For U.S., regional ag imports are ‘a story about Mexico’
Agricultural imports from Latin America and the Caribbean grew at a compound annual growth rate of 6.9 percent in the 12 years following the Great Recession, much faster than the global rate of 5.6 percent, says the USDA in a new report: “Primarily, this import growth was a story about Mexico.”
USDA hearing could lead to milk-price overhaul
Responding to dairy industry petitions, the USDA said it would open a hearing on Aug. 23 on possible changes to the complex Federal Milk Marketing Order system that sets the price farmers get for fresh milk. The hearing in the Indianapolis suburb of Carmel, Indiana—which could run for weeks—could lead to the first comprehensive overhaul of milk marketing orders since 2000.
TODAY’S QUICK HITS
Vegan diets do less harm: A study of 55,000 Britons’ diets showed vegans had 25 percent of the impacts of “high meat-eaters” for greenhouse gas emissions, 27 percent of the impacts for water pollution, 46 percent for water use, and 34 percent for biodiversity. (Nature Food)
Fewest beef cows ever: The U.S. cattle herd contains the smallest number of beef cows — 29.4 million — since the USDA began keeping records in 1971, suggesting that beef prices will remain high because fewer cows mean fewer slaughter calves. (USDA)
India limits rice exports: Analysts said world rice prices, already elevated, were likely to climb further in response to India’s decision, intended to bring down high domestic food prices, to halt shipments of non-basmati white rice, which make up a quarter of its international sales. (CNBC)
Farm Belt drought eases: Seasonal temperatures and rainfall are expected to bring “widespread drought improvement and removal across the central United States” during August, September, and October, said the U.S. Seasonal Drought Outlook. (National Weather Service)
Extend organic dairy signup: The USDA extended to Aug. 11 the signup period for producers to apply for a share of the $104 million in the Organic Dairy Marketing Assistance Program to offset the effects of volatile market prices and high production costs. (USDA)
ON THE CALENDAR
Monday
United Nations holds Food Systems Summit+2 Stocktaking Moment, through Wednesday, to review progress on commitments made in 2021 to transform the agrifood system to increase production and reduce the environmental impact, Rome. UN Secretary General António Guterres and Italian prime minister Giorgia Meloni will open the meeting, with 160 nations as participants. Agriculture Undersecretary Jenny Moffitt leads the U.S. delegation.
Agricultural and Applied Economics Association holds its annual meeting, through July 25, Washington.
National Cattlemen’s Beef Association holds Summer Business Meeting, through Wednesday, San Diego.
USDA releases weekly Crop Progress report, 4 p.m. ET.
Tuesday
Deputy Agriculture Secretary Xochitl Torres Small announces USDA funding to expand access to rural healthcare during a visit to Charlottesville, Virginia.
USDA releases monthly Food Price Outlook, 9 a.m. ET. At present, food inflation is forecast at 6 percent for this year, compared to 9.9 percent in 2020 and the long-term average of 2.8 percent annually.
USDA releases monthly Cold Storage report, 3 p.m. ET.
Wednesday
Senate Budget Committee hearing, “Beyond the breaking point: The fiscal consequences of climate change on infrastructure,” 9:40 a.m. ET, 608 Dirksen.
Senate Committee on Indian Affairs oversight hearing on “Native priorities for the 2023 farm bill reauthorization,” 2:30 p.m. ET, 628 Dirksen.
The House may vote on the fiscal 2024 USDA-FDA funding bill, HR 4368, as early as Wednesday, said House Majority Leader Steve Scalise in a tentative schedule for this week. The House Rules Committee was scheduled to meet on Tuesday to discuss terms of debate for legislation due on the floor this week; the USDA-FDA bill was not on the committee agenda as of Sunday.
U.S. Grains Council holds Board of Delegates meeting, through Friday, Calgary, Canada.
Thursday
House Oversight subcommittee hearing, “Hemp in the modern world: The years-long wait for FDA action,” 2:30 p.m. ET, 2247 Rayburn.
Friday
USDA releases annual Farm Production Expenditures and monthly Agricultural Prices reports, 3 p.m. ET.
Saturday
The American Agricultural Editors Association, SIIA AM&P Network Ag Media Council, and the Livestock Publications Council hold the Agricultural Media Summit, “the largest annual conference of agricultural communicators in the United States,” through Aug. 2, Palm Springs.
Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation, a regional economic forum with 21 members, holds Third Senior Officials’ Meetings, through Aug. 6, Seattle.
