Will Congress close the checkbook on Trump tariff payments?
A veritable footnote in the $4 trillion federal budget could become a top-line issue this week in the debate between lawmakers and the administration over government funding. House Democrats might refuse to provide money for the obscure USDA agency that has sent billions of dollars in cash to farmers and ranchers to mitigate the impact of the Sino-U.S. trade war.
China buys $67 million worth of U.S. soybeans as trade war eases
Ahead of working-level U.S.-Chinese trade talks this week, China bought $67 million worth of U.S. soybeans and said it would exempt American pork and soy from additional tariffs taking effect this month.
A close-up look at precision agriculture
Michael Behar takes a close look at precision agriculture — cutting-edge tools like drones, satellite imagery and artificial intelligence that help farmers keep careful watch over their crops. In addition to improving yields, Behar shows how the technology also allows farmers to reduce water and chemical use.
TODAY’S QUICK HITS
Both sides hold ground on ethanol (DTN/Progressive Farmer): Neither ethanol makers nor the oil industry was making concessions during ethanol negotiations refereed by the White House, with the ethanol industry saying the administration has to offer more than an increase in the ethanol mandate to offset EPA waivers that free refineries from having to comply with the RFS.
Insecticide causes weight loss in songbirds (National Geographic): North American songbirds that eat the equivalent of one or two seeds treated with an neonicotinoid insecticide suffered immediate weight loss, with potential harm to survival or reproduction, say Canadian scientists.
Amazonian deforestation worsens (InsideClimate News): Agricultural expansion and demand for beef, palm oil and soybeans are the driving reasons that forest in the Amazon is being cleared at an alarming rate, says a World Resources Institute report.
Europe rebounds in wheat production (USDA): The EU is forecast to reap 151 million tonnes of wheat this year, up 10 percent from last year’s poor harvest; the EU crop will nudge aside the United States and be second to Russia as the world’s largest exporter of the food grain.
ON THE CALENDAR
Monday
– National Farm Safety Week, through Saturday, including webinars on safety topics.
– United Fresh Produce Association holds Washington Conference, through Wednesday, Washington.
– USDA releases Oil Crops Outlook and Cotton and Wool Outlook reports, noon Et.
– USDA releases monthly Wheat Outlook, Rice Outlook and Feed Outlook reports, 3 p.m. ET.
– USDA releases weekly Crop Progress report, 4 p.m. ET.
Tuesday
– House Rules Committee considers resolution setting terms of debate for short-term funding bill for government, including USDA and FDA, 5 p.m. ET, H-313, The Capitol.
-Senate Appropriations subcommittee votes on USDA-FDA funding bill for fiscal 2020, beginning on Oct. 1, 3 p.m. ET, 192 Dirksen.
Wednesday
– The House is scheduled to begin debate on a short-term funding bill for the government, including USDA, says Majority Leader Steny Hoyer.
– USDA releases monthly Livestock, Dairy and Poultry Outlook, noon ET.
– USDA releases monthly Sugar and Sweeteners Outlook, 3 p.m. ET.
Thursday
– Two House Agriculture subcommittees hold joint hearing, “To review the implementation of federal farm and disaster programs,” 10 a.m. ET, 1300 Longworth.
– Senate Appropriations Committee votes on three funding bills for fiscal 2020, including the USDA-FDA bill, 10:30 a.m. ET, 106 Dirksen.
– House Appropriations subcommittee hearing, “Marine debris: Impacts on ecosystems and species,” 10:30 a.m. ET
– American Society of Agronomy holds webinar on “Reducing the impacts of agricultural nutrients on water quality acres a changing landscape,” an issue paper by the Council for Agricultural Science and Technology, noon ET.
Friday
– Prime Minister Scott Morrison of Australia meets President Trump on an “official visit” to the United States, including a state dinner at the White House. A joint news conference is scheduled for 11:45 a.m. ET. “The visit will celebrate our two countries’ close friendship and shared history, and reaffirm our common vision for global peace, security and prosperity,” says the White House.
– Aquaponics Association holds annual conference with theme “Putting out fruits,” through Sunday, Frankfort, Kentucky.
– Deadline to enroll in Dairy Margin Coverage subsidy program for 2019 production.
– USDA releases monthly Cattle on Feed report, 3 p.m. ET.
Saturday
– Farm Aid annual music and food festival, East Troy, Wisconsin.
