Agribusiness Update for Wednesday 12/11/13

As negotiations for a new farm bill continue - the U.S. Cattlemen's Association continues to urge members of the conference committee to leave the country of origin labeling program alone. USCA is strongly opposed to any amendment that would alter or repeal COOL. The group says legislative action on COOL is unwarranted.

Members of the World Trade Organization have agreed to adopt multilateral agreements on efforts to reduce barriers at borders as well as several agricultural provisions. U.S. Grains Council Director of Trade Policy Floyd Gaibler says trade facilitation measures that reduce transaction costs and red tape should improve overall trade benefits - including agriculture related products.

USDA is making changes to a popular loan program for rural homebuyers. The changes are part of an extensive overhaul designed to strengthen rural housing markets, increase the availability of rural home loans and spur the construction of new homes in rural areas. Ag Secretary Tom Vilsack says the changes will help create jobs and enable more people to participate in the loan guarantee program.

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