Rogue GE wheat found in U.S. Northwest for fourth time since 2013
The USDA has never approved cultivation of genetically engineered wheat, yet for the fourth time since April 2013 a wheat strain resistant to the weedkiller glyphosate was found growing wild in the northwestern United States. The discovery could disrupt wheat exports and it raises questions about USDA’s ability to police agricultural biotechnology.
Mexico to buy ‘large quantities’ of U.S. ag exports, says Trump
Without providing details, President Trump said on social media over the weekend that Mexico, the largest U.S. food and ag trade partner, would “immediately begin buying large quantities of agricultural product from our great patriot farmers.”
TODAY’S QUICK HITS
More fat Trump tariff payments (New Food Economy): A single mailing address in Charleston, Missouri, received $2.78 million in USDA’s trade mitigation payments and 72 others received $500,000 or more from a program with a nominal payment limit of $125,000 a person.
Send disaster aid quickly (Florida Daily): Seven Florida lawmakers asked Agriculture Secretary Sonny Perdue to allot $3 billion in long-delayed agricultural relief funds among states as rapidly as possible.
Better groundwater, in five years (Minneapolis Star-Tribune): The groundwater protection rule awaiting approval from Minnesota Gov. Tim Walz would bar farmers from applying nitrogen fertilizer in parts of the state during certain seasons.
Summer reading list (Food Tank): A list of 29 books aimed at food justice, agricultural sustainability and healthier diets includes Wendell Berry’s essays, the “Vegetables Unleashed” cookbook, a guide to ethical hog farming, a history of drive-through restaurants and a resource for community-scale composting.
The cost of fruit and vegetables (USDA): If Americans want to meet the Dietary Guidelines’ recommendations for fruits and vegetables, they could do it for $2.10-$2.60 a day, say researchers who priced out different combinations of popular fresh and processed fruits and vegetables that provide the appropriate variety.
ON THE CALENDAR
Monday
– International Fuel Ethanol Workshop and Expo, through Wednesday, Indianapolis.
– United Fresh Produce Association holds United Fresh 2019, through Wednesday, Chicago.
– USDA releases weekly Crop Progress report, 4 p.m. ET.
Tuesday
– President Trump speaks at Southwest Iowa Renewable Energy, Council Bluffs, Iowa, 3:15 p.m. CT/4:15 p.m. ET, and at a Republican fundraiser, West Des Moines, Iowa. Gov. Kim Reynolds and Agriculture Secretary Sonny Perdue are expected to join Trump for the visit to Council Bluffs, which was affected by spring floods.
– USDA releases monthly Crop Production and WASDE reports, noon ET. The USDA is expected to cut sharply its projections of this year’s corn crop because of persistent rainfall that delayed planting for weeks.
– House Agriculture subcommittee hearing, “The state of U.S. agricultural products in international markets,” 10 a.m. ET, 1300 Longworth.
– The House begins debate on a “minibus,” combining several annual appropriations, HR 2740: the Labor, Health and Human Services, Education, Legislative Branch, Defense, State, Foreign Operations, and Energy and Water Development Appropriations Act, noon ET, The Capitol.
– InterAction, which describes itself as an international force for change, holds InterAction Forum 2019, through Thursday, Washington Convention Center.
– AgChem Summit 2019, with theme “Discovering environmental solutions with precision,” through Thursday, Raleigh-Durham.
– International Grains Council holds annual Grains Conference, through Wednesday, London.
– USA Rice Millers Association convention, through Friday, Kohala Coast, Hawaii.
– Agriculture Transportation Coalition holds annual meeting, through Thursday, Tacoma, Washington.
– Sustainable agriculture company Indigo holds Beneficial Agriculture conference, through Wednesday, Memphis, Tennessee.
Wednesday
– House Agriculture subcommittee hearing, “Increasing resiliency, mitigating risk: Examining the research and extension needs of producers,” 10 a.m. ET, 1300 Longworth.
– Bipartisan Policy Center launches a Rural Health Task Force and releases a poll on healthcare challenges in rural America, 9:30 a.m. ET, 1225 I St. NW.
– Food Research and Action Center holds annual fundraising dinner; awards its distinguished service award to Senate Agriculture chairman Pat Roberts and Sen. Debbie Stabenow, the senior Democrat on the committee, 7 p.m., 1001 Sixteenth St. NW.
Thursday
– Senate Agriculture Committee hearing, “Certainty in global markets for the U.S. agricultural sector,” 9:30 a.m. ET, 328A Russell. Chief U.S. agricultural negotiator Gregg Doud, Agriculture Undersecretary for Trade Ted McKinney and USDA chief economist Rob Johansson are scheduled to testify. For details, click here.
– USDA releases monthly Oil Crops Outlook and Cotton and Wool Outlook, noon ET.
– USDA releases monthly Feed Outlook, Wheat Outlook and Rice Outlook, 3 p.m. ET.
Friday
– Nominating period opens for election to USDA county committees, which help administer the farm program locally. Nominations for the three-year terms are due Aug. 1 at local USDA offices. Election ballots will be mailed beginning Nov. 4.
Saturday
– American Seed Trade Association holds New Frontiers, a policy and leadership development conference, through June 19, Denver.
