Soybean Purchases: Trade War & Farmers’ Concerns
- Okay, here's a self-check based on the provided text.
- * 5-6 Correct: Good.You understood the main points, but could benefit from reviewing the article again to solidify details.
- Let me know if you'd like another self-check, perhaps focusing on inferences or a different type of question!
Okay, here’s a self-check based on the provided text. I’ll present questions, and then the answers (hidden initially – reveal them to check yourself). This is a “hard stop” meaning I’m aiming for comprehensive recall.
SELF-CHECK QUESTIONS (Covering Key Facts)
- What role does China play in the global soybean market? (Be specific)
- Approximately how much were U.S. soybean exports to China worth in the year before the trade war significantly impacted purchases?
- What specifically did China not do in the period between May and October that it usually does regarding U.S. soybean purchases?
- Besides relying on U.S. imports, what other two things did China do to mitigate the impact of reduced U.S. soybean purchases?
- according to Caleb Ragland, what is happening to the costs of farm production while agriculture margins are falling?
- What financial loss per acre are soybean farmers expected to face this year, according to the article?
- What is Caleb Ragland’s position/role as mentioned in the article?
- What amount of soybeans did China commit to buying at the end of the article?
ANSWERS (Don’t look until you’ve tried to answer the questions!)
- China is the world’s biggest soybean buyer. It uses soybeans to feed its growing livestock population (pork and poultry). Its economy’s growth has increased demand for high-protein soybeans.
- $12.6 billion.
- China did not commit to buying any U.S. soybeans. They usually commit as early as September.
- China relied on South American imports (especially from Brazil) and increased its own soybean production. (9 million acres added, 8.6 million metric tons increase since 2015).
- The costs of farm production (land, seed, fertilizer) have skyrocketed.
- Around $109 per acre.
- He is a ninth-generation farmer from Kentucky and the president of the American soybean Association.
- 12 million metric tons.
How did you do?
* 7-8 Correct: Excellent! You have a very strong grasp of the key information.
* 5-6 Correct: Good.You understood the main points, but could benefit from reviewing the article again to solidify details.
* 3-4 Correct: Fair.Review the article carefully, focusing on the specific numbers and details.
* 0-2 correct: Needs significant review.Read the article again, taking notes on the key facts.
Let me know if you’d like another self-check, perhaps focusing on inferences or a different type of question!