Veneman: U.S. agricultural exports to boost farmer incomes in 2004

Veneman: U.S. agricultural exports to boost farmer incomes in 2004    U.S. Agriculture Secretary Ann M. Veneman told farm representatives at the annual Farm Journal Forum in Washington Dec. 4 that agricultural exports will continue to raise farm incomes in 2004.
   “We expect farm income in 2003 to be a record high — a sharp rebound from 2002 and well above the long-term average,” Veneman said. “Net cash income is forecast to be $65 billion, up 33 percent over 2002.”
   She said that part of this improved income is generated by increased U.S. agricultural exports.
   “Exports for 2003 are estimated at $56.2 billion, while the forecast for next year, for 2004, is $59.5 billion just short of the all-time record of $60 billion, set in 1996,” Veneman said. “It would represent the fifth consecutive year of recovery of our export markets.”
   USDA will offer a more detailed forecast for agricultural exports at its February Outlook Conference in Washington.