Boozman calls for ‘significant’ farm aid this year
Congress should authorize “significant economic assistance” to farmers before the end of this year to offset lower commodity prices and high production costs, said the senior Republican on the Senate Agriculture Committee on Monday. “Federal assistance must support agricultural producers facing market losses and it needs to happen quickly,” said Arkansas Sen. John Boozman with Congress scheduled to adjourn in three weeks.
Imports own the olive oil market in the United States
Domestic production of olive oil, based mostly in California, is six times larger than it was 20 years ago but it amounts to less than 2 percent of the U.S.’s steadily growing consumption, forecast to be more than 400,000 metric tons this year, say USDA analysts. Drought in Europe, the major producer, drove import prices to record highs but they are projected to decline in the year ahead as production recovers.
TODAY’S QUICK HITS
57 bird flu cases in humans: Two additional human cases of bird flu were confirmed in California, raising the state’s total to 31 and the U.S. total to 57 cases since the viral disease was identified in dairy cattle in late March; almost all involve dairy and poultry workers. (CDC)
SNAP ‘skimming’ fix to expire: A provision allowing the USDA to replace SNAP benefits stolen by so-called card skimming will expire on Dec. 20 unless it is extended as part of a government funding bill, said a think tank. (Center on Budget and Policy Priorities)
Fine for child labor: Under a consent order in federal court, sanitation contractor Qvest LLC will pay a $171,919 penalty for hiring workers under the age of 18 to perform hazardous work cleaning a meatpacking plant in Sioux City, Iowa. (National Hog Farmer)
CHS buys Minnesota co-op: Members of West Central Ag Services, an agricultural cooperative with 14 locations in west-central Minnesota, voted overwhelmingly in favor of a sale to CHS Inc., the largest U.S. farmer-owned cooperative. (DTN/Progressive Farmer)
