California is late with rules for Prop 12, ‘world’s strongest’ animal welfare law
More than three years ago, California voters approved Proposition 12, guaranteeing sows, veal calves and egg-laying hens more room to move about and barring the sale of eggs, veal and pork from farms, even in other states, that do not comply with the new standards. The law went into effect on Sunday, although state officials were still working on a final set of regulations.
Cellulosic ethanol plant is retooled for renewable natural gas
Verbio North America says it will more than double the capacity of its plant in central Iowa to produce renewable natural gas from corn stover, and it plans to begin production of corn ethanol in the final months of the year. The facility was the first of three plants in the nation to return to biofuel production after faltering as a producer of cellulosic ethanol, made from grasses, woody plants and crop residue.
Today’s Quick Hits
Snowy Sierra turnaround: Snowpack in the Sierra Nevada is far deeper and wetter than usual — 202 percent of average at Echo Summit — following a series of blizzards that is creating optimism about an easing of California’s water shortage. (Bay Area News Group)
Meatpacking plant anger: Workers at the vast JBS beef processing plant in Greeley, Colorado, say social-distancing rules have been eased in parts of the plant, there isn’t enough hand sanitizer and managers pressure them to come to work even when they are ill. (New York Times)
Redistricted, Spanberger runs: Democratic Rep. Abigail Spanberger, chairwoman of the House Agriculture subcommittee on conservation, said she will run in the redrawn 7th House District in Virginia, which is north of the Richmond suburbs where she resides. (Washington Post)
More Chinese soybeans: At an annual planning conference, Chinese leaders called for increased production of soybeans and other oilseeds, stabilization of grain production and an efficient supply of livestock, fish products and vegetables in 2022. (The Singapore Time)
USDA state directors: President Biden appointed five state directors for USDA agencies, including John Berge, who was White House liaison to USDA during the Obama era, as Nebraska director of the Farm Service Agency. (White House)
On The Calendar
Monday
The Senate convenes at noon ET to open its 2022 session, with a vote scheduled at 5:30 p.m. on the nomination of Gabriel Sanchez to be a judge on the U.S. appeals court in San Francisco. The House is scheduled to open its 2022 session on Jan. 10.
Tuesday
Purdue University releases the monthly Ag Economy Barometer, a gauge of the sector’s health.
USDA releases monthly State Stories, with weather and crop summaries for 44 states and the New England region. The report is issued on or near the first Tuesday of the month in January, February and March.
The National Cotton Council holds the annual Beltwide Conference, through Jan. 6, San Antonio.
Wednesday
The National Potato Council holds Potato Expo 2022, through Thursday, Anaheim, California.
Thursday
The House will hold “an observance of reflection, remembrance and recommitment … to mark one year since the January 6th assault on the Capitol,” says Speaker Nancy Pelosi, noon ET.
Friday
American Farm Bureau Federation holds annual convention, through Jan. 12, Atlanta.
Purdue University holds Top Farmer Conference 2022 online, 10 a.m. ET.
Saturday
State of Pennsylvania holds the 106th Pennsylvania Farm Show, “the largest indoor agricultural exposition under one roof in the nation,” through Jan. 15, Harrisburg, Pennsylvania.nd U.S. and Canadian Hogs reports, 3 p.m. ET.
