Australia Introduces Stringent Biosecurity Measures for Incoming Travellers
Australia has tightened its biosecurity regulations, introducing measures that could lead to visa cancellations for visitors who fail to declare prohibited plant and meat products at the border. This amendment to the Biosecurity Act empowers officials to better safeguard Australia’s ecosystem and its significant agricultural export industry, valued at $70 billion. Immigration Minister Andrew Giles, […]
EU-Australia Trade Deal Stalls Over Agricultural Interests
The anticipated free trade agreement (FTA) between the European Union and Australia has reached an impasse, with the political clout of red meat producers proving to be a significant stumbling block. Preparations for the FTA were well underway, with Australia ready to adopt geographical indications (GI) and overhaul its tax on luxury imported cars, which […]
New Zealand Meat Industry Engages US Officials Over Lamb Tariff Concerns
Representatives of New Zealand’s meat industry have been actively engaging with US lobbyists and government officials to maintain the steady export of lamb into the American market. This follows calls from R-CALF USA, a prominent US cattle and sheep producers’ association, for increased tariffs on imported lamb and mutton, citing the impact of imports from […]
New Zealand Progresses in Reducing Agricultural Tariffs Through Trade Agreements
New Zealand’s agricultural sector has paid significant tariffs in 2022, amounting to $197 million, predominantly on beef exports to South Korea and Japan. Despite existing Free Trade Agreements (FTAs) with these nations, the tariffs continue to impact trade. The Comprehensive and Progressive Agreement for Trans-Pacific Partnership (CPTPP) is set to reduce Japanese tariffs on New […]
US Commerce Department Reduces Duties on Moroccan Phosphate
The US Department of Commerce has made a significant reduction in the import duties on Moroccan phosphate fertilisers, a move that could potentially offer some respite to American farmers facing high fertiliser prices. Josh Linville of Stone X conveyed to Brownfield his astonishment at the announcement made last Friday, which saw duties drop sharply from […]
Midwest Farmers Embrace Precision Drone Technology for Crop Spraying
Farmers across the Midwest are rapidly adopting precision drone sprayers as a means to enhance efficiency and reduce both the cost of inputs and the reliance on commercial applicators. Danny Assman, a farmer situated in western Iowa near the Nebraska border, founded Iowa Aerial Applicators less than two years ago, initially to defray his own […]
Rising Interest Rates Impact Agricultural Investment Trends
The agricultural sector is witnessing a tempering in investment activities, influenced by a year-long increment in interest rates, despite the Federal Reserve’s decision to hold the current rates steady for the second successive month. Brian Briggeman of Kansas State University has noted a downturn in loan applications from farmers, a trend that is supported by […]
USDA Revises Meat Production Projections for 2023
The United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) has updated its projections for meat production in 2023, indicating an uptick in red meat production while forecasting a decrease in poultry. Beef production is now estimated to reach 26.976 billion pounds, an increase of 35 million pounds from the September forecast. This revision is based on anticipated […]
Watauga County’s Meat Processing Plant Project Moves Forward with Boone Council Approval
The initiative to establish a new meat processing facility in Watauga County, North Carolina, has made significant progress following the Boone Town Council’s approval of essential waste and water services for the site. This development is a key step in bringing the 2020 proposed project to fruition. The proposed facility, which will be subject to […]
Poarch Band of Creek Indians to Enhance Local Agriculture with New $15 Million Meat Processing Plant in Alabama
In Atmore, Alabama, the Poarch Band of Creek Indians has announced a significant investment in the local agriculture sector by constructing a new meat processing plant. The facility, representing a $15 million investment, is scheduled to open in spring 2024 and is expected to process approximately 125 cattle per week, thereby enhancing the region’s meat […]
