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Dairy feud, USDA researchers pressured to change results and trade in the news this week.

Janet Kubat Willette, E-Content Editor

April 21, 2017

2 Min Read

Need a quick catch up on the news? Here are seven agricultural stories you might have missed this week.

1. An Inspector General's report shows 2% of USDA researchers were pressured to change their research results by outside entities and 3% were pressured to alter their research findings "for reasons other than technical merit." – USA Today

2. With GIPSA rules delayed again, split emerges between farmers who support the legislation and lobby groups who oppose it. Both sides wait to see what Sonny Perdue will do. – Farm Futures

3. The Brazilian government is taking action to help farmers burdened with record corn stocks and slow exports. The government will offer up to $159 in subsidies to help producers sell their crop in the 2016-17 cycle. – Reuters

4. Mexico is turning to other countries for imports as President Trump has repeatedly called NAFTA a bad deal and has said he wants to renegotiate it. Mexico is seeking supplies of agricultural products from Brazil and Argentina. – Farm Futures 

5. After the election of Donald Trump, panic swept through immigrant communities. In some small towns, the panic has spurred some immigrants to go from green card holders to citizens. – NPR

6 The Commerce Department has formally initiated an antidumping and countervailing duty investigation of biodiesel imports from Argentina and Indonesia. – Farm Futures

7. NatureFresh Farms plans to expand Ohio's fresh tomato season with 45 acres of hydroponic greenhouse production. The location a mile south of Interstate 80 near Delta is within five hours of 20 million people. – Ohio Farmer

Your bonus this week is a wrap up of our coverage of the U.S.-Canada dairy pricing dispute.

Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau on Thursday said his country is sticking with its pricing policy. Canada imports much more in dairy products from the U.S. than the U.S. imports from Canada, he said. – Farm Futures

The Canadian Ambassador to the United States, David MacNaughton, said his country is not to blame for low milk prices in a letter to the governors of New York and Wisconsin. The National Milk Producers Federation CEO was critical of MacNaughton's assertion. – Farm Futures

President Trump on Tuesday promised his administration would restore exports of American dairy products to Canada during a stop in Wisconsin – Farm Futures

Dairy organizations charged in January that Canada was blocking imports of U.S. dairy products, saying it was a violation of trade agreements. – Farm Futures

The U.S. dairy industry appealed to President Trump for help in resolving the dispute, saying it was forcing butter producers to stop taking milk from farmers. – Farm Futures

Grassland Dairy Products, of Greenwood, Wisconsin, expects to lose sales to Canada because of its National Ingredient Strategy. – Farm Futures

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