Black Sea shutdown could have multiyear impact on Ukraine’s farmers
Ukraine is losing its place as one of the world’s largest exporters of wheat and corn because of warfare, and its role could shrink further with the closure of Black Sea shipping lanes this week, said analysts at the IFPRI think tank. Russia, which has attacked Ukrainian grain ports for three days in a row, declared on Thursday that ship travel was unsafe in parts of the Black Sea.
Bills would allow CBD in supplements, foods, and beverages
Companion bills in the Senate and House would allow the hemp derivative cannabidiol, also known as CBD, to be used in dietary supplements, foods, and beverages, the bills’ four sponsors said on Thursday.
TODAY’S QUICK HITS
Veto ag wage bill: Maine Gov. Janet Mills vetoed a bill that would require employers to pay the minimum wage to farmworkers in the state, saying she was concerned about the “scope of the language” in the bill. (Associated Press)
Corn, soy drought eases: Although crop-nourishing rainfall in the past week reduced the portion of the U.S. corn crop in drought by 9 percentage points and the soybean crop by 7 points, 55 percent of corn and 50 percent of soybeans are still in drought. (USDA)
Invite Chinese ag official: The United States has invited Tang Renjian, the Chinese agriculture minister, to an Aug. 3 meeting in Seattle of the agriculture ministers of Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation nations. (Politico)
Another urban-rural split: Nearly 15 percent of rural Americans reported having a disability, compared with 12.6 percent of the urban population, according to Census Bureau data. (Daily Yonder)
Fresh food in cities: Agriculture Secretary Tom Vilsack and Deputy Secretary Xochitl Torres Small will be in Philadelphia on Friday to announce a USDA plan to increase urban access to fresh foods and expand markets for local food production. (FERN’s Ag Insider)
