Amid this trade-war fog, one thing seems clear: The Chinese are happy to talk about importing more American agricultural products -- maybe a lot more. That is not the case in another of America's unfolding trade wars. In the talks between the U.S. and the European Union, the EU is refusing to even discuss agriculture. Why? Because the EU knows what the U.S. would demand: relaxation of the EU's non-tariff barriers to American products, starting with genetically engineered crops. Previous EU-U.S. [node:read-more:link]

The federal government says improving internet and cellphone service in rural areas is a priority. The Minister of Rural Economic Development, Bernadette Jordan spoke Tuesday at the Saskatchewan Association of Rural Municipalities convention in Saskatoon. “It’s a huge issue, it’s an expense if one. there’s no question. But we recognize that internet now is like highways as well because you have to have it in order to grow.”Jordan says the government is in the process of developing a preliminary plan, which should be ready by June. [node:read-more:link]

I believe we are facing a critical juncture in our state. Are we going to bury our heads in the sand and ignore the shrinking populations of rural Iowa or are we going to finally put forth serious efforts toward tackling the issue head on? I have been working on a piece of legislation that identifies communities in rural Iowa that don’t need a handout but instead need to be treated fairly. [node:read-more:link]

The Trump administration on Tuesday advanced a plan meant to expand the U.S. market for corn-based ethanol and place trading restrictions on credits that refiners use to prove they are using biofuel. The Environmental Protection Agency proposal is a first step in fulfilling President Donald Trump’s promise to unleash sales of gasoline containing 15 percent ethanol and deliver at least a symbolic victory to corn farmers in the Midwest who have been battered by his trade fight with China. Air pollution requirements currently block sales of that E15 gasoline from June 1 to Sept. [node:read-more:link]

U.S. Secretary of Agriculture Sonny Perdue today announced the initial down-select list of 136 Expressions of Interest received from parties in 35 statesvying to become the new homes of the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) Economic Research Service (ERS) and National Institute of Food and Agriculture (NIFA).  USDA is following a rigorous site selection process to identify the new locations with involvement from USDA, ERS, and NIFA leadership.  [node:read-more:link]

The White House announced that it is considering 67 locations as semifinalists in its search for a new home for two U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) research agencies, the National Institute of Food and Agriculture (NIFA) and the Economic Research Service (ERS). One proposed location that evidently meets USDA’s rigorous criteria to house these world-class agencies was recommended by a “private citizen” in Hanover Township, Pennsylvania. Academic, economic and governmental institutions made only a handful of bids. [node:read-more:link]

The New Mexico State House on Tuesday passed Senate Bill 489 44-22, requiring the state to generate 100% of its electricity from carbon-free resources by 2045. The Energy Transition Act, introduced in February and approved by the State Senate last week, also increases the state's renewable portfolio standard (RPS) to 50% by 2030 and 80% by 2040, echoing Democratic Gov. Michelle Lujan Grisham's campaign promises. It also includes securitization provisions to help recover the costs of coal plant retirements and allocates funds toward transitioning mining communities. [node:read-more:link]

An environmental group has published 18 leaked memos by government scientists that outline gaps in knowledge about the Arctic National Wildlife Refuge. The group claims the information should have been included in the Bureau of Land Management’s report on possible impacts from oil and gas leasing in the refuge. [node:read-more:link]

As gas tax revenue declines, proposals would raise or create new fees for hybrids and electric vehicles.Frustrated with falling gas tax revenue, lawmakers in Iowa and Minnesota are looking to drivers of plug-in hybrid and electric vehicles to help fill budget gaps.In Minnesota, a bill by Republican state Sen. [node:read-more:link]

Sixth District- Atlanta– “Agricultural conditions across the District were mixed. Recent reports showed that most of the District was drought-free, with the exception of small areas in south Florida and coastal Louisiana where conditions were abnormally dry.  The February forecast for Florida’s orange crops was unchanged from the previous month but remained significantly ahead of last year’s production. [node:read-more:link]