Agri-Pulse Communications, Inc.

Sen. John Thune, R-S.D., is reelected to serve as Senate Republican leader in the 120th Congress starting early next year, keeping the Agriculture Committee member in the chamber’s top GOP post.

The Agriculture Department on Tuesday lowered its corn production forecast to 15.9 billion bushels, the second-largest projected harvest on record but down slightly from last month’s estimate of 16 billion bushels.

Farmer Kevin Skunes, previously of the National Corn Growers Association and Growing Hope Globally, argues that the Treasury Department should support an IMF allocation of Special Drawing Rights to boost U.S. farm exports and help combat global hunger.

Food prices rose 0.5% in October, marking a return of price increases following a mostly flat September, according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics’ latest Consumer Price Index.

Agribusiness giant Bunge and plant genetics firm GDM are teaming up to develop oilseeds for making biofuels, marking the latest ag partnership aimed at leveraging global demand for renewable transportation fuels.