The boost in income is due to high sales of livestock and crops. Net farm income for the year is forecast to be up 24 percent from the 2003 record year. Farmer debt is expected to be down from the past four years.
Source: AFBF; Executive Newswatch; Nov. 10, 2004

New insurance program offered for sorghum
Sorghum growers will have a new crop revenue insurance program for 2005.

Under the new program, sorghum producers in 34 counties in Texas will have the option to purchase the Group Risk Income Protection (GRIP) policy. Protection is based on county-wide results and is more affordable than policies rated and triggered based on an individual's history and results. The individual policies will still be available.
Source: Doane's Agricultural Report, Vol. 67, No. 45-1; Nov. 5, 2004

U.S. rejects Mexico's GM corn claims
The U.S. rejects the Mexican claim that imports of GM corn threaten to displace Mexico's native species, which gave rise to modern corn.

Mexico is trying to limit the importation of genetically modified corn from the U.S. after a NAFTA watchdog group recommended better regulation of the crop, something U.S. officials have said is unnecessary. Mexico imports about 5.6 million tons of U.S. corn a year. Between 30 percent and 50 percent of that corn is genetically modified.
Source: Doane's Agricultural Report, Vol. 67, No. 46-1; Nov. 12, 2004

Brazilian rice farmers challenge U.S. subsidies
Hoping to follow the success of cotton producers in challenging U.S. farm subsidies through the World Trade Organization (WTO), Brazilian rice farmers charge U.S. subsidies distort production and depress world prices.

Organizers are recruiting similar protests by Argentina and Uruguay to add to their clout.
Source: Doane's Agricultural Report, Vol. 67, No. 46-1; Nov. 12, 2004

Brazilian soy sales to China to soar
Brazilian sales to China will soar now that China has exempted Brazilian soy oil exporters from a limit of 100 parts per million (ppm) hexane in their product.

That's far tighter than the industry standard of 600 ppm and impossible to meet, according to Brazilian officials. The exemption is expected to boost Brazil's soy oil sales by 76 percent to more than 900,000 tons.

China also agreed to import much more Brazilian beef, chicken, and pork. Meat sales are expected to soar to $600 million next year, a twenty-fold increase.
Source: Doane's Agricultural Report, Vol. 67, No. 46-1; Nov. 12, 2004

Biotech crops pay extra dollars to farmer
Biotech meant $1.9 billion in extra income to producers of six crops in 2003: corn, soybeans, cotton, canola, papaya, and squash.

It boosted yields, reduced pesticide use, and spurred use of environmentally friendly no-till agriculture, according to a study by the National Center for Food and Agricultural Policy. See www.ncfap.org.
Source: Doane's Agricultural Report, Vol. 67, No. 43-1; Oct. 22, 2004

EU to challenge U.S. beef sanctions
The European Union is planning to challenge the United States in the World Trade Organization. The dispute centers on sanctions imposed by the United States against the EU for its ban on beef grown with hormones.

The EU claims that its ban is backed by science and the U.S. sanctions are not compliant with WTO rules. After receiving WTO backing for sanctions, the United States in 1999 imposed $116 million in tariffs while Canada asked for another $11 million.
Source: AFBF; Executive Newswatch; Nov. 5, 2004

Colorful carrots pack extra nutrient punch
Carrots could soon come in a variety of colors, including yellow, dark orange, bright red and purple, according to the Agricultural Research Service (ARS).

The new carrots are not just a treat for the eyes, they also include extra nutrients like xanthophylls, which are linked to good eye health, and lycopene, believed to help prevent heart disease and cancer.

The carrots haven't yet caught on with farmers. ARS hopes that as more consumers learn about the attractive and nutritional veggies, more farmers will become interested in growing them.
Source: AFBF; Executive Newswatch; Nov. 15, 2004

Return to TFB Main Page
Return to Current Edition
Texas Agriculture Archive

December 3, 2004