Agribusiness Update for Wednesday 3/27/13

Agribusiness Update for Wednesday 3/27/13

This is the Agribusiness Update...I’m Greg Martin...

The latest DTN/The Progressive Farmer Agriculture Confidence Index shows farmers are less optimistic about the ag economy now than they were after last year’s harvest. The index shows a slight down-tic from last year but still reflects an overall positive outlook. The index accounts for how farmers feel about their present and future situations.

Congress was notified last week that the White House planned to begin trade talks with the European Union but EU leaders don’t want to include their restrictions on genetically modified crops and other regulations that keep U.S. farm products out of Europe in the discussions. The President says it’s difficult to imagine an agreement that doesn’t address those issues.

Washington State has declared a forest health hazard warning in portions of Okanogan, Ferry, Klickitat and Yakima counties because of two tree-damaging insects. Workshops for small acreage forest owners will address western spruce budworm and pine bark beetle. WSU and the DNR are sponsoring the workshops in Everett and Vancouver.

That’s today’s Agribusiness Update from the Ag Information Network. 

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