Agriculture and FDA Approve Net-Zero Technology Amidst Trade War with China

A trade war with China could have significant impacts on California agriculture, according to U.C. Davis and North Dakota State University economists. The Biden administration recently increased tariffs on Chinese electric vehicles, solar cells, and other products. If the U.S. revokes China’s Permanent Normal Trade Relations status, analysts say that could lead to a 9.5% increase in China’s ag import tariffs, resulting in $1 billion in trade losses for California farmers and ranchers.

The National Milk Producers Federation says the FDA’s approval of Elanco’s Bovaer (boe-vair) is another important step toward a net-zero future. Bovaer and other new technologies that reduce enteric emissions will help U.S. farmers get rewarded for participating in voluntary, producer-led sustainability initiatives. NMPF President Gregg Doud says innovations like Bovaer will help American dairy farmers remain globally competitive and maintain their role as leaders in more sustainable dairy production.

The U.S. Meat Export Federation closed its spring conference with a session focused on the red meat industry’s efforts to build international demand for domestically underutilized beef and pork cuts. Jessica Spreitzer, USMEF Director of Trade Analysis, talked about strategies to develop demand for pork loin and beef rounds cuts, pointing to estimates that loin exports now account for about 20% of U.S. production, twice that of five years ago.