Retaliatory Tariff Removal Discussions Press Forward

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Since June 2018, the European Union (EU) has applied 25% retaliatory tariffs on the import of select U.S. agricultural products, including dry beans. The tariffs were applied in response to a Section 232 case that resulted in the application of tariffs on imports of European steel and aluminum. 
 
Almost since the day the tariffs went into effect, the U.S. Dry Bean Council (USDBC) has been advocating for their removal. Earlier this month, the United Kingdom government announced its determination at the conclusion of the commentary period to remove dry beans from the retaliation list. This is expected to take three to four months.
 
At the same time, during several conferences held between U.S. and EU trade authorities on the sidelines of the recent G-7 meeting in the UK, EU trade authorities also announced their optimism that the tariff dispute will be resolved by years’ end.
 
While there are still details to confirm and some more work to be done, indications are the by the end of 2021 the 25% retaliatory tariffs on imports of U.S. dry beans to the UK and the EU will be removed. The USDBC will continue to monitor and report on this situation as soon as final determinations are issued.

Weekly Dry Bean Market Review

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The dry beans under contract are moving at a steady pace. According to report contacts, rail cars and containers are getting harder to source. USDA Market News puts the grower price for black beans this past week was $27 to $32 per hundredweight (cwt). Pinto beans range from $30 to $32 per cwt. Navies are at $32 per cwt. Kidney bean prices also remain steady at $34 to $43 per cwt for lights and darks. View the USDA Weekly Market Review for March 2.

Weekly Dry Bean Market Review

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The dry beans under contract are moving at a steady pace. USDA Market News says the grower price for black beans this past week was $25 to $29 per hundredweight (cwt). Pinto beans range from $28 to $30 per cwt. Navies are at $28 per cwt. Kidney bean prices also remain steady at $34 to $43 per cwt for lights and darks. View the USDA Weekly Market Review for January 19.

Weekly Dry Bean Market Review

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The dry beans under contract are moving at a steady pace. USDA Market News says the grower price for black beans this past week was $25 to $29 per hundredweight (cwt). Pinto beans range from $27 to $30 per cwt. Navies are at $28 per cwt. Kidney bean prices also remain steady at $34 to $43 per cwt for lights and darks. View the USDA Weekly Market Review for January 12.

Ag Innovation Campus Breaks Ground at Crookston, MN

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The Ag Innovation Campus project began in 2018 when the Minnesota Soybean Research and Promotion Council invested in a feasibility study. Last year, the Minnesota Legislature approved $5 million in state funds for this project and those funds were made available last month. This site will host a specialty crush facility for universities, commodity groups and private seed companies to develop value-added products.
 
Minnesota Governor Tim Walz was part of the celebration. “This is bold; there’s no place in the world that has something like this,” said Walz. The goal is to have this campus operational by the end of next year. “That ambitious timeline is exactly what we need. It’s been a little lean on the good news and when we have a good news story, we need to tell it.”
 
Adjacent to the Ag Innovation Campus in Crookston, Epitome Energy plans to build a 30-million gallon biodiesel plant and a 42-million bushel crushing facility. CEO Dennis Egan was at the sidelines of the campus groundbreaking Wednesday. “In the next couple weeks, we’re going to have exciting news about Epitome Energy. Some of the key features are falling into place.” To finance this new facility, Egan is working with a couple unnamed national players. Local farmers will also have the opportunity to have an equity role with Epitome Energy.
Grady Thorsgard - Harvest (black and pinto)

Dry Bean Harvest Progress – October 19

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Wyoming – Harvest is at 95%, ahead of 83% last year and 90% average.
 
Colorado – Harvest is at 78%, ahead of 71% last year, but behind 85% average.
 
Nebraska – Harvest was 96% complete, ahead of 89% last year.
 
Michigan – Harvest was 91% complete, ahead of 64% last year and 80% average.
 
View the latest USDA Weekly Crop Progress Report here.

2021 ARC/PLC Enrollment Now Open

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Agricultural producers can now make elections and enroll in the Agriculture Risk Coverage (ARC) and Price Loss Coverage (PLC) programs for the 2021 crop year. The signup period opened Tuesday, October 13. These key USDA safety-net programs help producers weather fluctuations in either revenue or price for certain crops, and more than $5 billion in payments are in the process of going out to producers who signed up for the 2019 crop year. Learn more.

Dry Bean Scene

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Dry bean harvest is in full swing in both North Dakota and Minnesota. Did the freezing temperatures and frost have an impact on the crop? Find out more in the Dry Bean Scene on the Red River Farm Network made possible, in part, by the Northarvest Bean Growers Association.

USDA Extends CFAP Deadline, Adds Commodities

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The application deadline for the Coronavirus Food Assistance Program has been extended to September 11. The list of eligible commodities was also expanded. Additionally, USDA is releasing the remaining 20 percent of CFAP payments to farmers and ranchers with approved applications. Moving forward, producers applying for CFAP will receive their full payment as applications are approved. Get more details.

Grafton Adds ‘Emeritus’ to his Title

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After 40 years at North Dakota State University, Dr. Ken Grafton has retired. Grafton held several administrative roles over the last two decades including time as the Dean of the College of Agriculture, Food Systems and Natural Resources and Vice President for Agricultural Affairs. Grafton joined NDSU’s dry bean breeding program in 1981 and was involved in the development and release of over 30 dry bean germplasm lines.