Latest Round of NAFTA Talks and Master Cheesemakers Wanted
From the Ag Information Network, I'm Bob Larson with your Agribusiness Update.**NAFTA negotiations entered a sixth round last week amid widespread concerns that without substantial progress, the 24-year-old pact between the U.S., Mexico and Canada could come to an end.
According to unnamed government sources, no further rounds are scheduled after the Montreal meeting, which are expected to wrap up today, according to U.S. government and industry officials.
In the best-case scenario, negotiators will close these latest talks with significant progress, allowing leaders of the three countries to put the finishing touches on a new NAFTA in March.
https://www.agri-pulse.com/articles/10501-nafta-talks-heading-toward-make-or-break-point
**Looking for a great job with ties to dairy? If you're willing to move to Wisconsin, you could earn certification as a master cheesemaker. According to Agweb.com, all it takes is 13 years of hard work, 10 honing the craft and three to exhibit mastery through advanced courses and exams.
Several cheesemakers from America's Dairyland are getting closer to retirement, and are focusing on training the next generation of cheesemakers.
The Wisconsin Milk Marketing Board claims it's is the only such program outside of Europe.
http://www.agweb.com/article/13-years-in-the-making-the-path-to-be-a-master-cheesemaker-NAA-agday-tv/
**The USDA Farm Service Agency has announced another year of high activity in its farm loan programs.
According to agrimarketing.com, hard-working farm families across the country accessed nearly $6 billion in new credit, either directly or guaranteed through commercial lenders in 2017.
At year end, FSA was assisting more than 120,000 family farmers with loans totaling just over $25 billion.
https://www.agrimarketing.com/s/114862