U.S. farm exports hit a new record of $140.9 billion last fiscal year, an amount that supports about 1 million American jobs, according to U.S. Agriculture Secretary Tom Vilsack.

The former Iowa governor said the past five years, 2009-2013, represents "the strongest five-year period for agricultural exports in our nation’s history."

Compared to the previous five-year period from 2004-2008, U.S. agricultural exports increased by a total of about $230 billion, Vilsack said. And the average volume of bulk commodities exported increased by nearly 4 million tons per year during that same period.

"We need to remain focused on keeping up the incredible momentum we’ve seen over the past five years," he said, continuing his push for a new farm bill that includes support for U.S. trade...