Cotton versus Textiles The so-called "Cotton Four" (C-4) African countries pushing for an end to subsidies on cotton in rich countries have apparently modified their demand in the Bali declaration negotiations to the more modest provision of duty-free, quota-free access for their product. The plea is understandable from the standpoint that the U.S. applies an in-quota duty on cotton under the African Growth and Opportunity Act (AGOA). The C-4 should also support the trade facilitation provision on tariff rate quota (TRQ) administration since the fill rate on U.S. cotton TRQs is only 25 percent.However, their demand is obviated by two important factors: 1) it is unclear that they would still be competitive with their cotton, and 2) the...
What You Need to Know Today: Chinese purchases of U.S. soybeans continued to accelerate, with USDA reporting another 558 KMT sold to China and 236 KMT to unknown destinations. Combined with sales announced Wednesday and Thursday, the latest purchases bring the three-day total to approximately...
Key Takeaways: With the fall calf run now upon us, producers are finally getting a glimpse of what their realized profits will be for 2026. Some producers may have already obtained a strong estimate of 2026 revenues, especially if calves were forward sold in, for example, the mid-summer...
As fall begins, wild migratory birds are starting their seasonal migration. That has the industry and government officials worried about the potential spread, again, of highly pathogenic avian influenza (HPAI). Some members of Congress have called for the United States to be prepared for a pote...
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