Food insecurity rises 10 percent in low and middle income countries
Nearly one-third of the people in 77 low- and middle-income countries are food insecure, meaning they lack consistent access to enough food for a healthy and active lifestyle, said an annual USDA report. The 9.8-percent increase to 1.3 billion people this year included 41.7 million affected by higher food, fuel and fertilizer costs attributed to Russia’s invasion of Ukraine.
Bird flu found in 40th state this year
Scientists confirmed a backyard flock of poultry in northwestern Tennessee was infected with highly pathogenic avian influenza (HPAI), part of a resurgence of the disease in the central states. Some 3.37 million birds in domestic flocks have died of bird flu so far this month; nationwide losses during September will be the largest since April.
TODAY’S QUICK HITS
Economics nix California cows: California is the largest milk-producing state in the nation, but the state is down to 1,200 dairy farms, compared to 2,100 in 2001, because of the rising cost of feed and real estate. (Los Angeles Times)
Few details for hunger summit: The one-day White House Conference on Hunger, Nutrition and Health will meet at the Reagan Building near the national Mall on Sept. 28, but there are few details beyond its goal to “end hunger and increase healthy eating and physical exercise by 2030.” (Food Fix)
Climate-smart at $100 an acre: USDA’s climate-smart grants include $80 million for a three-year pilot in four states of paying producers $100 an acre or animal unit for carbon sequestration, greenhouse gas reduction and improved water and soil quality. (RIPE)
Less beef, more chicken: Consumers can expect a larger supply of pork, broiler meat and turkey but less beef in 2023 as per-capita consumption of meat dips slightly, to 224.9 pounds from 225.2 pounds this year. (Economic Research Service)
Globe-trotting migratory birds: A new online atlas draws on scientific and community data to illustrate the routes of roughly 450 species, including the bay-breasted warbler that flies 4,000 miles from Canada to South America. (Associated Press)
ON THE CALENDAR
Monday
This is National Farm Safety and Health Week under a proclamation signed by President Biden. “This week, we redouble our efforts to protect the health and safety of farmers, farmworkers, and ranchers, and we celebrate the immense contributions they have made and continue to make to our nation,” says the proclamation.
Climate Group hosts Climate Week NYC, in conjunction with the UN General Assembly and the City of New York, through Sunday, to create “an ambitious platform for our mission to drive climate action. Fast.”; New York City.
USDA releases weekly Crop Progress report, 4 p.m. ET.
Tuesday
House Agriculture Committee hearing, “A 2022 review of the farm bill: Stakeholder perspectives on Title II conservation programs,” 10 a.m. ET, 1300 Longworth.
Senate Banking Committee hearing, “Examining the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s Rural Housing Service,” 2:30 p.m. ET, 538 Dirksen.
House Agriculture subcommittee hearing: “Assessing crypto as a tool for financial inclusion,” 2 p.m. ET, 1300 Longworth.
Wednesday
House Rules Committee hearing, “Right to repair: Legislative and budgetary solutions to unfair restrictions on repair,” 10 a.m. ET, H-313, The Capitol.
USDA Equity Commission holds a third public meeting, through Thursday, Washington.
Thursday
The fall equinox, marking the start of autumn.
Senate Agriculture Committee votes on nominations of Alexis Taylor for agriculture undersecretary for trade, Jose Esteban for agriculture undersecretary for food safety, and Vincent Logan to serve on the Farm Credit Administration board, 10 a.m. ET. 215 Dirksen.
Farmdoc webinar, “Farmland Prices in a Most Interesting Time,” noon ET.
USDA hosts a webinar on its annual International Food Security Assessment report, 1 p.m. ET.
International Grains Council releases monthly Grain Market Report, London.
USDA releases monthly Cold Storage report, 3 p.m. ET.
Friday
USDA releases monthly Food Price Outlook, 9 a.m. ET. At present, food prices are forecast to rise an average of 9 percent this year compared to 2021.
USDA releases monthly Cattle on Feed and annual Turkeys Raised reports, 3 p.m. ET. Saturday
Farm Aid holds its annual all-day music festival, Raleigh, North Carolina.
