Grocery prices rise 11.9 percent in a year, worst increase since 1979
Led by meat, grocery prices are rising rapidly, up 11.9 percent in the past 12 months — even faster than the overall U.S. inflation rate of 8.6 percent, said the government in the Consumer Price Index report. “We’re going to live with this inflation for a while,” said President Biden over the weekend, despite administration efforts to reduce prices.
As heat wave scorches India, global wheat outlook tightens
The world wheat crop is trending downward, due to a brutal heat wave in India and dry weather in Spain and France, said the Agriculture Department in its monthly WASDE report. Although Russia is expected to sharply increase its exports, more than 12 million tonnes of wheat would be liquidated from global stockpiles over the next year in the face of unrelenting demand for food.
TODAY’S QUICK HITS
HPAI toll nears 40 million: With the discovery of bird flu in two Colorado flocks totaling 1.98 million chickens, U.S. losses to highly pathogenic avian influenza in domestic flocks rose to 39.92 million birds since early February. (USDA)
Burning crops amid drought: Short of water, farmers in California’s Central Valley increasingly are uprooting vineyards and orchards, and setting the brush on fire because it’s cheaper, although more polluting, than running it through a chipper. (Los Angeles Times)
AOC endorses Maloney challenger: New York Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez endorsed a fellow progressive Democrat, state Sen. Alessandra Biaggi, over centrist Rep. Sean Patrick Maloney, chairman of the House Democratic campaign committee and Agriculture Committee member, in the June 28 primary. (New York Times)
Smithfield closes Farmer John: Citing the rising cost of doing business in California, Smithfield Foods said it would close its Farmer John slaughterhouse and associated hog farm in suburban Los Angeles in early 2023 and may “exit its farms in Arizona and California.” (City News Service)
Farm equipment sales skid: Sales of agricultural tractors and combines during May were 14 percent below their year-ago levels, with supply chain disruptions the primary issue. (Association of Equipment Manufacturers)
ON THE CALENDAR
Monday
House Rules Committee votes on terms of debate for HR 7606, the Lower Food and Fuel Costs Act, 2 p.m. ET, H-313, The Capitol. HR 7606 would allow summertime sale of E15, create a special investigator’s office at USDA to enforce fair-play laws in meatpacking, and help farmers adopt precision agriculture technology.
Biotechnology Innovation Organization holds 2022 BIO International Convention, through Thursday, San Diego.
U.S. Cattlemen’s Association holds Washington, D.C., Fly-In, through Tuesday.
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 non-SNAP USDA nutrition programs,” 10 a.m. ET.
The House may vote as early as Tuesday on HR 7606, an omnibus bill that would allow summertime sale of E15, create a special investigator’s office at USDA to enforce fair-play laws in meatpacking, and help farmers adopt precision agriculture technology, said Majority Leader Steny Hoyer.
House Science and Technology subcommittee hearing, “What’s the forecast: A look at the future of weather research,” 10 a.m. ET, 2318 Rayburn.
Farm Action and the Open Markets Institute release a midterm review of the Biden administration’s activities to increase competition in the food system, 10 a.m. ET, Washington.
Wednesday
House Appropriations subcommittee votes on fiscal 2023 funding for USDA, FDA and related agencies, 2:30 p.m. ET, 2359 Rayburn.
House Agriculture Committee hearing, “The role of climate research in supporting agricultural resiliency,” 10 a.m. ET, 1300 Longworth.
Senate Judiciary subcommittee hearing, “Baby formula and beyond: The impact of consolidation on families and consumers,” 2:30 p.m. ET, 226 Dirksen.
Consumer Federation of America holds the annual Consumer Assembly, Washington.
Gene Seroka, Port of Los Angeles executive director, and Michael Dykes, International Dairy Foods Association chief executive, discuss online supply chain issues and cargo volumes, 1:30 p.m. ET.
Thursday
Agricultural Business Council of Kansas City luncheon with speakers from Cargill, Deere and Co., MFA Inc., Dairy Farmers of America and Kansas Ag Retailers Association on “Ag supply chain and challenges,” 12:30 p.m. ET, Kansas City.
USDA releases monthly Livestock, Dairy and Poultry Outlook, 3 p.m. ET.
Friday
The Senate Agriculture Committee holds its second hearing on the 2023 farm bill, 10 a.m. ET, Jonesboro, Arkansas.
June 20
Federal holiday observing Juneteenth, a celebration of the end of slavery, based on the date, in 1865, when news of the 1863 Emancipation Proclamation reached Galveston, Texas. Juneteenth is the newest federal holiday, signed into law by President Biden in 2021. The first national observance of Juneteenth was the following day. Inspired by local celebrations, Texas was the first state, in 1980, to designate June 19 as a state holiday. Almost all states observed Juneteenth in some format before Congress gave it federal recognition.
Sustainable Agriculture and Food Systems Funders holds 20th annual SAFSF Forum: Commitment and Accountability, Kansas City.
