‘Phase one’ was doomed to disappoint, and it did, say analysts
The 2020 agreement that de-escalated the Sino-U.S. trade war set unrealistically high goals for U.S. exports to China and failed to deliver on them by large margins, say analysts. Overall, China bought just 57 percent of the goods and services it committed to buying as part of the “phase one” agreement. The agriculture sector, at 83 percent, came closest to reaching its export goal.
Turkey flock in Indiana culled after bird flu confirmed
A turkey farm in southern Indiana is the site of the first known case of highly pathogenic avian influenza in the United States since 2020, said the USDA on Wednesday. The 29,000-bird flock in Dubois County was being killed to prevent spread of the virus.
Half of USDA’s undersecretary posts are yet to be filled
Nearly a year after Tom Vilsack became agriculture secretary, his corps of sub-cabinet executives, the eight undersecretaries who oversee each wing of the USDA’s activities, is just half filled. The White House has yet to announce candidates for two of the posts, and two other nominations await Senate action.
Today’s Quick Hits
Methane power: Farm equipment maker New Holland introduced “the world’s first 100 percent methane-powered production tractor,” which can run on biomethane generated on the farm from agricultural or livestock waste. (Successful Farming)
Shades for canals: The Turlock Irrigation District in California’s Central Valley will conduct a first-in-the-nation test by placing solar panels atop irrigation canals to cut evaporation losses and operating costs for the canals while generating renewable power. (Turlock Journal)
Carbon pipeline loophole: Although state officials regulate petroleum pipelines in Minnesota, they have no authority over Summit Carbon Solutions’ plan for a carbon dioxide pipeline. Instead, counties along the pipeline’s route will decide on permits. (Agweek)
More equitable treatment: Black farmers have withstood generations of discrimination, said Agriculture Secretary Tom Vilsack, marking Black History Month on social media. “We have begun re-evaluating USDA’s decades-old programs and processes from top to bottom to more equitably serve all of America’s producers,” he wrote. (Vilsack)
Europe and carbon farming: The European Commission, which has laid out plans to reward farmers for carbon sequestration, is expected to propose legislation by the end of this year to create a Europe-wide framework for promoting carbon farming. (Euractiv)
