Democratic platform goal: Net-zero agricultural emissions by 2050
The U.S. farm sector would be the first in the world to achieve net-zero greenhouse gas emissions by 2050 with the assistance of projects such as the USDA’s climate-smart agriculture initiatives, said the Democratic Party platform released on Monday. Delegates to the party’s national convention in Chicago were scheduled to vote on the platform on Tuesday.
Grasslands share of Conservation Reserve grows larger
An ever-larger share of land enrolled in the Conservation Reserve will be devoted to grasslands — nearly 4 of every 10 acres — with the results of this year’s signup for the long-term land stewardship program, said the Agriculture Department on Monday. With the new enrollments, the Conservation Reserve is near the 27 million-acre limit set by the 2018 farm law.
TODAY’S QUICK HITS
Tank test finds H5N1: Colorado’s newest case of the H5N1 avian flu virus in a dairy herd was detected through mandatory weekly testing of milk in bulk tanks; Colorado is home to 64 of the 192 herds that have bird flu. (Colorado Agriculture Department)
Canadian rail shutdown looms: The two major Canadian railroads said they will lock out unionized workers on Thursday; the Teamsters union said it would go on strike barring last minute contract negotiations.
Absentee landowners in Illinois: Nearly 60 percent of farmland in Illinois is owned by someone who is not the operator. The largest absentee landowner is the Mormon church, with 54,000 acres, says a land expert. (Farm Progress)
Last year’s crops: With commodity prices in a slump, a majority of farmers in an AgWeb straw poll said they did not plan to sell corn or soybeans left over from the 2023 harvest before harvesting this year’s crops. (Farm Journal)
