Farm and ethanol groups ask Trump to intervene on RFS waivers
President Trump, who campaigned for election as a friend of corn ethanol, ought to stop the EPA from issuing “hardship” waivers that free refineries from complying with the so-called ethanol mandate, said ethanol and farm groups. The EPA approved 31 waivers for small-volume refineries on Friday without comment.
Trump ambivalent on trade talks with China next month
The United States might cancel trade talks with China scheduled for early September, said President Trump as he left Washington for the weekend.
In a boost for Bayer, U.S. to block warning labels on glyphosate
Chiding California regulators for “misleading labeling requirements,” the EPA told herbicide makers to remove cancer warnings from containers of glyphosate, the most widely used weedkiller in the world, in a step that would benefit seed and ag chemical giant Bayer.
The Future of Food Summit – EatingWell & IFIC
September 18, 2019 – New York City
For the first time ever, EatingWell and the International Food Information Council Foundation are bringing together thought leaders across academia, agriculture, manufacturing, technology, retail and the media to discuss the Future of Food and how our food system needs to change for the better. Taking place on September 18 in NYC, the summit will feature thought-provoking panel discussions, including a keynote address by Ali Bouzari, Co-Founder of Pilot R&D and Render. For a full line-up of panel topics and speakers and to buy tickets, visit EatingWellIFICSummit.com. #futureoffood
TODAY’S QUICK HITS
USDA eases move to Kansas City (AFGE): After union negotiations, the USDA agreed to an incentive payment equal to one month’s salary for ERS and NIFA employees who agree to relocate to Kansas City from Washington; to give employees until Sept. 27 to decide whether to move; and to allow telework through at least Dec. 30. The USDA initially set Sept. 30 as the deadline for moving the agencies from Washington.
Few companies charged for undocumented immigrant labor (Washington Post): The Trump administration has arrested hundreds of undocumented immigrants but is far less aggressive in pursuing charges against companies that employ them, with one database finding five such cases since President Trump took office.
Workers to get pay at fire-hit plant (Reuters): Tyson Foods said it would provide “some guaranteed pay” to 3,800 workers while it repairs significant damage from a fire at the meat processing plant in Kansas.
Uproar over rodenticide in Czech Republic (Czech Radio): The Czech’s Minister of Agriculture suspended approval of a highly toxic rodenticide on Czech farms after alarms about the potential effect on birds and other wild animals.
ON THE USDA CALENDAR
Monday
– USDA releases monthly Crop Production and WASDE reports, noon ET. Traders expect the smallest corn crop since the drought year of 2012 and the smallest soybean crop since 2013. Traders believe the USDA will report smaller plantings than in June and lower its estimates of yields due to wet spring weather that delayed planting. The August crop report is often called the most important crop report of the year because USDA makes its first estimates of the fall harvest.
– Agriculture Secretary Sonny Perdue joins Rep Glenn Thompson to discuss the new dairy subsidy program at an Ag Dairy Summit, 8 a.m. ET, Mount Aloysius College, Cresson, Pa.
– USDA releases weekly Crop Progress report, 4 p.m. ET.
– National Industrial Hemp Council holds 2019 Hemp Business Summit, through Tuesday, Portland, Oregon.
Wednesday
– USDA holds the second, and last, of its hearing sessions to gather information for use in implementing the Heir’s Property Relending Program that was created in the 2018 farm bill, Farm Service Agency headquarters, Washington. Written comments will be accepted until Aug 31.
– American Coalition for Ethanol holds annual conference, through Friday, Omaha, Neb.
– USDA releases monthly Oil Crops Outlook and Cotton and Wool Outlook, noon ET.
– USDA releases monthly Rice Outlook, Feed Outlook and Wheat Outlook, 3 p.m. ET.
Friday
– USDA releases monthly Livestock, Dairy and Poultry Outlook, noon ET.
– USDA releases biennial Farm Computer Usage and Ownership report and monthly Sugar and Sweeteners Outlook, 3 p.m. ET. Last year, USDA said 73 percent of farms had a computer access and 47 percent used a computer for farm business.
Saturday
– World Honey Bee Day, created by apiarists to honor bees and beekeeping.
