Farm bill debate will continue into ‘the meat’ of 2024 election
The ongoing congressional squabbling over federal spending levels “means that the farm bill debate is going to be pushed into the meat of a general election year,” when compromise is difficult to achieve, said Purdue associate professor Roman Keeney.
TODAY’S QUICK HITS
Throwing soup at Mona Lisa: Two environmental protesters, calling for “healthy and sustainable food,” threw pumpkin soup at the Mona Lisa; the 500-year-old painting, behind protective glass, was not damaged. (BBC)
States vs. food additives: A bill filed in the Illinois legislature would ban five food additives, one more than California has banned. Three other states are considering action on the additives. (Food Fix)
Free school meals nixed: On an 8-7 vote, the South Dakota House Education Committee defeated a bill to provide free meals to public school students from low-income households who qualify for reduced-price meals. (South Dakota Searchlight)
Hawaiian coffee crop plunges: The Hawaiian coffee crop is forecast at 16.9 million pounds this season, down 26 percent from 2022-23 and the second steep decline in two years; the coffee leaf rust fungus has affected production. (USDA)
ON THE CALENDAR
Monday
American Enterprise Institute holds a panel discussion, “U.S. international trade policy and the agricultural sector in 2024 and beyond,” 1 p.m. ET.
American Seed Trade Association holds 63rd Vegetable and Flower Seed Conference, through Tuesday, Monterey, California.
Farm Credit Council holds an annual meeting, through Tuesday, Washington.
Tuesday
USDA releases State Stories, noon ET. Issued on or near the first Tuesday of each month from December through March, State Stories provides “an assessment of winter weather on crops, livestock, fruit trees; consideration for moisture, snow cover, temperatures, and crop condition; and the effect of weather, insects, diseases, etc., on crops and livestock.”
Wednesday
FDA commissioner Robert Califf speaks during a webinar organized by Alliance for a Stronger FDA, 2 p.m. ET.
Crop Insurance and Reinsurance Bureau holds its 60th annual meeting, through Friday, Scottsdale, Arizona.
The National Cattlemen’s Beef Association holds CattleCon, through Saturday, Orlando, Florida.
USDA releases the annual Sheep and Goats report, the semi-annual Cattle inventory report, and the monthly Agricultural Prices report, 3 p.m. ET.
Friday
Groundhog Day. By folklore, if the groundhog sees its shadow today, it means six more weeks of winter. If it doesn’t see its shadow, it’s only six weeks until spring. The U.S. epicenter of Groundhog Day is Gobbler’s Knob in Punxsutawney, Pennsylvania, with a celebration dating from 1887. Somewhere, a cable TV channel is running the comedy movie “Groundhog Day” today, most appropriately as an all-day marathon.
The UN Food and Agriculture Organization releases monthly Food Price Index, Rome.
Saturday
South Carolina, President Biden’s breakthrough state in 2020, holds the first Democratic presidential primary in the nation. The state’s Republican primary is Feb. 24.
