Agriculture Shorts

The Economist reported China has imposed an additional 55% tariff on Brazilian beef imports because the country hit a 1.1-million-ton quota introduced this year. The duty comes on top of an existing 12% levy . . . The USDA Economic Research Service reported the value of U.S. agricultural exports in 2024, $177.2 billion, supported an additional $192 billion in economic activity . . . Researchers at the University of Nebraska (UNL) and other universities said the UNL Hybrid-Maize crop model forecast below-average corn yields at 8 of 13 irrigated sites in the Corn Belt, and near-average yields at dryland sites. Late-season warmth trimmed yield potential . . . Record beef imports along with the suspension of the tariff-rate quota for beef trimmings have not lowered ground beef prices for consumers according to an analysis by American Farm Bureau. Prices remained the same as before the tariff-rate quota was raised in 30 of 41 tracked grocery stores . . . According to Kevin Van Trump, renewable diesel supplied 4.8-5.0% of the overall U.S. diesel pool in 2025 . . . Dr. Brad Lubben, agricultural economist at the University of Nebraska, told a Heuermann Lecture audience that production agriculture’s contribution to the Nebraska state economy is the highest of any state with a gross state product larger than $100 billion.