‘Big pile of money’ for farmers could backfire in Congress
The Trump administration enabled multimillion-dollar payments to some large operators in this year’s round of trade war payments by obliterating the usual limits on farm subsidies, said the president of the National Farmers Union on Thursday
U.S. apple exports plunge due to trade disputes
The U.S. Apple Association, a trade group, called for free access to overseas markets on Thursday, as it reported that export sales for 2018 had plummeted to $854 million, down from $1.1 billion in 2017.
The Future of Food Summit – EatingWell & IFIC
September 18, 2019 – New York City
For the first time ever, EatingWell and the International Food Information Council Foundation are bringing together thought leaders across academia, agriculture, manufacturing, technology, retail and the media to discuss the Future of Food and how our food system needs to change for the better. Taking place on September 18 in NYC, the summit will feature thought-provoking panel discussions, including a keynote address by Ali Bouzari, Co-Founder of Pilot R&D and Render. For a full line-up of panel topics and speakers and to buy tickets, visit EatingWellIFICSummit.com. #futureoffood
TODAY’S QUICK HITS
White House scrambles on ethanol (Reuters): President Trump, Agriculture Secretary Sonny Perdue, and EPA administrator Andrew Wheeler are considering a range of proposals to boost ethanol demand, including rescinding waivers that exempt some refineries from complying with U.S. biofuel mandates.
Weed seems to defy dicamba (UTcrops): Weed specialist Larry Steckel says he has visited several soybean fields in Tennessee where Palmer amaranth appears to have survived doses of the weedkiller dicamba, which has been in use for only a few years.
Dangerous insecticide at marijuana sites (Los Angeles Times): Drug traffickers are using the highly toxic insecticide carbofuran at remote marijuana operations in California’s Sierra Nevada mountains, said law enforcement officials.
New course for USDA animal welfare (Washington Post): The Trump administration has accelerated a shift in USDA animal welfare enforcement that regards breeders, zoos, and research labs more as partners than as potential offenders.
EPA considering pesticide use on hemp (EPA): A 30-day comment period is open on whether to expand the use of 10 pesticides to include industrial hemp. The agency expects to rule on the applications by the end of the year, well before the 2020 growing season.
