Ag groups urge USDA to take over regulation of GE animals Calling it a step for “much-needed innovations,” 11 agricultural organizations urged an Agriculture Department takeover of federal regulation of genetically engineered food animals, now in FDA’s hands. The Trump administration proposed the transfer — over FDA objections — in… Continue reading
Despite inflation, taste matters more than price to food shoppers, says report Americans say they are spending an additional $15 a week on food but that inflation is less important to them at the grocery store than buying good-tasting food, according to a survey by Purdue University. “At present, consumer… Continue reading
Plenty of eggs, although pricey, as bird flu hits more farms Nearly 5 percent of the egg-laying hens in the United States have died in outbreaks of highly pathogenic avian influenza in the past six weeks, said USDA data on Wednesday. Egg prices were rising faster than the overall rate… Continue reading
Grocery prices rocketed up by 10 percent in past year From meat to milk, grocery prices galloped higher, rising by 10 percent in the last 12 months, said the Labor Department on Tuesday. It was the biggest increase in food-at-home prices in 41 years, according to the monthly Consumer Price… Continue reading
White House starts ‘rural infrastructure tour’ loaded with dollar signs President Biden launched a “rural infrastructure tour” on Monday to deliver billions of dollars in funding for rural America with senior officials visiting 30 communities in April. “These generational infrastructure investments will provide rural communities across America affordable high-speed internet,… Continue reading
War drives UN food index to highest level ever The UN index of food prices, already at a record high, rose by 12.5 percent in reaction to Russia’s invasion of Ukraine, with world wheat prices soaring nearly 20 percent, said the Food and Agriculture Organization. Wheat prices were so high,… Continue reading
Egg prices spike as bird flu outbreaks reach two-month mark Americans will not run out of eggs in the ongoing outbreak of bird flu, the worst since 2015, says Agriculture Secretary Tom Vilsack. Four percent of the U.S. layer flock has died in the two months since the first confirmation… Continue reading
War in Ukraine may trigger severe world food crisis — USAID The Biden administration is preparing to tap an emergency food aid fund because of the ripple effects of the Russian invasion of Ukraine on hunger in Africa and the Middle East, a U.S. Agency for International Development official told… Continue reading
War in Ukraine means higher U.S. farm costs The largest U.S. farmers and ranchers say the Russian invasion of Ukraine, with its disruption of grain, oil and fertilizer shipping, will drive up their costs of production, according to a Purdue University poll released on Tuesday. The Ag Economy Barometer also… Continue reading
Vilsack sees ‘no significant’ gains from opening Conservation Reserve The United States stands ready to provide food aid overseas if it is needed in the wake of Russia’s invasion of Ukraine, said Agriculture Secretary Tom Vilsack in a letter to grain merchandisers. At the same time, the letter closed the… Continue reading
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