AgDay Daily Recap - March 21, 2018

TODAY ON AGDAY
MARCH 21, 2018

HEADLINES
PREPPING FOR NEW TARIFFS AND THE POTENTIAL IMPACTS ON AG. MCDONLDS' TAKES ITS GOLDEN ARCHES GREEN. IN AGRIBUSINESS...CATTLE MARKETS. CELEBRATING THIS THING OF OURS....  "AGRICULTURE IS THE ESSENCE OF AMERICA."  AND NOT FEAR MONGERS---CHEESE MONGERS IN WISCONSIN. AGDAY - BROUGHT TO YOU BY THE CHEVY SILVERADO, THE MOST DEPENDABLE, LONGEST-LASTING FULL  SIZE PICKUPS ON THE ROAD.

CHINA TARAIFFS, SORGHUM
GOOD MORNING I'M CLINTON GRIFFITHS. WHILE THE ADMINISTRATION HONORED FARMERS AND THE AG INDUSTRY ON  TUESDAY FOR NATIONAL AG DAY, THERE ARE FRESH CONCERNS ABOUT THE  IMPACT OF TRADE POLICIES AT THE FARM GATE.  THOSE CONCERNS STEMMING FROM NEW REPORTS THE ADMINISTRATION IS  PREPARING FRESH TARIFFS AGAINST CHINA. BETWEEN 30 AND 60 BILLION DOLLARS WORTH OF TARIFFS COULD BE IMPOSED  ON CHINESE PRODUCTS IN RESPONSE TO CONCERNS ABOUT INTELLECTUAL  PROPERTY THEFT AND FORCED TECHNOLOGY TRANSFERS.  THE TARIFFS COULD BE ANNOUNCED AS COMMERCE SECRETARY WILBUR ROSS  IS SCHEDULED TO TESTIFY BEFORE THE HOUSE WAYS AND MEANS COMMITTEE  ON THURSDAY. FARM GROUPS SAY ALL OF THESE POLICY MOVES HAVE THE POTENTIAL TO  IMPACT AG. "TARIFFS MATTER. THEY COULD HURT SO ANYTIME THERE'S AN ISSUE OUT  THERE THAT PEOPLE ARE REALLY CONCERNED ABOUT WITH OTHER COUNTRIES  THAT MIGHT OVERREACT WE HAVE TO BE CONCERNED ABOUT IT AND WE HAVE  TO TRY TO DO OUR BEST TO MAKE SURE RETALIATION DOESN'T HAPPEN OR WE  COULD SOMEHOW MAKE SURE WE CAN KEEP WORKING TO MAKE SURE IT GOES  AWAY."ROCKY TRADE MATTERS BETWEEN THE U-S AND CHINA ARE NOTHING NEW. BEFORE THE STEEL AND ALUMINUM TARIFFS WERE EVEN ANNOUNCED, CHINA  HAD ALREADY LAUNCHED AN INVESTIGATION INTO U-S SORGHUM. CHINA ACCUSING THE U-S OF UNFAIRLY DUMPING GRAIN SORGHUM IN THEIR  COUNTRY. TYNE MORGAN TAKES A CLOSER LOOK AT THOSE ALLEGATIONS. THE AMBIVALENT RELATIONSHIP WITH CHINA IS NOTHING NEW.  EARLIER THIS YEAR, CHINA LAUNCHED AN ANTI DUMPING AND ANTISUBISIDY  INVESTIGATION INTO U-S SORGHUM IMPORTS. A CASE THAT NATIONAL SORGHUM  PRODUCERS CEO TIM LUST SAYS DOESN'T STAND ON SOLID GROUND. WE'VE BEEN VERY CLEAR THAT WE HAVE A GREAT RELATIONSHIP WITH OUR CHINESE BUYERS. THIS CASE  WAS NOT INITIATED BY OUR CUSTOMERS. AND CERTAINLY WE WANT TO A FAIR RECORD AND A FAIR CASE TO  MOVE FORWARD.BUT THE MOVE INITIALLY PROVING TO BE A BIG BLOW TO U-S SORGHUM PRICES  AS CHINA IS U-S SORGHUM'S TOP BUYER.  CHINA'S ACTIONS ON GRAIN SORGHUM CERTAINLY HAVE PUT A SHOCKWAVE INTO THE MARKET. SUDERMAN SAYS AS SHIPMENTS TO CHINA HAVE REMAINED FAIRLY STRONG,  THERE'S STILL DOUBT HANGING OVER THE MARKET, INCLUDING THE MOTIVE BEHIND CHINA'S CASE.  EVERYTHING CHINA DOES IS TO PROTECT CHINA AND THEY AHVE A HUGE RESERVE OF CORN THAT THEY'RE  TRYING TO GET RID OF. NOW THEY'RE DOING THAT NOT FAST ENOUGH. THAT CORN IS GOING OUT OF CONDITION  FROM ALL INDICIATION WE CAN FIND. AND IWTH U.S. GRAIN SORGHUM GOING INTO CHINA, THAT'S  DISPLACING CORN THAT THEY'D LIEK TO SEE GOING INTO THE FEED STREAM, INTO THE ETHANOL PLANTS.LUST SAYS WHILE IT'S A BATTLE THAT'S NOT GOING AWAY, ULTIMIATELY COSTING  THE ASSOCIATION TIME AND MONEY, HE ENCOURAGED PRODUCERS TO FOCUS  ON THE BRIGHT SIDE.  I THINK OBVIOUSLY THE FEAR OF HTE UNKNOWN IS SIGNIFICANT AND THERE IS A LOT OF THAT GOING ON  RIGHT NOW, BUT I JUST WANT TO REASSURE GROWERS THERE ARE STILL A LOT OF POSITIVES HAPPENING IN  THIS INDUSTRY. WHILE AG GROUPS UNDERSTAND THE IMPORTANCE OF A MAJOR BUYER LIKE  CHINA, THE NATIONAL WHEAT GROWERS SUPPORTING THE ADMINSTRTION'S  WORLD TRADE ORGANIZATION CASE AGAINST CHINA.  THEY'RE CURRENTLY SUBSIDIZING THEIR DOMESTIC WHEAT GROWERS AT EXCHANGE RATE WOULD ROUGHLY  BE ABOUT 10.40 A BUSHEL. MY WHEAT GROWERS WOULD LOVE 10.40. MY WHEAT GROWERS WOULD  PROBABLY EVEN LIKE 5.40. THAT'S STILL BELOW THE PLC PRICE. SO WE WILL CONTINUE TO WORK ON THAT.  THATS COSTING THE U.S. WHEAT GROWER ABOUT 640 MILLION IN LOST REVENUE A YEAR.GOULE WANTS TO PROTECT FREE TRADE, BECOMING VOCAL ABOUT THE  CURRENT ADMINSTRATION POSSIBLY LOSING GROUND IN THE WORLD TRADE  ARENA.   MY BIGGEST CONCERN THOUGH IS WE'VE LOST SOME OF OUR LEVERAGE AND ABILITY TO NEGOTIATE  BECAUSE WE LEFT THE AGREEMENT AND NOW THERE IS UNCERTAINTY OUT THER EIN THE INTERNATIONAL  ARENA OF IF THE U.S. COMES BACK AND REENGAGES AND DOESN'T GET EXACTLY WHAT THEY WANT, ARE  WE GOING TO PULL BACK OUT AGAIN? WHILE IT'S A BALACING ACT, IT'S ADDING MORE UNCERTAINTY TO A TRADE BATTLE  THAT SEEMS TO BE GAINING STRENGTH. REPORTING FOR AGDAY, I'M TYNE  MORGAN. 

TARIFF EXEMPTION
MEANWHILE, THE EUROPEAN UNION AND U.S. COMMERCE SECRETARY WILBUR  ROSS ARE MEETING IN WASHINGTON THIS WEEK TO CONSIDER A POTENTIAL  TARIFF EXEMPTION.  THE EU IS SEEKING "MORE CLARITY" ON THE CRITERIA FOR WHICH SUCH AN  EXEMPTION COULD BE GRANTED.  E-U DIPLOMATS SAY THE CRITERIA TO GET AN EXEMPTION HAS BEEN LEFT  PURPOSELY VAGUE.  ANY EU EXEMPTION TO THE TARIFFS MUST BE FINALIZED BY THURSDAY, AT THE  LATEST, AS THE TARIFFS TAKE EFFECT FRIDAY. 

GRAIN GLITCH TO BE ADDRESSED
MEANWHILE AN OMNIBUS SPENDING BILL IS SLATED FOR THIS WEEK IN  CONGRESS. ONE OF THE ISSUES EXPECTED TO BE ADDRESSED IS THE 199A "GRAIN GLITCH"  THAT CURRENTLY GIVES FARMERS AND RANCHERS INCENTIVES TO SELL THEIR  PRODUCTS TO AGRICULTURAL COOPERATIVES OVER OTHER TYPES OF  BUSINESSES.  A FIRST VOTE COULD HAPPEN AS EARLY AS TODAY.

MCDONALD’S GOING GREEN
THE GOLDEN ARCHES SAY THEY'RE GOING GREEN...AND IT'S LIKELY TO IMPACT  BEEF PRODUCERS IN THE COMING YEARS. MCDONALD'S ANNOUNCING PLANS TO TO PARTNER WITH FRANCHISEES AND  SUPPLIERS IN HOPES OF REDUCING GREENHOUSE GAS EMISSIONS BY 36  PERCENT. IT'S HOPING TO MEET THAT GOAL BY 2030.IT ESTIMATES THAT WOULD CUT 150 MILLION METRIC TONS OF GREENHOUSE  GASES.  THAT'S THE EQUIVALENT OF TAKING 32 MILLION PASSENGER CARS OFF THE ROAD  FOR AN ENTIRE YEAR. I SPOKE WITH DROVERS EDITOR GREG HENDERSON EARLIER ABOUT THE PLAN.  HE SAYS ITS BASED ON A MODEL FROM CANADA AND U.S. PRODUCERS SHOULD  EXPECT CHANGES. THE UNITED STATES IS ALREADY A MEMBER OF THE GLOBAL ROUNDTABLE FOR SUSTAINABLE BEEF  SUSTAINABILITY PROJECTS IN THE WORKS. NOW OBVIOUSLY WHAT MCDONALD'S DID IN CANADA. THEY'RE  GOING TO BRING THE UNITED STATES. THIS IS A MUCH BIGGER MARKET THAN THE CANADIAN MARKET.  MCDONALD'S IS A BEEF COMPANY. THEY SELL 75 HAMBURGERS A SECOND. SO IT'S IN THEIR BEST  INTEREST TO PROVIDE THEIR CUSTOMERS WHAT THEY WANT. AND RIGHT NOW THEY SAY THEY WANT  SUSTAINABLE BEEF. SO AS WE LOOK AT THIS PROCESS HAVE WE GOTTEN ANY FEEDBACK FROM THE U.S.  INDUSTRY ON WHETHER THEY'RE HAPPY TO DO THIS IS GETTING PAID TO BE A PART OF THIS ENOUGH  INCENTIVE AS THIS PROJECT MOVES FORWARD IT LOOKS LIKE THAT SUSTAINABILITY WHETHER WE AGREE WITH  THAT WORD OR HOW THAT WORD IS DEFINED IS SOMETHING THAT COMPANIES SUCH AS MCDONALD'S AND  OTHER FOOD RESTAURANTS FOOD COMPANIES ARE GOING TO DEMAND. SO IT'S IT WILL BE A SLOW PROCESS PROBABLY IN THE UNITED STATES PROBABLY BE SOME PUSHBACK FROM PRODUCERS. THE UNITED STATES IS ALREADY A MEMBER OF THE GLOBAL ROUNDTABLE  FOR SUSTAINABLE BEEF... THAN THE CANADIAN MARKET.  MCDONALDS IS A BEEF COMPANY. THEY SELL 75 A SECOND SO ITS IN THEIR  BEST INTEREST...RIGHT NOW THEY SAY THEY WANT SUSTAINABLE BEEF. HAVE WE GOTTEN ANY FEEDBACK FROM THE U.S. INDUSTRY (QUESTION) AS THIS PROJECT MOVES FORWARD ... PROBABLY BE SOME PUSHBACK FROM  PRODUCERS. HENDERSON SAYS THE CANADIAN BEEF INDUSTRY HAD ROUGHLY 2000 CATTLE  PRODUCERS INVOLVED. CARGIL IS PAYING 10 DOLLARS PER HEAD FOR BEING VERIFIED AS SUSTAINABLE.  HENDERSON EXPECTS SOMETHING SIMILAR IN THE U.S. OVER THE NEXT COUPLE  YEARS. 

MISSISSIPPI AG COMMISSIONER HEADED TO WASHINGTON
THE STATE OF MISSISSIPPI'S AGRICULTURE COMMISSIONER IS LEAVING THAT  POST TO FILL A SENATE VACANCY IN WASHINGTON. CINDY HYDE-SMITH HAS BEEN AG COMMISSIONER SINCE 2011. MISSISSIPPI GOVERNOR PHIL BRYANT APPOINTED HYDE-SMITH TO FILL THE  VACANT SENATE SEAT THAT WAS CREATED BY THE RETIREMENT OF SENATOR  THAD COCHRAN. COCHRAN ANNOUNCED HIS RETIREMENT EARLIER THIS MONTH, BLAMING HEALTH  ISSUES. HIS LAST DAY IS APRIL FIRST.

CROP COMMENTS
SPRING HAS SPRUNG BUT IT SURE DOESN'T FEEL LIKE IT IN MANY PARTS OF THE  COUNTRY. MIKE HOFFMAN HAS DETAILS IN TODAY'S CROP COMMENTS. GOOD MORNING CLINTON. A SURE SIGN THAT SPRING HAS SPRUNG - GRASS FIRES IN THE MIDWEST  FOLLOWING A LONG WINTER. THIS TOOK PLACE OVER THE WEEKEND IN THE NORTHERN ILLINOIS COUNTY OF  OGLE.  IT APPEARS THE LANDOWNER WAS DOING A BURN-DOWN ON SOME FARMLAND,  BUT IT BURNED PAST THE FENCE LINE AND APPROACHED THE HIGHWAY. SERVES AS A REMINDER HOW QUICKLY INTENTIONALLY SET FIRES CAN BURN OUT  OF CONTROL. AND IT MAY BE THE SECOND DAY OF SPRING BUT MATT NELSON FROM  NORTHEAST NEBRASKA SAYS THE SEASON STARTED OUT WITH SNOW. HE SAYS NO FIELD WORK IS GETTING DONE TODAY--AS HE TAKES HAY OUT HIS  CATTLE.  AND TAKING A LOOK AT THE WIND SPEED FORECAST. YOU CAN SEE MOST OF THE AREAS ARE GOING TO BE  IN THE EAST TODAY WITH THAT STORM SYSTEM STILL KIND OF LINGERING ESPECIALLY INTO GEORGIA AND  SOUTH CAROLINA LATER IT'LL BECOME WINDY OR IN THE WEST AS WE HEAD THROUGH THE LATE AFTERNOON  HOURS AND THEN ESPECIALLY DURING THE DAY TOMORROW. STILL WINDY IN THE FAR NORTHEAST TOMORROW MORNING AS WELL BUT BOY DOES IT BECOME WINDY A LARGE PART OF THE WESTERN STATES WITH SOME  BREEZY CONDITIONS SOUTHERN PLAINS AND THE SOUTHEAST AS WELL. WE'LL HAVE YOUR FORECAST  COMING UP. BUT FIRST CHAIR SOME HOMETOWN. TEMPS

TEASE
AFTER THE BREAK, THE OUTLOOK FOR CATTLE MARKETS WITH ANALYST JOE  VACLAVIK. AND THERE ARE FEAR-MONGERS, WAR-MONGERS. THERE ARE EVEN CHEESE- MONGERS! YOU CAN PROBABLY GUESS WHAT THEY'RE TRYING STIR-UP! DETAILS AS WE HEAD IN THE COUNTRY TO WISCONSIN. AGDAY - BROUGHT TO YOU BY NEW DELARO FUNGICIDE FOR CORN AND SOYBEANS. ACHIEVE  PERSONAL BEST YIELDS.

FLOOR OF THE CME
IN AGRIBUSINESS ... COMMODITIES SEEING A BIT OF A BOUNCE DURING THE  TRADING SESSION TUESDAY. LETS SEE WHERE THINGS CLOSED FROM THE  FLOOR OF THE CME. CORN MARKET TRADED. BOTH SIDES OF UNCHANGED HERE ON TUESDAY IN A FAIRLY QUIET SESSION  AFTER A BIG SELL OFF ON MONDAY. WE'VE SEEN A LITTLE BIT OF A CORRECTION LOWER AS A MATTER OF FACT  THE MARKET HAS RETRACED HALF OF ITS GAINS THAT WERE POSTED FROM THE MID JANUARY LOW UP INTO  THE MARCH HIGH. SO A LITTLE BIT OF SELLING PRESSURE HERE RECENTLY FUNDS HAD BEEN VERY VERY  HEAVILY LONG THE MARKET AS OF LAST WEEK. SO PERHAPS A LITTLE BIT OF FUN LIQUIDATION. NOW  UNDERNEATH THE MARKET I BELIEVE WE'VE GOT SOME VERY STRONG DEMAND. WE'VE SEEN EXPORT  DEMAND FLOURISH HERE AS OF LATE. THE ETHANOL GRIND HAS BEEN PRETTY STRONG. WE'VE GOT SOME  LARGER LIVESTOCK NUMBERS IN THIS COUNTRY WHICH SHOULD HELP FEED DEMAND. SO OVERALL I THINK  THE MARKET SHOULD CONTINUE TO BE SUPPORTED ON BREAKS JUST GIVEN A STRONGER DEMAND BASE  THAN WE HAD ANTICIPATED.

AGRIBUSINESS
THE CATTLE MARKETS ARE PREPARING FOR THE SUMMER GRILLING SEASON.  WHAT'S IN STORE FOR PRICES. TYNE MORGAN ASKS THE QUESTION FROM THE  AGRIBUSINESS DESK. HERE NOW WITH JOE VACLAVIK OF STANDARD GRAIN JOE THIS CATTLE MARKET. I MEAN WHEN YOU LOOK  AT THE FUNDAMENTALS OF IT WE KNOW THAT WE'VE HAD A GROWING CATTLE HERD. IT'S NOT NEW. WE'VE  BEEN REPORTING ON THE NEWS. I MEAN NEWS THIS IS THE SAME STORY WE'VE SEEN THIS THIS CATTLE  GROW AT THE SAME TIME DEMAND HAS BEEN REALLY IMPRESSIVE AND WE'VE SEEN THAT BALANCE BUT  DO YOU THINK WE'RE GETTING TO THAT TIPPING POINT WHERE MAYBE WE DO HAVE TOO MUCH SUPPLY IN  OUR THE FUTURE IS AT THIS POINT ARE POINTING TO EXACTLY THAT THEY'RE POINTING TO A DEAL WHERE YOU  KNOW VERY VERY SHORT TERM HERE TALK AND MAYBE THE NEXT TWO WEEKS WE'RE TIGHT IN CASH CATTLE  BUT THE FUTURES ARE TELLING YOU THAT THINGS ARE GOING TO LOOSEN UP AFTER THAT. AND THEN ONCE WE  GET INTO JUNE JULY AUGUST WE'RE REALLY GOING TO HAVE A MUCH BETTER SUPPLY BASE TO WORK WITH  AND WE'RE GOING TO BE DEALING WITH MUCH LOWER PRICES. THAT'S WHAT THE FUTURES BOARD'S TELLING  US NOW. WE'VE BEEN TOLD THIS STORY BEFORE AND WE'VE ULTIMATELY SEEN CASH PRICES SHOOT RIGHT  BACK INTO THE UPPER 20S. SO IS THIS THE TIME WHERE THIS THIS WALL BEEF AS SOME PEOPLE HAVE  PUT IT REALLY COMES BACK TO BITE US. THAT IS THE MILLION DOLLAR QUESTION FOR THE MOMENT THE  FUTURES SAY YES BUT IT'S NOT GUARANTEED. WHY HAVE WE SEEN SUCH STRONG CASH PRICES OUT THEIR  DEMANDS BEEN GOOD. IF YOU LOOK AT THE RUN THAT WE'VE SEEN IN THE BOXED BEEF MARKET  RECENTLY HAS BEEN REALLY IMPRESSIVE. WE HAD A STREAK THAT SPANNED SEVERAL WEEKS WHERE  CHOICE BOXES WERE STUCK IN THIS RANGE FROM 200 UP TO TO TEN OF THEM TERRIBLE PRICE. BUT IT WAS  KIND OF RAINED AROUND FOR A WHILE. NOW WE'RE UP INTO THE MID 20S AND WE'VE SEEN A NICE RUN  HIGHER AND WE'VE STABILIZED AT THOSE LEVELS. SO THE SALES ON THE EXPORT FRONT JUST DEMAND FOR  BEEF AND GENTLES BEEN VERY GOOD. SO YOU THINK RIGHT NOW THESE THESE PRICES THAT WE HAVE  TODAY FAVORABLE COMPARED TO WHAT WE COULD HAVE IN THE COMING MONTHS. WELL THE FUTURES  BOARD TELLS YOU THAT WE'RE GOING TO BE A LOT CHEAPER I MEAN THE JUNE AND AUGUST FUTURES ARE  AT SUCH A MASSIVE DISCOUNT TO THE NEARBY. THAT'S EXACTLY WHAT THE MARKET'S TELLING THEM. ALL  RIGHT THANKS JOE WE APPRECIATE IT. LET'S TAKE A QUICK BREAK AND THEN WE'LL BE BACK WITH A  CHECK OF WEATHER AGDAY - BROUGHT TO YOU BY PROSARO FUNGICIDE FROM BAYER. 

WEATHER
WELCOME BACK TO AGDAY HERE WITH. METEOROLOGIST MIKE HOFFMAN LOOKING AT THIS STORM  WORKING ITS WAY UP THE EAST COAST AND LIKE WHAT. ANOTHER NOR'EASTER I SUPPOSE THE FOURTH  ONE. YEAH IT'S BEEN JUST THAT PATTERN WE'VE SETTLED INTO THIS YEAR AND THAT STORMS ARE GOING TO  CAUSE SOME BIG SNOWS IN PLACES ONCE AGAIN AND THIS LINGERING PIECE OF ENERGY BACK IN THE  EASTERN OHIO VALLEY GOING TO CAUSE SOME DECENT AMOUNTS OF SNOW AS WELL BEFORE IT FINALLY  FOLDS INTO THE MAIN SYSTEM. BOY THERE'S AT LEAST TWO STORMS CAN ALL COME TOGETHER OUT WEST.  YOU CAN KIND OF SEE SOME MORE ENERGY BACK BEHIND THAT SOUTHERN ONE. I'M ONLY SHOWING TWO  ON THE MAP BUT THAT'S GOING TO BE A BIG WEATHER MAKER OUT WEST IN BETWEEN HIGH PRESSURE  DOMINATING FOR TWO THREE DAYS HERE SO NOT BAD WEATHER AT ALL BY LATER TODAY. SEE THE SNOW  TAPERING OFF IN THE OHIO VALLEY STILL SOME LINGERING IN THE SOUTHERN AND CENTRAL APPALACHIANS  AND THE HEAVY STUFF WITH THE MAIN AREA OF LOW PRESSURE MOVING THROUGH THE BIG CITIES OF THE  NORTHEAST. NEXT SYSTEM AGAIN DOUBLE BARREL SYSTEM COMING IN OUT WEST WITH LOTS OF RAIN AND  MOUNTAIN SNOWS IN MANY PARTS OF THAT AREA. OBVIOUSLY CALIFORNIA GOING BACK INTO A DROUGHT  AFTER THE LA NINA WINTER GOING TO GET SOME MOISTURE OUT OF THIS WHICH IS SOME GOOD NEWS.  THERE'S A SNOW BY TOMORROW MORNING STILL IN EASTERN NEW ENGLAND. HIGH PRESSURE FROM THE  GREAT LAKES ALL THE WAY DOWN INTO THE GULF ANING SEE AS WE HEAD INTO THE AFTERNOON HOURS.  TOMORROW A WARM FRONT STARTS TO SET UP IN THE CENTRAL PLAINS. STILL LOTS OF MOISTURE COMING IN  WITH THIS SYSTEM AND A LOT OF ENERGY FEEDING INTO THE WEST COAST EVEN LATER IN THE DAY  TOMORROW PRECIPITATION ESTIMATE PAST 24 HOURS MOST OF IT HAS BEEN IN CALIFORNIA BUT ALSO MID- ATLANTIC STATES DOWN INTO FLORIDA WHERE THERE WAS SOME SEVERE WEATHER THAT WILL KIND OF  THAT'S ALREADY MOVED SOUTH OF FLORIDA THOUGH SO WE DON'T HAVE TO WORRY ABOUT IT AGAIN TODAY.  WE'LL ADD A LITTLE BIT MORE IN THE EAST. ALL OF MOST OF THAT'S GOING TO BE IN THE FORM OF SNOW.  WE'RE GOING TO ADD A WHOLE BUNCH OUT WEST. LOOK AT SOME OF THE AMOUNTS THERE. THAT'S LIKE  WHEN YOU MELT DOWN THE SNOW THAT'S GOING TO BE A FOOT OF RAIN IN PLACES IN THE CENTRAL SIERRA  NEVADA'S AND EVEN THE LOS ANGELES AREA EXPECTED TO GET SOME PRETTY HEAVY AMOUNTS OF  RAIN. THERE IS A SNOWFALL PAST 24 HOURS. MOST OF IT. INDIANA OHIO INTO THE NORTHEAST AND THE  HEAVIEST IS DEFINITELY GOING TO BE IN THE SOUTHEAST OF THE APPALACHIANS ALL THE WAY UP INTO THE  SOUTHERN AND EASTERN PORTIONS OF NEW ENGLAND BY THE TIME THIS STORM IS DONE AND A LOT OF  THE HIGHER ELEVATIONS OUT WEST GETTING THE SNOW AS WELL. HIGH TEMPERATURES TODAY 70S IN  TEXAS. ELSEWHERE IT'S MAINLY ON THE CHILLY SIDE LOTS OF 30S. NORTHERN PLAINS INTO THE NORTHEASTERN OHIO VALLEY LOWS TONIGHT. A WHOLE BUNCH OF 20S AND 30S THROUGH THE MIDDLE OF  THE COUNTRY AND HIGHS TOMORROW AFTERNOON KIND OF MORE OF THE SAME STARTING TO WARM UP  EVEN A LITTLE BIT MORE AROUND THE RIO GRANDE IN TEXAS. NOW AS FAR AS THE JETSTREAM IS  CONCERNED THERE'S THAT BIG STORM MOVING NORTHEAST BIG REDS THEN TRIES TO FORM. BUT BOY THE  STORM SYSTEMS JUST KEEP KIND OF CUTTING INTO IT. IT'S INTERESTING THOUGH THE PATTERN MAY BE  CHANGING AS WE HEAD INTO THE MIDDLE OF NEXT WEEK. THAT'S A LOOK ACROSS THE COUNTRY NOW  LET'S TAKE A LOOK AT SOME LOCAL FORECASTS. WE HAD TO SACRAMENTO CALIFORNIA FIRST OF ALL COOL  WITH TIMES OF RAIN HIGH OF 65 KANSAS CITY MISSOURI PARTLY SUNNY RATHER COMFORTABLE TODAY HIGH  57 IN COLUMBIA SOUTH CAROLINA. PERIODS OF RAIN AND COOLER HIGH OF ONLY 56 DEGREES

TEASE
WHEN WE  COME BACK, IT'S NEARLY FRESH PEACH SEASON--AT LEAST FOR  GROWERS IN FLORIDA. WE'LL HAVE DETAILS ON THE PACKER TV. MAYBE IT'S NOT A BIG DEAL IN YOUR HOUSE, BUT DO YOU STRUGGLE FINDING  JUST THE RIGHT CHEESE FOR A SPECIAL EVENT? THERE'S HELP FOR THAT. DETAILS IN JUST A FEW MINUTES.

PACKER TV
SOUTHERN PEACHES ARE GETTING CLOSER TO HARVEST WHILE UP NORTH,  GROWERS CONTINUE TO WAIT ON BLOOMS. IN FLORIDA, FLORIDA PEACH GROWERS ANTICIPATE A STRONG CROP THIS  SPRING. ACCORDING TO THE PACKER, PEACHES HAVE SEEN THEIR RECOMMENDED CHILL HOURS, AND QUALITY IS LOOKING GOOD. COOL WEATHER HAS DELAYED HARVEST SOME BUT SOME LIMITED SHIPPING MAY  START NEXT WEEK. THE HEART OF HARVEST FOR FLORIDA COMES DURING THE LAST TWO WEEKS OF  APRIL AND THE FIRST WEEK OF MAY. IN MY WORLD - WITH THE PRIVILEGE OF HOSTING THIS TELEVISION SHOW - EVERY DAY IS AGDAY. THE SAME HOLDS TRUE FOR AMERICA'S FARMERS AND  RANCHERS. BUT FOR EVERYBODY ELSE. AG...DAY - WITH A SPACE - COMES ONCE A YEAR. VICE PRESIDENT MIKE PENCE HELPED CELEBRATE NATIONAL AGRICULTURAL DAY  YESTERDAY AT USDA. THIS IS THE 45TH ANNIVERSARY OF NATIONAL AGDAY. IT WAS CREATED BY THE AGRICULTURAL COUNCIL OF AMERICA TO RECOGNIZE  AND CELEBRATE THE ABUNDANCE OF FOOD, FUEL AND FIBER PRODUCED BY YOU. TO ALL OF YOU WHO WORK IN AGRICULTURE WHOSE LABOR AND LIFE'S WORK CAN BE FOUND. WE HAVE SO  MUCH MORE IN THE CHARACTER OF THE NATION. JUST THANK YOU ON THIS NATIONAL AG DAY. TO ALL OF  YOU WHO SUPPORT OUR FARMERS OUR PRODUCERS OUR RANCHERS OUR FORESTERS. THROUGH THE WORK  DONE IN THIS DEPARTMENT AND THROUGH PRIVATE ORGANIZATIONS SO WELL REPRESENTED HERE TODAY.  THANK YOU FOR WHAT YOU DO EVERY> THE VICE PRESIDENT ALSO ENCOURAGED YOUNG PEOPLE TO GET INVOLVED IN  THIS NOBLE PROFESSION. AND - TAKING LIBERTIES WITH A LINE FROM PRESIDENT  TRUMP - "TO MAKE AMERICA GROW AGAIN".

TEASE
WHEN WE COME BACK - HELPING YOU SELECT JUST THE RIGHT VARIETY OF  CHEESE FOR YOUR PARTY.IN THE COUNTRY IS NEXT.

IN THE COUNTRY
IN THE COUNTRY - SPONSORED BY KUBOTA.  TRACTORS, HAY TOOLS, UTILILTY VEHICLES, MOWERS AND  MORE.  VISIT KUBOTA.COM TODAY. MANY OF US ENJOY CHEESE.  HECK, SOME EVEN LOVE IT.  BUT HOW CERTAIN ARE  YOU WHEN IT COMES TO SELECTING THE RIGHT CHEESE FOR A CERTAIN EVENT?  THAT'S WHERE A CHEESE MONGER COMES INTO PLAY. IN THIS VIDEO PROVIDED BY THE WISCONSIN MILK MARKETING BOARD, MEET A  WISCONSIN CHEESEMONGER  WHO'S TEACHING CHEESE LOVERS HOW TO  CREATE THEIR OWN IMPRESSIVE DISPLAYS! LIZ DUELAND HAS WORKED WITH WISCONSIN ARTISAN CHEESE FOR SEVERAL YEARS AT METRO  MARKET IN MADISON, AND IS NOW SHARING HER KNOWLEDGE AND EXCITEMENT FOR THOSE PRODUCTS AT  PRIVATE EVENTS. "I'M TRYING TO CREATE A NEW WAVE OF CHEESE MONGERING, AND THAT'S PRIVATE CHEESE MONGERING  WHERE I GO INTO PEOPLE'S HOUSES AND HELP THEM CREATE BOARDS, WHERE I TEACH CLASSES THAT  HELP THEM UNDERSTAND WHAT PAIRS WELL WITH ARTISAN CHEESE."  BY HOLDING INTIMATE HANDS-ON  CLASSES, DUELAND IS ABLE TO SHARE THE RICH STORIES BEHIND EACH FEATURED CHEESE! "I THINK THAT  WHEN A CUSTOMER HEARS THE UNIQUE STORY AND THE  UNIQUENESS OF THE CHEESE THAT YOU'RE  OFFERING THEM TO SAMPLE, AND ULTIMATELY BUY, THEY CONNECT WITH THAT." FOCUSING ON WISCONSIN SPECIALTY CHEESES, DUELAND HOPES TO ENLIGHTEN PEOPLE ABOUT ALL THE DIFFERENT VARIETIES OF  AWARD-WINNING CHEESES AVAILABLE.  "AND THEY ALSO WANT TO SUPPORT WISCONSIN PRODUCTS, AND  THEY ALSO WANT TO SUPPORT BURGEONING CHEESEMAKERS." IN EACH CLASS, ATTENDEES LEARN HOW TO  ARTFULLY DISPLAY THE CHEESE AS WELL AS TASTE THE DIFFERENT FLAVOR COMPONENTS OF THE CHEESE SO  THEY CAN APPRECIATE ITS UNIQUENESS AND PAIR IT WITH COMPLEMENTARY FOODS.  "ONCE THEY HAVE  IT IN THEIR MOUTH, AND THEN I EXPLAINED BOTH ITS FLAVORS, HOW IT'S CRAFTED, THE PERSON WHO  CRAFTED IT, IT IS AN EXPERIENCE THAT THEY APPRECIATE. AND REALLY THE CHEESE SPEAKS FOR ITSELF."   AND THAT'S WISCONSIN DAIRY NEWS. BY THE WAY LIZ IS ALSO WRITING A BOOK AND CREATING PRINTS AND NOTE  CARDS THAT HIGHLIGHT WISCONSIN SPECIALTY CHEESES! 

CLOSE
THAT'S ALL THE TIME WE HAVE THIS MORNING. WE'RE GLAD YOU TUNED IN.  FOR ALL OF US AT AGDAY. I'M CLINTON GRIFFITHS. HAVE A GREAT DAY. AGDAY - BROUGHT TO YOU BY RAM COMMERCIAL - AMERICA'S LONGEST-LASTING HEAVY DUTY  PICKUPS.