Agribusiness Update for Friday 12/13/13

Members of the Coalition to Promote U.S. Agricultural Exports are urging Farm Bill Conference Committee leaders to maintain authorization for USDA export market development programs in a new farm bill or - if one becomes necessary - in a short extension of the current farm bill. The Coalition members are specifically calling for maintaining Market Access Program funding at no less than 200-million dollars annually and the Foreign Market Development program at no less than 34.5-million dollars.

The joint Farm-to-Fleet venture announced by USDA and the Navy Wednesday will make biofuel blends part of regular, operational fuel purchase and use by the military. The announcement incorporates the acquisition of biofuel blends into regular Department of Defense domestic solicitations for jet engine and marine diesel fuels.

The House Natural Resources Committee held an oversight hearing on Thursday.  The hearing was the fifth in a series of hearings on the Endangered Species Act, and focused on the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service's mega-settlements with the Center for Biological Diversity and WildEarth Guardians.

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