World's Largest Pig Farm

The world's largest pig farm is being constructed in China and is projected to produce around 2.1 million hogs per year. With this come challenges and opportunities. We encourage you to explore the linked article and utilize the discussion points below to guide your conversations around the globe.

Chinese Hog Producer Builds World's Largest Pig Farm

Discussion Points

• What factors have contributed to producers in China building larger and larger pig farms?
• What in the article surprised you and why?
• Identify the opportunities and challenges that are being created by these larger and larger operations.
• How might this farm and trend impact hog producers in your local area as well as others around the world?

United States Soybeans to Brazil

Many reports have shown that in May of 2020 Brazil overtook the United States as the number one soybean producing country in the world. With this being the case why is Brazil importing soybeans from the United States? The article linked below provides some answers. We encourage you to explore the linked article and utilize the discussion points to guide your conversations around the globe. 

Brazil-Bound U.S. Soybean Vessel Loading at Gulf Coast Terminal

Discussion Points

• Why is Brazil turning to the United States for soybeans?
• What did you find most surprising from the article and why?
• Trade relations can have intended and unintended consequences that impact many around the globe. What are some examples within this article? 
• What are the trade relations with your home country and the world? What do you see as the future?

China Suspends Meat Imports from Some Processors

 There is no doubt that COVID-19 has disrupted our food systems. This week we take a look at the global impact that is occurring. We encourage you to read the linked article and utilize the discussion points below to further guide your conversations around the world.

Why is China suspending imports?

Discussion Points

• Why is there a concern for some meats being imported into China? 
• Is this a valid concern? Do some further investigating...what does the science say? Share your sources with your findings.
• How could these import suspensions impact the global meat supply? 
• Will these actions impact your home community or country? Why or why not?

Pork and China's Growing Demand for Protein

China has a growing demand for protein. How will China meet this growing demand? The National Pork Board in the United States has provided some input on this challenge and further information is detailed in the link below. We encourage you to read the linked news release and utilize the discussion points below to guide conversations around the globe.

National Pork Board Study Defines China's Growing Need for Protein

Discussion Points

• Why is China's need for protein on the rise? 
• Why is there a great potential for the United States and China to look at trade in the pork sector at the current time?
• It would be nice if the United States could simply send pork to China as demand increases, but there are often other factors that influence this ease. What other factors may be challenging at the current time? How do those involved overcome these factors?
• The following quote is shared in the release by David Newman, "One of the ways to build value is to expand U.S. pork exports in developed and emerging markets." Where do you see potential for U.S. pork exports to expand and why?

Canada and China Agriculture Relationship

China and United States trade talks have dominated agricultural trade news in the United States over the last year. But what is happening between Canada and China? This week we take a closer look at an article highlighting trade between Canada and Asian countries. You are encouraged to read through the linked article and utilize the discussion questions below to guide your conversations around the globe.

Canada Sees Asian Demand

Discussion Points

• What is the overall trade relationship and picture between Canada and Asian countries? Be specific.
• What factors have driven the picture you described above?
• How have events around the world impacted this trade relationship?
• How is this trade relationship impacting the rest of the world?

China Battling African Swine Fever

As the school year returns for many so does our weekly blogs challenging students and community members around the world to discuss global topics in agriculture. We kick things off with this article that shares the impact of African Swine Fever on hogs in China. We encourage you to read the linked article and utilize the discussion points below to guide conversations in your classrooms. 

Heavily Pork-Reliant China Battling African Swine Fever 

Discussion Points

• What impact is African Swine Fever having on pork production in China?
• Why is this outbreak of African Swine Fever such a concern in China? 
• Notice the picture that accompanies this article. what do you notice about production practices from the picture? What are the similarities/differences between production practices in China and your home country? 
• What are other countries doing to protect against the spread of African Swine Fever? 
• Imagine you work for your home country's department/ministry of agriculture. What practices/procedures would you put in place to protect the pork industry in your home country? Explain your reasoning. 

Trade Uncertainty

Agriculture trade is very important to countries around the globe. There are many things that can impact trade including countries imposing tariffs and quotas. This week there has been a lot of talk about tariffs being placed on products between China and the United States. The attached article gives a brief summary and includes a video explaining the current situation between China and the United States. We encourage you to watch the video, read the article, and utilize the discussion points below to guide conversations around the globe?

Tariffs for China and U.S. Goods

Discussion Points

• Explain what a tariff is. If you need to do additional research that is fine.
• Why is the U.S. considering tariffs on China? Why is China considering tariffs on the U.S.?
• What is the potential impact to agriculture in the two countries (markets, supply, etc.)?
• How might this "trade war" impact your home country? Your home state?
• How might this situation impact countries around the world besides China and the United States?

Discussion tip: Note that the discussion points above do not include any political figures or parties. Try to keep the discussion to trade policy and agriculture markets.

Green Milk

Many are well aware of China’s growing demand for food speicifically meat. However, did you now that milk consumption is on the rise in China as well? The linked article takes a look at this demand and the potential impact expanding could have on the country if practices are not changed and improved. We encourage you to read through the linked article and utilize the discussion points provided to guide conversations around the world!

China’s Need to Turn Milk Green

Discussion Points

• What has been the trend of milk consumption in China over the past years and what direction is it heading?
• The article calls for a need to change current practices. What would be the impact if dairy production expanded in China and dairy producers kept doing “business as usual?”
• China is calling on other countries for advice and education to improve their practices. As a world community we can all learn so much from another. Whether we adapt others practices directly or it causes us to reflect, analyze, and improve things indirectly; we can truly learn so much from one another. We challenge you to pick an area of interest to you in agriculture (dairy, swine, crops, horticulture, natural resources, etc.) and research another countries practices, rules and regulations, facilities/equipment, etc. Have a discussion on what your home country can learn from that country and what you might do differently to improve things at home.

Intercropping in China

Farming on the steep hills of China can be a challenge and soil erosion is a huge concern. This week we take a closer look at some research to protect the soil while increasing profits at the same time in China. We encourage you to look at the linked article and utilize the discussion points below to guide the conversations in your classrooms and communities around the globe.

Helping Chinese Farmers Tackle Erosion

Discussion Points

• Imagine someone approaches you on the street and has no idea what intercropping is. Explain it to them in a couple sentences.
• What benefits where found utilizing intercropping in China? 
• Of all the benefits listed which do you feel was the most important and why?
• Soil erosion continues to be an issue in China and around the world. What are additional ways that erosion can be reduced in China and globally? Explain how/why your recommendations would be successful.

**Ag Educators: Take the last point a step farther and have students create a plan to reduce erosion in China and present to the class.

Trade War to Trade Deal

Recently China and the United States struck a new trade deal that will look to open up the movement of beef, natural gas, and cooked chicken. I encourage you to read through the linked article that shares some of the details of the recent trade talks. At the bottom of the article there is a five minute video clip of analysts looking closer at the trade deal and bringing up some intriguing points. We encourage you to explore the article and video and use the discussion points below to guide your conversations.

China, US Reach Agreement

Discussion Points

• What are the initial details of this trade agreement? 
• To you what is the most significant part of this trade agreement and why?
• Why have some cautioned against immediate excitement over the trade deal?
• Give your predictions of this trade deal. What will be the impact of beef, pork, and/or natural gas prices in your home country for the consumer and producers? Explain and justify your reasonings.

Gene Editing and Cattle

Scientists in China have genetically edited cattle by inserting a gene that increases their resistance to bovine tuberculosis. This has been tried before, but until this time they have not seen the success with avoiding off target genetic effects. Below we have provided a link to a recent article for your review and encourage you to engage in conversation with others around the globe utilizing the discussion points.

Article: Tuberculosis-resistant cows developed for the first time using CRISPR technology 

Discussion Points

• Why do scientists in China feel this is such a breakthrough? What are the benefits?
• Explain the technology they utilized to accomplish this (CRISPR/Cas9). If needed do a quick internet search on the process. There are even many videos on Youtube that explain the process.
• It was noticed that before this time when they attempted this procedure they would find off target genetic effects. Explain what this means.
• How do you see this being perceived in your local community? State? Country? And around the world? Will different regions view this science differently?
• Finally, you are challenged to see both sides of the argument. Some are very excited about this and others are fearful. See if you can list out the arguments from both sides and then try to research what facts there are to support each respective argument.

China and Rooftop Agriculture

About a month ago I came across an interesting article that I wanted to share. The article linked below describes a rooftop farm in China. Along with the article two videos are shared. The first video gives you an up close look at the rooftop garden that is featured in China. The second video discusses agriculture practices and policy in China. I encourage you to read the article and watch the two videos included in the article and discuss the points below.

Sky-high farms: Rooftop agriculture growing in popularity

Video 1: Sky-high Farms

• How is this rooftop farm connecting urban populations to agriculture?
• Would something like this be successful in your home country, state, or local community?
• Rooftop gardens are becoming more common, but what is your thought on adding animals to this rooftop farm?

Video 2: China's Agriculture Sector

• What factors are causing a shift in agriculture production and practices within China?
• How is China looking to modernize farms and why is this needed?
• What is China's stance on GMO's? May their stance be changing moving forward?
• How does land ownership work in China?

Let the conversations begin! Discuss in your classrooms, coffee shops, and communities around the world!

China Key for EU Pork Producers

Pork prices have been struggling in the European Union, but there is hope ahead. Linked below is an article that discusses the many factors that have lead to declining pork prices for the EU and why there is hope ahead. Read through the linked article and utilize the discussion points to spark conversations in your classrooms and communities around the world.

Struggling EU Pig Farmers Look to China for Hope

Discussion Points

• What has caused a decline in pork prices for the European Union?
• Why is the demand for pork imports into China increasing?
• What has the European Commission done to protect farmers in the EU? Does your home country have similar protection policies like this in place? Are these policies fair?
• Why is China likely to turn to the EU, before the US to acquire additional pork imports?
• This article tells a great story of international trade and world markets. Recently at a conference I attended the following was stated, "This isolation theory that is out there is scary for agriculture." What does this mean to you and how would isolation of a country affect it's agriculture and food supply?

Soybeans: To Accept or Not

Featured below is an article from Ag Web that discusses the possibility of some elevators not accepting Roundup Ready 2 Xtend soybeans in the United States due to policies in place around the world with different countries. We encourage you to explore the linked article and startup conversations around the world in your classrooms and communities utilizing the provided discussion questions.

Elevators Say 'No Thanks' to Extend Soybeans

Discussion Points

• Why are some elevators not accepting Roundup Ready 2 Xtend soybeans in the United States?
• Why are many confident that in the future Roundup Ready 2 Xtend soybeans will be accepted by the EU?
• How could the decision of the EU affect markets, supply, etc. in regards to accepting or not accepting Roundup Ready 2 Xtend soybeans? 
• If you were a farmer and preparing for planting, would you plant Roundup Ready 2 Xtend soybeans or go with another option? Justify your response.

Reform Needed for China Agriculture

China is facing many challenges in agriculture and the agriculture minister in China is calling for some needed reform. One major issue that the agriculture minister is wanting to address is the supply of corn and policies that are in place. Linked below is an article that takes a closer look at this issue along with others. We encourage you to read through the linked article and then utilize the discussion points below to jump start conversation in your classrooms, coffee shops, and communities around the world!

China Farm Sector Needs Supply-Side Reform

Discussion Points

• Why is the agriculture minister calling for "supply-side" reform? How could this reform affect prices and supply globally and in your local communities?
• Explain the corn production in China and policies surrounding production over the last couple of years? What are your thoughts on what has been happening? Explain.
• What recommendation is the agriculture minister making to increase farmers profitability while calling for reform at the same time? Does his recommendation apply to farmers around the world?
• There are two other areas that the government is stepping in and creating law/policy for that are mentioned towards the end of the article. What are these two recommendations? Why are these recommendations important?

China Company Interested in Syngenta and Others

We take a look at an article discussing the interest of ChemChina to purchase Swiss based Syngenta. China for years has been trying to get it's hand on GMO (genetically modified organisms) seeds. They have gone to great lengths to do so. They may be closer than ever now to doing so with the possible purchase of Syngenta and other seed companies. Read the linked article and use the discussion points below to guide your conversations.

China's Hunger for GMO Seeds

Discussion Points

• Why is ChemChina so interested in purchasing Syngenta?
• Why is China's president, Jinping, in such great support of the possible acquisition?
• What other companies is ChemChina interested in purchasing and why?
• What could the acquisition of Syngenta by ChemChina mean for:
• China?
• your home country?
• for the rest of the world?

The China/United States Food Connection

Food safety has been a concern in the United States for years and these same issues are rising to the top in China as well. The article linked below takes a look at a group that got together recently to examine and discuss the relationship and possibilities shared between China and the United States as it relates to agriculture trade and food safety. After looking over the attached article use the discussion questions below to start conversation with others.

The Surprising Synergies of China and American Agriculture

Discussion Points

• What was one of the main things that helped shape food safety regulations in the United States?
• What/who is helping to shape China food safety policies today?
• Explain the arable land and population relationship in China and the United States and how this can or does effect the supply chain.
• Discuss the current supply chain in place between China and the United States as it relates to agricultural goods.
• What do you see as the possibilities of food safety and relations between these two countries? If you are from a country other than China or the United States what does your food supply chain look like with China and/or the United States?