Derecho blows away expectations of a record-setting U.S. corn crop
The windstorm that blasted across Iowa — “basically a 40 mile-wide tornado,” in the words of Gov. Kim Reynolds — wiped out 9 percent of the crop in the nation’s No. 1 corn state and obliterated the chances for a record-large corn harvest nationwide, said the USDA. Farmers will see notably higher season-average prices for the smaller, but still ample, crop that remains in the field.
Grocery prices fall for second month in a row
Lower prices for meat, poultry, fish and eggs were the driving factor for a slight decline in grocery prices during August, the second month in a row that supermarket prices were down, said the monthly Consumer Price Index. Despite the decreases, food inflation ran at 4.6 percent in the past 12 months, rising far more rapidly than the overall U.S. rate of 1.3 percent.
TODAY’S QUICK HITS
USDA seeks more hemp comments: For the second time, the Agricultural Marketing Service re-opened the public comment period for its industrial hemp regulations, this time asking for comment by Oct. 8 on a dozen topics including disposal and remediation of plants containing too much THC, whether to allow a longer harvest window after samples are gathered for testing and whether to allow more laboratories to conduct THC tests. (USDA)
Cheese rule blocks home delivery of food aid: Tens of thousands of low-income elderly Californians no longer receive home delivery of food through the USDA’s Commodity Supplemental Food Program, allowed for three months under a waiver, because of a century-old federal policy to include cheese in the packages. (Los Angeles Times)
U.S. offers $530 million in seafood aid: The Trump administration said it would provide up to $530 million in a newly created Seafood Trade Relief Program “to support the U.S. seafood industry and fishermen impacted by retaliatory tariffs from foreign governments.” (USDA)
More food waste during pandemic: The coronavirus disrupted the food supply chain and increased food waste, particularly for producers who sold crops to restaurants and other segments of the food service industry. (farmdoc Daily)
EPA won’t stick to ‘pollution diet,’ says lawsuit: The EPA is allowing Pennsylvania and New York State to miss an approaching deadline to reduce nutrient and sediment pollution flowing into the Chesapeake Bay, says a lawsuit filed by the Chesapeake Bay Foundation and the Maryland Watermen’s Association; Maryland, Virginia and D.C. say they have filed a similar lawsuit. (Associated Press)
ON THE CALENDAR
Monday
National Farmers Union holds annual Fall Legislative Fly-In online, with Agriculture Secretary Sonny Perdue invited to appear as the lead speaker, 1 p.m. ET. The Fly-In runs through Friday. House Speaker Nancy Pelosi and House Agriculture chairman Collin Peterson are invited to speak on Tuesday.
Two senior Democrats on the Senate Agriculture Committee release GAO report on trade-war payments to farmers through USDA’s Market Facilitation Program (MFP), 1:30 p.m. ET. The administration paid $23.5 billion to farmers and ranchers to mitigate the impact of the Sino-U.S. trade war on crops and livestock produced in 2018 and 2019. Michigan Sen. Debbie Stabenow was among critics who questioned the fairness of MFP.
The Chicago Farmers hosts webinar on farmland rental and price markets with economist Gary Schnitkey of the University of Illinois as speaker, 1 p.m. ET.
National Confectioners Association holds 2020 Washington Forum@Home, through Oct. 8, “a series of video conferences and digital programs for members and qualified retailers.”
USDA issues weekly Crop Progress report, 4 p.m. ET.
Tuesday
Census Bureau releases annual report on U.S. income levels, poverty rate and health insurance coverage during 2019, 10 a.m. ET. A year ago, Census said the rural poverty rate was 14.7 percent, back to pre-recession levels. As usual, the U.S. poverty rate, at 11.8 percent, was lower than the rural rate. One in seven Americans lives outside of metropolitan areas.
Opening day of “world’s largest virtual ethanol event,” the International Fuel Ethanol Workshop and Expo, through Thursday.
USDA releases monthly Oil Crops Outlook and Cotton and Wool Outlook, noon ET.
USDA releases monthly Feed Outlook, Rice Outlook and Wheat Outlook, 3 p.m. ET.
Wednesday
Senate Environment and Public Works Committee hearing, “Stakeholder reactions: The Navigable Waters Protection Rule under the Clean Waters Act,” 10 a.m. ET, 106 Dirksen.
Thursday
National Pork Producers Council holds briefing on its fall legislative action conference; speakers include NPPC president Howard Roth, president-elect Jen Sorenson and vice president Terry Wolters, 2 p.m. ET.
USDA releases Livestock, Dairy and Poultry Outlook, noon ET.
USDA releases monthly Sugar and Sweeteners Outlook, 3 p.m. ET.
