Lumpy skin disease is really impacting the cattle industry in France. However, the country says that outbreak is now under control, even as angry farmers continue to protest across the country.
The disease is spread by insects, and can devastate herds and trade.
Farmers have blocked highways with tractors and dumped manure, opposing rules that require entire herds to be culled after an outbreak. France’s Ag Minister defended the policy to prevent massive losses, but says that there are currently no active cases. The country is expanding vaccination efforts.
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Argentina hopes to boost demand, but critics see the move as a blow to American farmers.
China is making strategic moves by purchasing more soybeans from Argentina and may soon follow the EU and reopen its market to Brazilian chicken exports.
Farmers should watch for soybean export rebounds with harvest, while corn and wheat shipments remain strong and sorghum demand struggles.
Rollins says the new trade relationship with Taiwan, which is committed to buying a significant amount of U.S. soy, could not come at a better time for farmers facing financial strain.
Higher tariffs may shield some U.S. crops but risk retaliation, lost markets, and higher costs for growers. The WTO disputes highlight the fragile balance between trade policy, farm exports, and input supply chains.