Glitches in aid program obscure need for more relief during pandemic, say ag leaders
Farm groups are arguing for a massive new round of cash for agriculture in the coronavirus relief bill being negotiated by Congress and the White House, even though billions of dollars in an ongoing USDA aid program may go unclaimed. There’s no contradiction in the request, said the two largest U.S. farm groups on Monday.
Colony collapse toll is highest in four years for U.S. honeybees
Honeybee keepers reported the loss of 105,240 colonies to colony collapse disorder during the early months of this year, a 76 percent increase from last year and the highest total since 2016, said the USDA on Monday.
TODAY’S QUICK HITS
Court blocks Gulf fish farming: The Commerce Department does not have the legal authority to permit aquaculture in federal waters, said a U.S. appeals court in a blow to a proposal to grow up to 64 million pounds of finfish a year in the Gulf of Mexico. (National Fisherman)
One producer gets bulk of Iowa aid: Family-owned hog producer Christensen Farms, based in Minnesota, received 72 percent of the $2.6 million the Iowa Agriculture Department has paid to defray the cost of culling hogs due to the pandemic. A total of 46,599 head were culled at Christensen farms in Iowa. (Associated Press)
New CEO at Tyson Foods: Dean Banks will become chief executive of Tyson Foods while keeping his title of president of the meat processor as it aggressively pursues automating its meat operations. (Food Dive)
Idaho still undecided on P-EBT: Days before the new school year begins, Idaho state welfare officials have not decided whether to offer a P-EBT program to help low-income parents buy food for their children to replace meals normally provided at school. Idaho is the only state without P-EBT. (Idaho Statesman)
WTO lacks interim leader: While World Trade Organization Director-General Roberto Azevedo will step down on Aug. 31, consultations over selecting a new leader will continue into September, with no consensus on elevating one of the four deputy directors to the role of acting director-general. (WTO)
Blight hits Louisiana hemp: Southern blight, a plant-killing fungal disease, is hammering the first industrial hemp crop grown in Louisiana. With no fungicides available, plant specialists say growers should remove infected plants by hand. (Monroe News Star)
