GOP-written farm bill is headed for House defeat, says senior Democrat
House Republicans are following the “same ideological strategy that led to the failures of farm bills on the House floor in 2014 and 2018,” said Georgia Rep. David Scott, the senior Democrat on the Agriculture Committee. Republicans plan to tamper with future SNAP benefits, a red line for Democrats.
EPA issues waiver allowing sales of E15 this summer
Pointing to war in Ukraine and conflict in the Middle East, the Biden administration announced an emergency waiver allowing summertime sale nationwide of E15, a higher blend of ethanol into gasoline than the traditional 10 percent.
TODAY’S QUICK HITS
Farmers oppose fertilizer deal: Iowa farmers asked FTC chair Lina Khan to block the proposed $3.6 billion purchase by Koch Industries of Iowa Fertilizer Co., which was created as an independent supplier with the aid of $545 million in government incentives and tax benefits. (Des Moines Register)
More HPAI in cattle: Tests found an additional three herds in Michigan, Texas, and Kansas were infected with the H5N1 avian influenza virus, raising the U.S. total to 32 herds. (APHIS)
Sudan grain output plunges: War cut the Sudanese wheat, sorghum, and millet harvest 40 percent in 2023, said the FAO in an appeal for funds to distribute seeds and tillage equipment for this year’s cereal crops. (FAO)
CWD in southwestern Virginia: State wildlife officials said that for the first time, a deer shot in Tazewell County, Virginia, was confirmed to carry chronic wasting disease, a discovery likely to alter deer management policy in the region. (WJHL-TV)
ON THE CALENDAR
Monday
Earth Day, originally envisioned by Wisconsin Sen. Gaylord Nelson in 1970 as a nationwide “teach-in” on the environment, is marked for the 54th year. It became a worldwide observance in 1990. This year’s theme is “Planet vs. Plastics.” The organization Earthday.org describes itself as “the world’s largest recruiter to the environmental movement,” with 150,000 partners in 192 countries.
Agriculture Undersecretary Alexis Taylor leads an agricultural trade mission to New Delhi, through Thursday.
USDA releases weekly Crop Progress report, 4 p.m. ET.
Tuesday
National CACFP Sponsors Association holds National Child Nutrition Conference, “bringing together professionals from child care centers, home providers, sponsoring organizations, school districts, afterschool programs, Head Start programs, food banks, tribal nations, and state agencies,” through Thursday, Orlando, Florida.
National Organic Standards Board holds first to two webinars for public comment ahead of its spring meeting next week in Milwaukee, 10 a.m. ET. The second webinar is scheduled for Thursday.
USDA releases annual Poultry Production and Value report, 3 p.m. ET.
Wednesday
Tufts University School of Nutrition hosts the second annual Food is Medicine national summit, through Thursday, Boston.
USDA releases monthly Cold Storage report and annual Livestock Slaughter report, 3 p.m. ET.
Thursday
The School Nutrition Association holds the annual National Leadership Conference, through Saturday, Seattle.
USDA releases monthly Food Price Outlook, 9 a.m. ET. At present, grocery prices are forecast to fall 0.4 percent this year, the first annual decline in grocery prices since 2017.
Friday
USDA releases Dairy Products Annual report, 3 p.m. ET.
