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Oct062022
USDA, Trade missions/shows

To promote a greater dialogue with the People's Republic of China on issues related to climate, the FAS offices in China launched “Agriculture for a Better Future,” a series of social media posts on U.S. Mission to China social media platforms. The 13-part series, which featured remarks by Secretary Vilsack and U.S. Ambassador to China Nicholas Burns, highlighted the work being carried out by U.S. farmers, ranchers, USDA, and cooperator partners to address climate change and sustainable agricultural production practices. The series received over 4.7 million views and generated 33,000 impressions across the Mission’s 3 social media platforms.

To view the complete report visit: China: Agriculture for a Better Future - FAS China's FY 22 Climate Outreach Initiative

Source: USDA Foreign Agricultural Service (Attaché Report, GAIN, Oct. 6, 2022)

Sep232022
USDA

The Coalition to Promote U.S. Agricultural Exports applauds U.S. Senators Angus King, Joni Ernst, Tina Smith, and Chuck Grassley for introducing the Cultivating Revitalization by Expanding American Agricultural Trade and Exports (CREAATE) Act of 2022, which would double funding for USDA’s Market Access Program (MAP) and Foreign Market Development (FMD) Program. Both programs are critical to expanding global market access for U.S.-produced agricultural exports. A recent econometric study conducted by agricultural economists at IHS Market and Texas A&M University predicted that doubling funding for these programs would generate an additional $44.4 billion in U.S. agricultural exports over the 2024–29 time period. The legislation must now be considered within the Agriculture Committee, and the Coalition urges the Committee to swiftly consider and pass this important bill.   

Source: Ag Exports Count (Robbie Minnich, National Cotton Council, and Jessica Schulken, The Russell Group)

Sep152022
Dairy

The U.S. dairy community has rallied around a public commitment to achieve carbon neutrality, optimize water usage, and improve water quality by 2050 — supporting global sustainability initiatives and customer expectations. Genetic selection is one part of the equation that will enable U.S. dairy farms and processors to collectively achieve this lofty goal. How precisely do genetics impact sustainability both now and into the future? 

Genetic selection is an important tool to reduce dairy’s carbon footprint. This impact ranges from the improved productivity of U.S. dairy cows over several decades to the relatively new ability to genetically select for cows that use feed more efficiently while producing the same amount of milk. What other aspects of sustainability — such as animal well-being and methane emissions — can be addressed through genetics?

Those questions will be explored during the upcoming CDCB Industry Meeting on October 5 during World Dairy Expo in Madison, Wisconsin. Through panels and future-focused updates, dairy producers, customers, and geneticists will share perspective on sustainability expectations and the genetic contribution. Headlining the program will be 4 dairy producers from 4 States — Marilyn Hershey from Pennsylvania, Lloyd Holterman from Wisconsin, Mike McCloskey from Indiana, and Bill Peck from New York. The agenda provides ample opportunity for an open dialogue between attendees and these respected panelists. 

Source: Hoard's Dairyman (João Dürr and H. Duane Norman, Council on Dairy Cattle  Breeding)

Sep062022
USDA, Trade missions/shows

USDA is accepting applications from U.S. exporters for for its first-ever agricultural trade mission to Madrid, Spain, on November 29 through December 2. To help U.S. exporters reach both markets, buyers from Spain and Portugal will be available onsite in Madrid to meet with the delegation. During the mission, participants will conduct business-to-business meetings with potential importers, receive in-depth market briefings, and participate in site visits and other networking opportunities.

The deadline to apply for the Spain-Portugal trade mission is September 15, 2022. Complete information and application instructions are available at https://www.fas.usda.gov/topics/trade-missions/spain-and-portugal-november-2022.  

Source: USDA Foreign Agricultural Service

Aug252022
Dairy, Beef, USDA, Trade missions/shows

The US Consulate General in Porto Alegre, in partnership with the U.S. Departments of Agriculture and Commerce, opens its booth at the International Pavilion of the 45th Expointer on Saturday, August 27, 2022. On September 2, the Chargé d'Affaires of the U.S. Embassy and Consulates in Brazil Douglas Koneff will officially open the stand. “Our expectation for this year is to resume contact with visitors to the fair. We will be at Expointer with a special program that ranges from information on how to study in the US to lectures on trends in the meat market and the genetics of North American livestock,” emphasizes Chargé d'Affaires Douglas Koneff. 

The program will feature lectures on trade growth between Brazil and the U.S., the future of the meat market (given by USDA specialists), cooperation between the U.S. and the state of Rio Grande do Sul for drought mitigation, and the international promotion of North American livestock genetics. All events are free and open to the public and the press. [Article is in Portuguese.]

Source: Jornal do Comércio, August 25, 2022

Aug032022
USDA, Trade missions/shows

Foreign Agricultural Service (FAS) Administrator Daniel Whitley led a USDA trade mission to the Philippines, July 18–21. He was joined by representatives from 29 U.S. agribusinesses and farm organizations and 10 State departments of agriculture, working together to strengthen trade relationships and further expand export opportunities. “The primary goals were to produce mutually beneficial results to help expand trade, increase collaboration on key issues impacting agriculture in both our countries, and ultimately strengthen Philippine food security,” Whitley said.  International trade missions are integral to FAS’s international marketing efforts, offering U.S. exporters a unique opportunity to build in-person relationships with potential buyers, learn first-hand about the market from industry and FAS trade experts, and ultimately generate sales for their businesses. Participants in the Philippines trade mission reported nearly $1 million in on-site sales and $7.25 million in projected 12-month sales as a result of their travel. USLGE  was represented by President and CEO Dr. Martin Sieber (front row, center of trade delegation photo at end of FAS news article).

Source: USDA Foreign Agricultural Service

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