trade dispute with Mexico over biotech corn imports.   “...

WAFLA’s new CEO says he’s looking forward to representing farm workers and an industry that has been a big part of his entire life.  Enrique Gastelum took over leadership of the organization this spring, and says one of his biggest priorities is showing those in the farming community, and those outside the industry, the important role H-2A plays.  Gastelum says the v...

U.S. grains in all forms, better known as GIAF, exports for the 2021-2022 marketing year topped 122 million metric tons, the second-highest total on record, just behind 2020-2021's 129 million metric tons.  The U.S. Grains Council analyzed USDA data to find near-record exports of ethanol helped offset losses from corn, barley, and barley products.  Mexico ...

Last week, WAFLA announced it is working with Stanford University to research the economic and social outcomes for farmworkers who migrate from Mexico.  In this pilot project, Stanford researchers will speak with and compare the experiences of farmworkers who remain in Mexico and those who participate in the H-2A program via WAFLA.  Scott D...