Month: November 2021

Corn to take a leading role as farmers chase high commodity prices Lured by two years of strong market prices, U.S. farmers will expand crop plantings significantly in 2022, with corn area rising by 3 percent despite sharply higher fertilizer costs, said economist Scott Irwin of the University of Illinois… Continue reading

USDA vaccination rate is lowest in federal government Six of every seven USDA employees are partially or fully vaccinated against Covid-19 and the USDA says it expects that in the weeks ahead more will get vaccinated in compliance with the federal mandate. All the same, the USDA’s vaccination rate of… Continue reading

U.S. farm exports to set a record, but not as big as expected China is buying less U.S. crops and livestock than expected, particularly soybeans, and America’s ag exports are feeling the pinch. Sales are forecast at a record $175.5 billion this fiscal year, said the USDA on Tuesday, but… Continue reading

‘Significant progress’ in Covid-19 vaccinations at USDA USDA “critical services” will not be disrupted by the Biden administration mandate for federal workers to be vaccinated against Covid-19, said the department on Monday as the deadline passed for inoculations. Farm and livestock groups said earlier this month that the mandate might… Continue reading

Danger signs for 2023 farm bill in partisan rancor on Capitol Hill Congress traditionally enacts the farm policy bills covering the gamut from crop subsidies to food stamps at the urging of a coalition of farm, conservation and anti-hunger groups. A former USDA official said the 2023 farm bill could… Continue reading

Thanksgiving dinner will cost more. But how much? Americans can cook the classic Thanksgiving meal featuring roast turkey and pumpkin pie for $5.33 a person, according to an informal survey of supermarket prices. But while all sides agree that ingredients for the meal will cost more this year, there is… Continue reading

Nominee would build ‘civil rights culture’ at USDA Declaring “there is no place at USDA for discrimination,” University of Michigan law professor Margo Schlanger told senators on Wednesday that she would build “a civil rights culture” at the USDA if confirmed as assistant secretary for civil rights. At the same… Continue reading

Biofuel groups push for ‘strong’ ethanol mandate, citing climate and gas prices Amid reports the EPA might scale back the ethanol mandate, biofuel groups said on Tuesday there was no U.S. path to net-zero greenhouse gas emissions or lower prices at the fuel pump without homegrown ethanol. Senate confirms Bonnie,… Continue reading

Infrastructure package is ‘monumental step forward,’ says Biden America will have the best roads, bridges, ports and airports in the world when the new $1.2 trillion infrastructure law is fully implemented, said President Biden at a bill-signing ceremony on Monday. And he will be on the road to promote the… Continue reading