Missed some ag news this week? Here are seven stories to catch up you.
1. President Donald Trump and Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe signed the “first stage” of an initial trade pact after meeting Wednesday at the United Nations General Assembly. The U.S. Trade Representative’s office described the agreement as “early achievements.” – Farm Futures
2. China is making several trade moves ahead of face-to-face talks expected to take place in Washington next month. China is considering allowing imports of Brazilian soybean meal. Opening the door too Brazilian meal would follow a similar arrangement with Argentina. China also granted new waivers to several domestic companies to buy U.S. soybeans free of tariffs imposed by China in retaliation for the Trump administration’s higher tariffs. Chinese companies are also preparing to purchase more U.S. pork. – Farm Futures
3. President Trump is planning an ethanol deal to please corn farmers angry that many oil refiners have been granted exemptions from obligations to use the corn-based fuel. – CNBC
4. South Korea confirmed an outbreak of African swine fever. China’s Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Affairs reported a new case of African swine fever in the southwestern region of Guangxi. – The Guardian, Yahoo
5. Is corn a fruit, vegetable or grain? We differentiate between fruits and vegetables depending on which bits of the plant we eat. – Popular Science
6. U.S. wheat growers could be among the worst affected by climate change. If climate change isn’t tackled by the year 2100, 60% of areas that grow wheat will be hit by water scarcity, up from the current level of 15%. – Newsweek
7. Farmers in Kansas are harvesting hemp for the first time in nearly 80 years. Researchers at Kansas State University’s Olathe campus are analyzing samples of hemp. – KWCH, Kansas Farmer
And your bonus.
Some barns share history as museums while others are creating new stories as learning facilities or marriage venues. Enjoy this photo gallery of Michigan barns. – Michigan Farmer