McLean County Farm Bureau

FarmDoc Daily

• From Infrastructure Investment to Expanded Market Access: China’s Belt and Road Initiative in Africa and the Implications for U.S. Trade Policy
  China’s Belt and Road Initiative has expanded Beijing’s economic presence in Africa through infrastructure and related investments. The US, by contrast, is at an inflection point in its trade policy with Africa. The African Growth and Opportunity Act was reauthorized only through the end of 2026, and the Trump administration has indicated that any successor […]
• Producer Sentiment, Farm Growth, and Transition Planning
  Given the large difference in prices received and projected net return prospects, it is not surprising to find a large difference in producer sentiment between crop and livestock producers. In contrast to producer sentiment, farm growth and transition plans are similar among crop and livestock producers. Approximately 50% of respondents plan to grow in the […]
• Flipping the Pyramid: Public Perceptions of New Dietary Guidelines
  We use results from the most recent wave of the Gardner Food and Agricultural Policy Survey to assess perceptions of the new Dietary Guidelines for Americans. The majority of participants agreed that following the recommendations was important to the health of their household, with strongest support for the recommendation to “eat vegetables and fruits throughout […]