The National Agricultural Statistics Service cattle inventory report in the US counted 93.6 million cattle and calves on 1 January, 2% more than a year ago. Beef cow numbers totaled 31.2 million, marking a 6% rise in just two years. The expansion comes as a result of increasing profits and ample forage supplies.

Organic products from Norway and Iceland can once again be imported to the EU following a harmonisation of rules on production standards. The harmonisation has ended an eight-year delay where producers were complying with outdated rules that were no longer being applied within the EU.

Grain growers in Mato Grosso, Brazil’s top-growing state, are moving to address a shortage of grain storage in the state. Aprosoja-MT, the soya bean and corn producers’ association, has requested to reduce the interest rates charged on loans for building grain stores from the current 9.5% to 7.5%.

Scottish food and drink exports achieved record sales of £5.5bn in 2016, an 8% increase on 2015 export values. The EU remained the largest export market for Scottish food and drink, accounting for 42% of the total sales. Scotch whiskey exports increased by 4% to over £4bn.