Livestock producers: Extend feed coverage... We advise livestock producers to cover remaining corn-for-feed needs in the cash market for December, January and February. Prices have found stiff support near the November lows and are at what we consider value levels. Price action could remain choppy ahead of the January production report, though we continue to anticipate production will come in below USDA’s expectations. You now have all needs through February covered in the cash market for corn. Meal needs are covered through February as well. Check our advice monitor at ProFarmer.com for updates to our marketing plan.
A USDA plan to relocate thousands of staff members and consolidate dozens of offices received “overwhelmingly negative” feedback from employees, lawmakers and stakeholders, Government Executive reported, citing concerns the move could lead to a significant talent drain and disrupt key support programs for farmers.
The USDA plan would relocate around 2,600 Washington, D.C., area employees to new locations, establishing five regional hubs in Raleigh, North Carolina; Kansas City, Missouri.; Indianapolis; Fort Collins, Colorado; and Salt Lake City, Utah.
USDA said the most common concerns surrounded the potential impact of reductions on personnel and resources, while commenters also complained that there had been insufficient transparency in the process, the report said. Stakeholders raised worries about the loss of “local oversight and expertise” and fears local staff knowledge could be replaced by “top-down management, risking misalignment with regional needs,” the report said.
Government Executive said the mostly negative feedback wasn’t expected to deter the Trump administration from proceeding with its plan, with several employees telling the publication the process was moving full steam ahead.
EU strikes deal in bid to keep South America trade deal on track
The European Union struck a tentative deal Wednesday that would put tighter controls on imports of farm products that would result from a planned trade agreement with South American trade bloc Mercosur in an effort to address complaints from critics of the deal, Reuters reported.
Mercosur, made up of Argentina, Brazil, Paraguay and Uruguay, struck a deal with the EU last December. It would create the EU’s largest trade accord after 25 years of talks. But France and Italy have said they’re not ready to back the agreement and have demanded additional safeguards to protect their farmers, the report noted.