Rollins Named Ag Secretary and Dominican Swine Fever Boosts U.S. Pork Exports
From the Ag Information Network, this is your Agribusiness Update.
**U.S. Wheat Associates has elected vice president of overseas operations, Mike Spier as its next President and CEO.
The move becomes official with the retirement of current President and CEO Vince Peterson next July.
Spier is an Oregon native with a bachelor’s degree in accounting from Seattle Pacific University.
He started his career in 1992 as an accountant and then a grain merchandiser with United Grain Corporation in Portland.
He joined USW in 1997.
**Ag groups are reacting to President-elect Trump’s naming of Brooke Rollins as his nominee for Secretary of Agriculture.
National Cattlemen’s Beef Association Vice President Ethan Lane says, “Brooke Rollins has fought for Main Street and rural America.”
Rob Larew, president of the National Farmers Union, hopes her rural roots instilled in her the important role that family farmers and ranchers play in supporting the national economy.
**U.S. pork exports to the Dominican Republic could reach a record high as African Swine Fever outbreaks continue across the country.
USDA says researchers are expecting “increased export opportunities” for U.S. pork to the Caribbean nation with local production declining thanks to increased disease outbreaks.
While pork exports to the Dominican Republic are set to hit another record this year, competition from Brazil could influence how much the country imports moving forward.
