Dwindling funds imperil the ‘slow magic’ of agri-food research
In the early days of USDA, half of the department’s budget was directed to agricultural research and development. Nowadays, its share is 1.8 percent and the nation trails competitors that include China, said economist Philip Pardey of the University of Minnesota in calling for a hefty increase in funding.
EPA faces deadline on CAFO clean-water petition
In an appellate court order, the EPA agreed on Monday to decide by Aug. 15 if it would tighten water pollution standards for large livestock and poultry farms, a goal pursued for years by environmental groups. Only three in 10 of the largest factory farms are regulated at present, said Food and Water Watch.
TODAY’S QUICK HITS
Dreyfus ends Russia exports: As a result of increasing “grain export challenges,” Louis Dreyfus Co. will cease exports of Russian grain on July 1, joining competitors Cargill and Viterra, which announced similar measures last week. (Dreyfus)
Wheat in poor shape: Only 28 percent of the winter wheat crop is in good or excellent condition, said the first Crop Progress report of the year. In top producer Kansas, 16 percent of the crop rated good or excellent and 57 percent was poor or very poor. (USDA)
Orange juice imports surge: U.S. imports of orange juice could be the largest in at least 50 years, topping 550 million gallons this season, with Mexico and Brazil supplying the lion’s share. (USDA)
New Mexico broadband grants: In Albuquerque, Agriculture Secretary Tom Vilsack announced $40 million in grants to three projects to expand access to high-speed internet in rural New Mexico. (USDA)
Getting their goat: Shasta District Fair officials enlisted sheriff’s deputies to track down and seize a goat owned by a 9-year-old girl, enforcing their “no exceptions” rule that goats entered for auction at the California fair would be slaughtered. (Sacramento Bee)
