Agribusiness Update for Thursday 10/17/13

The White House says the government shutdown is choking the flow of U.S. exports. Exports have been affected as import and export licenses and applications are on hold, many products aren't flowing into and out of the country and important data that informs international trade is not available. The White House specifically mentioned that the shutdown is impacting American farmers and growers.

Humorist and erstwhile politician Kinky Friedman says he's going to run for Texas agriculture commissioner as a Democrat. Friedman said legalizing marijuana and revitalizing the hemp industry would be his top priorities if elected. Friedman last ran for agriculture commissioner in 2010, but lost the Democratic primary. He ran for governor as an independent in 2006 and came in third with 12 percent of the vote.

The South Dakota Stockgrowers Association, South Dakota Cattlemen's Association and the South Dakota Sheep Growers Association have established the South Dakota Rancher Relief Fund to provide relief for producers affected by the blizzard that hit the state earlier this month. The blizzard - which also affected portions of Wyoming and Nebraska - is being called one of the most devastating blizzards in history.

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