Federal

This report highlights the most recent indicators of social and economic conditions in rural areas, focusing on the U.S. rural economy, including employment, population, poverty, and income trends. Unemployment continued to decline in rural areas in 2015, falling close to levels last seen before the Great Recession, as employment continued to grow. After declining for several years, rural population stabilized. Median annual earnings rose in rural areas and poverty fell markedly in 2015, as in urban areas; the rise in earnings occurred across most major industry sectors. [node:read-more:link]

hite House officials conceded Friday that the president’s hard-fought-for Trans-Pacific Partnership (TPP) trade deal would not pass Congress in light of the election of Donald Trump, who campaigned on anti-global trade policies.  Desmond O’Rourke, publisher of the World Apple Report, noted that several weeks ago Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell told reporters he would not allow debate on the TPP to be raised in the lame duck session. The White House announcement confirms that. [node:read-more:link]

According to the latest survey of agricultural bankers in the Eighth Federal Reserve District, a solid majority reported that farm income declined in the third quarter of 2016 relative to a year ago. Consistent with previous surveys, proportionately more bankers continue to report that falling farm income is pressuring farmers to trim their household expenditures and farming- and ranching-related capital outlays. [node:read-more:link]

If a fruit or vegetable isn’t grown in dirt, can it be organic? That is the question roiling the world of organic farming, and the answer could redefine what it means to farm organically.  At issue is whether produce that relies solely on irrigation to deliver nutrients to plants — through what is known as hydroponic and aquaponic systems — can be certified organic. And the National Organic Standards Board, an advisory group that makes recommendations to the federal secretary of agriculture, will get an earful on the topic at its meeting in St. Louis this week. [node:read-more:link]

When a recent gathering of Southern Illinois farmers revealed that 7 out of 10 of them had serious concerns about the viability of their farming operation over the next three years, one might think they were being overly dramatic.  But late last week, three of the Federal Reserve Banks that serve the Corn Belt confirmed the seriousness of the financial struggle farmers are having. [node:read-more:link]

The number of midsize growers in the U.S. has dropped slightly but the category hasn’t experienced as much change as other farm sizes, according to USDA.  Farms in the midsize category, with roughly $350,000 to $1 million in annual revenue, declined in number by 5 percent between 1992 and 2012, according to a recent USDA study.  To compare, large farms with more than $1 million in revenue more than doubled in number, while small commercial farms — those with revenues between $10,000 and $350,000 — declined in number by 22 percent. [node:read-more:link]

The US Dept. of Agriculture announced several meetings to gather feedback from industry on the Livestock Mandatory Reporting (LMR) program in addition to current livestock and meat marketing practices. The first meeting is scheduled for Nov. 15-16 in Washington.  The first informational meeting will include several activities. The Agriculture Marketing Service (AMS) will provide an overview of current LMR reporting and audit processes. Industry stakeholders also will be able to participate in “interest-based problem-solving and training” and identify dates for future meetings. [node:read-more:link]

Philip Seng, USMEF president and chief executive officer said the U.S. eclipsed $13 billion in meat exports. [node:read-more:link]

Montana Attorney General Tim Fox, along with 25 other state attorneys general sent a letter criticizing the Environmental Protection Agency this week, alleging the agency is ignoring the U.S. Supreme Court’s stay of the Clean Power Plan. Earlier this year Fox joined with other states in challenging the EPA’s carbon regulations, which would require Montana to reduce carbon emissions by more than 40 percent. That lawsuit resulted in the U.S. Supreme Court issuing an injunction on implementation of the Clean Power Plan until legal challenges have concluded. [node:read-more:link]

The head of the world's leading trade body says that hostility toward trade agreements witnessed in the United States and other countries is misplaced and that protectionist measures can hurt the poorest most. World Trade Organization chief Roberto Azevedo says protectionism "is the wrong response" to voter concerns about job losses and economic uncertainty. He says the introduction of new technology is a much bigger threat to jobs. Azevedo declined to comment specifically on the U.S. presidential candidates. However, he said Monday that "the major question is ... [node:read-more:link]