One of the main obstacles standing in the way of finalizing the new U.S.-Mexico-Canada trade agreement, or USMCA, has been removed.
The Trump administration on Friday announced it will end U.S. tariffs on steel and aluminum imported from Canada and Mexico.
The U.S. Wheat Associate’s Chairman Chris Kolstad from Ledger, Montana said the announcement is an important step toward approval of USMCA, which is significant to U.S. wheat growers.
“We thank the Administration for recognizing that these tariffs are hindering trade agendas that open overseas markets,” said Kolstad. “We also encourage repealing all the remaining steel and aluminum tariffs and oppose new tariffs on autos under Section 232. New tariffs would encourage our trading partners to retaliate against U.S. farmers and agricultural exports and further weaken international trade rules.”
As for the legislative timeframe, Congress is unable to act on the USMCA until the White House sends the text of the agreement to Capitol Hill. The text must be sent to Congress at least 30 days before a bill is formally introduced.
When the actual bill is introduced in the Senate Finance and House Ways and Means committees, it can take up to 45 days to bring the bill to the floor of their respective chambers. And even then, it could still take several weeks before an actual vote takes place.
The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service has extended the public comment deadline on a proposal to delist the gray wolf in the lower 48 states and return management of the species to the states and tribes. Farmers, ranchers and others now have until July 15th to share their thoughts.
The agency recently concluded that recovery of the gray wolf under the Endangered Species Act has been a successful effort that took the national wolf population from about 1,000 in the mid-1970s to more than 5,000 now. Over 635,000 comments have been filed already most of which oppose the agency’s proposed delisting.
U.S. honey production in 2018 from producers with five or more colonies totaled 152 million pounds, up 2 percent from 2017. There were 2.80 million colonies producing honey in 2018, up 4 percent from 2017. Yield per colony averaged 54.4 pounds, down 2 percent from the 55.5 pounds in 2017.
United States honey prices decreased 2 percent during 2018 to $2.16 per pound, compared to 2.19 per pound in 2017. U.S. and State level prices reflect the portions of honey sold through cooperatives, private, and retail channels.
The opportunity for kids started in the cattle industry is knocking, and loudly. Applications for the NILE Merit Heifer program are now available for the 2019-2020 year.
The NILE Merit Heifer program is a live animal scholarship, meaning the recipients are given a young, live, heifer calf. Program participants are chosen based on merit, future goals, and ability to care for the animal. 4-H or FFA members who are 12-16 years old may apply.
Applicants are not limited to Montana residents. Applications are due June 28th and for more information, visit www.thenile.org.
-Reported by Russell Nemetz/MTN News
