Trump's tariffs, government funding and land values among issues making news this week.

Janet Kubat Willette, E-Content Editor

March 23, 2018

2 Min Read
NolanBerg11/flySnow/SteveOehlenschlager/ThinkstockPhotos

It’s been a busy news week, with tariffs and a government funding bill topping the news. Here’s a look back at seven agricultural stories from the week.

1. China responded to President Trump’s proposed tariffs on about $60 billion worth of Chinese-made products with tariffs of their own. China plans to impose $3 billion worth of tariffs on U.S. fruit, pork wine, seamless steel pipes and more than 100 other goods. – The New York Times

2. Congressional leaders released a $1.3 trillion spending plan for the remainder of the fiscal year late on Wednesday with voting to begin after noon on Thursday. The measure included funding for fencing on the U.S.-Mexican border wall, combating opioid addiction and building new roads. – Farm Futures 

3. Farm Futures latest survey shows farmers plan to put in 91.5 million acres of soybeans this spring, 1.5% more than a year ago. If achieved, the total would be the third straight record for soybeans and a shift in acreage that could lift plantings of soybeans above corn for the first time since 1983. – Farm Futures

4. The average value of Nebraska agriculture has declined by 3% over the last year, according to preliminary findings from the University of Nebraska-Lincoln Farm Real Estate Market Survey. This marks the fourth consecutive year of decline. Average market values have dropped 17% since reaching a high of $3,315 in 2014. – Nebraska Farmer 

5. The European Commission gave conditional approval to Bayer’s acquisition of Monsanto. – Farm Futures 

6. A 12,750 square-foot greenhouse expansion at the Kansas Wheat Innovation Center more than doubles the space dedicated to wheat genetic research. The four new greenhouse bays will house research space for both Kansas State University and Heartland Plant Innovations, and will be home to researchers from the Wheat Genetics Resource Center, K-State’s Poland Lab for Wheat Genetics and Heartland Plant Innovations. – Kansas Farmer

7. Despite farmers’ positive perceptions about cover crops and the availability of cost-share programs to incentivize their use, an Iowa State University study shows the return on investment may be the biggest hurdle to overcome for widespread adoption of the practice. – Wallace’s Farmer 

And your bonus. 

A bipartisan group of House members have introduced legislation to reauthorize the Farm and Ranch Stress Assistance Network. The STRESS Act, as it is known, was introduced by Reps. Tom Emmer, R-Minn., Tom O’Halleran, R-Ariz., Rick Nolan, D-Minn., David Young, R-Iowa, Mark Pocan, D-Wis., Rodney Davis, R-Ill., Michelle Lujan Grisham, D-N.M., John Katko, R-N.Y., and Chellie Pingree, D-Maine. – Farm Futures

 

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