U.S. heads for highest farm income in seven years
Thanks to a steady recovery, U.S. farm income this year will be the highest since 2013, the peak of the commodity boom, said the government on Wednesday. The USDA forecast net farm income, a broad measure of profits, at $96.7 billion this year, with higher crop and livestock revenue offsetting the end of two years of mammoth Trump tariff payments.
Al Gore promotes carbon markets, regenerative agriculture at D.C. conference
Agriculture can be “one of the most promising and biggest solutions to the climate crisis” if carbon sequestration and regenerative practices are implemented, former vice president Al Gore said on Wednesday at the annual Foundation for Food and Agriculture Research conference in Washington, D.C.
With beef plant, Walmart tests supply chain and consumers
Walmart entered the beef business when it opened a processing plant in Georgia that will cut and prepare steaks and roasts for sale in 500 of its stores in the U.S. Southeast. If the plant is successful, says an analyst, “it could mean Walmart takes another step up the supply chain towards the producer.”
Talks & Eats – Manhattan – Surf ‘n’ Turf: Can our seafood survive Big Ag and climate change?
As oceans warm, our major fisheries are shifting. At the same time, farm runoff is contributing to dead zones from the Gulf of Mexico to Long Island. Both of these issues – climate change and farming practices – affect the health of ocean ecosystems and, ultimately, the seafood that winds up on our plates. Join moderator and best-selling author Paul Greenberg for a stimulating discussion Feb. 10, 2020, 7:30 p.m., at Subculture in Greenwich Village. VIP reception with drinks and bites beforehand.
TODAY’S QUICK HITS
Big Chinese buy of Brazilian beans (AgriCensus):Soy processors based in China purchased at least 1 million tonnes of soybeans from Brazil this week, taking advantage of harvest-time prices that are lower than U.S. soy prices, said four market sources.
BLM may end environmental reviews (Bloomberg Environment):The Bureau of Land Management may propose eliminating a current requirement to conduct environmental impact studies of its long-term plans for millions of acres of public lands.
Cargill snags Goop (Minneapolis Star Tribune):After discovering the disease-fighting capabilities of animal supplements made from fermented ingredients, agribusiness giant Cargill has dipped a toe into the consumer market for nutritional supplements, snagging Gwyneth Paltrow’s Goop brand as a customer.
Rural hospitals ready for coronavirus (Daily Yonder): Healthcare leaders say rural hospitals are generally prepared to deal with an outbreak of the Wuhan coronavirus even though they have fewer resources than city hospitals.
Arctic apple originator is sold (The Packer):Okanagan Specialty Fruit, the grower and marketer of the genetically modified Arctic apple, was sold to TS Biotechnology Holdings, an affiliate of a venture capital firm led by the CEO of Okanagan’s previous owner.
