Deal is close to extend the current farm bill one year
The “four corners” of farm bill negotiations — the Democratic and Republican leaders of the Senate and House Agriculture committees — said on Sunday that they are “committed to working together to get it done next year.” The farm bill leaders expressed solidarity following the release of a House Republican proposal to fund USDA operations through Jan. 19 and to extend the lifespan of the 2018 farm law by one year.
Ag trade deficit is a record, but smaller than expected
The United States ran a record agricultural trade deficit of $16.6 billion in the fiscal year that ended on Sept. 30, according to a USDA database. The deficit was smaller than the forecast of $19 billion but fiscal 2023 was the third deficit in the last five years.
U.S. corn crop is the largest ever
Farmers are harvesting the largest U.S. corn crop ever grown, 15.2 billion bushels, and only the third crop on record to top 15 billion bushels, said the Agriculture Department. Corn production is up worldwide so the season-average price paid to U.S. growers will be 10 cents a bushel lower than previously forecast, said the USDA.
TODAY’S QUICK HITS
Big HPAI outbreak in Iowa: Some 1.2 million egg-laying hens will be culled following discovery of highly pathogenic avian influenza on an egg farm in Taylor County in southwestern Iowa. (Iowa Capital Dispatch)
California clinic, Mexican doctors: In the first initiative under a 2002 California state law, a clinic in the Salinas Valley has hired 24 doctors from Mexico to provide care for farmworkers in a primarily Spanish-speaking community. (Los Angeles Times)
Rural co-op projects: Some 112 projects sponsored by rural cooperatives will share in $1.2 billion of USDA grants and loans to spur economic development and advance equity in 36 states, announced Agriculture Secretary Tom Vilsack. (USDA)
Hottest 12 months on record: The past 12 months were the hottest on record at an average 1.32 degrees C above pre-industrial temperatures. (Nature)
Trump plans massive deportations: If former president Donald Trump wins the White House next year, he plans mass deportations of undocumented workers arrested in workplace raids that would hit major industries including agriculture, say advisers. (New York Times)
ON THE CALENDAR
Monday
Agriculture Secretary Tom Vilsack speaks on federal spending to improve the economy in rural Washington State, 1:15 p.m. ET, Seattle.
Alliance for a Stronger FDA holds a webinar with Jim Jones, FDA deputy commissioner for human foods, 1 p.m. ET.
The National Farmers Union holds its annual Women’s Conference, through Tuesday, Albuquerque, New Mexico.
Joint annual meeting of the National Dairy Board, National Milk Producers Federation, and United Dairy Industry Association, through Wednesday, Orlando.
Ohio State University holds annual Agricultural Outlook and Policy Conference, 8 a.m. ET, Columbus, Ohio.
Dan Lobbes of the Conservation Foundation speaks on conservation easements at luncheon meeting of The Chicago Farmers, 12:30 p.m. ET, Chicago.
USDA releases weekly Crop Progress report, 4 p.m. ET.
Tuesday
Senate Agriculture Committee hearing, “Innovation in American agriculture: Leveraging technology and artificial intelligence,” 10 a.m. ET, 328A Russell. Witnesses include Jahmy Hindman, chief technology officer at Deere & Co. For details, click here.
The Labor Department releases monthly Consumer Price Index report, 8:30 a.m. ET.
Wednesday
USDA releases annual Rural America at a Glance report, 3 p.m. ET.
President Biden and Chinese president Xi Jinping meet on the sidelines of the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation meeting, San Francisco.
Center for Food as Medicine and Hunter College NYC Food Policy Center host online “Food as medicine summit: Treating disease,” 9:30 a.m. ET.
The American Farm Bureau Federation releases the results of its informal survey of Thanksgiving meal costs.
The National Association of Farm Broadcasters holds 80th annual convention, through Friday, Kansas City.
Thursday
USDA holds a one-hour webinar on Rural America at a Glance report released on Wednesday. To register for the webinar, click here.
International Grains Council releases Grains Market Report, London.
USDA releases monthly Livestock, Dairy, and Poultry Outlook, 3 p.m. ET.
Friday
USDA releases monthly Cattle on Feed report, 3 p.m. ET.
