Biofuels sector rankled although EPA proposes highest ethanol mandate ever
The Biden administration said it would set the ethanol mandate at its highest level ever in 2022 and reject 65 requests from small refineries for exemptions from the Renewable Fuel Standard (RFS). Both were welcome steps for biofuel backers, but they rebelled at companion proposals to retroactively set the RFS for 2020 and this year below the maximum possible — “a betrayal” of rural America, said a Nebraska senator.
More farmers worry about large increases in input costs
More than half of America’s big farmers expect prices for inputs such as fertilizer and fuel to soar by more than 12 percent in the coming year, a sign of inflation fears felt across the economy, said a poll released by Purdue University on Tuesday. The latest government report pegged inflation at 6.2 percent, the highest in three decades.
Extend pandemic aid for school meals for another year — survey
School food directors overwhelmingly say they have trouble acquiring nutritious foods and meal supplies due to supply chain disruptions, according to a survey released by the School Nutrition Association (SNA) on Wednesday. The SNA said the results underscored the need for regulatory relief and increased funding from the USDA for the upcoming 2022/23 school year.
Today’s Quick Hits
USDA climate adviser: Sean Babington, a Senate Agriculture Committee staff worker, was appointed USDA senior climate adviser, a post formerly held by Robert Bonnie, now undersecretary for farm production and conservation. (USDA)
Senate confirms Rosenworcel: On a bipartisan 68-31 vote, the Senate confirmed FCC chair Jessica Rosenworcel to a new term running through July 1, 2025. (Senate)
Farmworker pay raise: So-called guestworkers on U.S. farms will see a pay increase in 2022, which will also indirectly benefit domestic farm workers as a result of a lawsuit to stop a Trump-era wage freeze. (CalMatters)
Kellogg ousts strikers: Striking workers rejected a sixth contract proposal and foodmaker Kellogg Co. said, “The prolonged work stoppage has left us no choice but to hire permanent replacement employees.” (Reuters)
