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Low commodity prices expected to continue, African swine fever detected in Vietnam and Shark Tank coming to Nebraska.

Janet Kubat Willette, E-Content Editor

February 22, 2019

2 Min Read
NolanBerg11/flySnow/SteveOehlenschlager/ThinkstockPhotos

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

1. U.S. and Chinese negotiators are working on multiple memorandums of understanding that would form the basis of a final trade deal. The MoUs would cover areas including agriculture, non-tariff barriers, services, technology transfer and intellectual property. – Farm Futures

2. Another year of low commodity prices looms, and that will continue to weigh on farm income, according to USDA chief economist Robert Johansson, speaking at the 2019 Agricultural Outlook Forum in Washington, D.C. – Farm Futures

3. China plans to increase its soybean planting through “multiple” methods, according to a government statement. The country released a policy statement for agriculture that seeks to bolster growth and offset trade challenges.  – Reuters

4. African swine fever has been detected on three farms in Vietnam, the first confirmed cases in the country. All pigs on the farms located in Hung Yen and Thai Binh provinces, which are southeast of Hanoi, were culled. The disease has affected 25 provinces and regions across China since August. – Reuters

5. As of Feb. 1, Wisconsin had 8,046 dairy herds, down 40% from 10 years earlier, according to state Department of Agriculture data. In 2018 alone, Wisconsin lost almost 700 farms or about two dairy farms a day. – Journal-Sentinel

6. ABC's "Shark Tank" TV show is coming to Lincoln, Neb., on April 5-6, courtesy of the Engler Agribusiness Entrepreneurship program at the University of Nebraska–Lincoln. It is the first casting call in Nebraska for the TV program in which aspiring entrepreneurs pitch business proposals to self-made business tycoons. – Nebraska Farmer

7. Switching to no-till went smooth for Jason Kontz of Colman, S.D., who raises corn and soybeans and finishes cattle. He made the switch because he was motivated in part because gullies were forming on his land. – Dakota Farmer

And your bonus.

Mother and daughter duo Lauren and Laila Shutt hold the state titles in their division for “Miss United States Agriculture.” The national competition is June 21-22. There are state pageants in Iowa, Pennsylvania, Florida, Kansas, Missouri, Nebraska and Ohio. – Pahomepage.com, Miss United States Agriculture

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