Agribusiness Update for Monday 2/4/13

This is the Agribusiness Update...I’m Greg Martin...

USDA is expanding a pilot program that enables current USDA home loan borrowers to save money on housing costs by refinancing their mortgages with lower interest rates. According to U.S. Ag Secretary Tom Vilsack - this expansion will help more rural borrowers reduce their monthly payments and ease their financial burdens.

A number of ag organizations including the National Farmer’s Union and the U.S. Cattleman’s Association are applauding a bipartisan group of lawmakers for their support of the U.S. Country of Origin Labeling or COOL Law. The WTO has ruled the United States was deemed in compliance in terms of the concept of COOL and its goal of informing consumers; however, the U.S. was directed to adjust certain implementation measures. 

The Environmental Protection Agency is proposing to require production of 14 million gallons of cellulosic biofuels this year, up from 8.7 million gallons in 2012. The proposed target is "a reasonable representation of expected production" this year, said EPA spokeswoman Julia Valentine.

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