International Ag Headlines, Wednesday March 30, 2016

China Confirms Plans to End Corn Stockpiling

China's State Administration of Grain in a statement this week confirmed the country plans to end its corn stockpiling program. Pro Farmers First Thing Today reports China will move towards a program that will subsidize corn growers and encourage commercial firms to buy grain from farmers at market prices. This effort is aimed at improving efficiency on farms and bringing domestic prices more in line with international prices, slowing imports. Chinese corn prices are typically 30 percent to 50 percent above the international market. The new policy will take effect at the start of the 2016-2017 marketing year in October. China has already ended stockpiling programs for cotton and soybeans and the government says it will look into reforming its two remaining such programs for wheat and rice.

French Delegation Meets with NCGA Leaders

A group of French delegates visited with the National Corn Growers Association this week to further understand U.S. corn farming. The delegation was visiting the United States to learn more about low carbon technology. The meetings were designed to inform the delegates on U.S. corn farming practices and ethanol. The delegation, organized by the U.S. Department of State's International Visitor Leadership Program, examined how U.S. agriculture reduces output of greenhouse gas emissions and examined U.S. perspectives on promoting a low-carbon economy. Through discussion, NCGA says the group looked at how growers are becoming more aware of how their continuous improvement translates into shrinking the carbon footprint of corn. Additionally, they discussed soil health and how modern agriculture practices can allow corn production to become a significant carbon sink.

NAFB News