H5N1 virus particles found in meat from dairy cow
Meat from a dairy cow sent to slaughter contained particles of the H5N1 avian influenza virus — the first such finding since the virus jumped to cattle from birds a few months ago, said the Agriculture Department. The USDA also confirmed infections in five additional herds — three in South Dakota and two in Colorado — raising the U.S. total to 63 herds in nine states.
Solar and wind farms generate controversy but occupy a sliver of rural land
Local governments have imposed at least 2,600 restrictions on wind and solar power projects in their jurisdictions, with local opposition seeming to rise with the size of the project, said a USDA report on wind and solar development in rural areas. Wind and solar projects had a combined footprint of 423,974 acres in 2020, or 0.05 percent of the nation’s 870 million acres of farmland, said the four economists who wrote the report.
AFR LATEST
The U.S.-Mexico corn fight spotlights the health risks of glyphosate
If GM corn and glyphosate pose health risks to humans, as suggested by a growing body of research, then those risks are magnified in Mexico, where the national diet revolves around minimally processed white corn, especially in the form of its iconic flatbread, the tortilla. Cornmeal accounts for more than 60 percent of the average Mexican’s daily calories and protein, which is roughly 10 times the U.S. average and puts Mexicans at 10 times the risk.
TODAY’S QUICK HITS
Tight supplies boost beef: Beef and veal prices, which have risen faster than all other food categories in the past year due to tight supplies and strong demand, are forecast to rise by 4 percent at retail this year, said the monthly Food Price Outlook report. (USDA)
Corn Belt temperatures stable: A review of temperatures and precipitation during the crucial growing months in the Corn Belt found “very little evidence of significant upward or downward trend” since 1895. (farmdoc daily)
Mexican cartels target tortillas: Criminal cartels are expanding their operations to include extorting the storefront shops that make tortillas, says a trade group. (Washington Post)
Lower global grain stocks: Led by declines in projected wheat and corn supplies, global grain stocks will dip to a 10-year low of 580 million metric tons at the end of the 2024-25 trade year, said the Grain Market Report. (International Grains Council.)
ON THE CALENDAR
Tuesday
USDA releases weekly Crop Progress report, 4 p.m. ET.
Wednesday
USDA releases quarterly Outlook for U.S. Agricultural Trade report, 3 p.m. ET. At present, U.S. food and ag exports are forecast at $170.5 billion and imports at $201 billion, for a trade deficit of $30.5 billion, the largest ever. Mexico was challenging China as the largest export customer, with purchases only $300 million smaller than China’s.
Ducks Unlimited holds national convention, through Saturday, San Diego.
North American Millers Association and USDA hold 65th annual Corn Dry Milling Conference, through Thursday, Peoria, Illinois.
Thursday
National Cattlemen’s Beef Association holds a week-long young cattlemen’s conference with events in Colorado, Nebraska, Ohio, and the District of Columbia, through June 6.
FDA holds webinar “on basic mushroom growing, harvesting, holding, and packing activities under the Produce Safety Rule” of 2016. The produce rule established the FDA’s first science-based standards for the production of fruits and vegetables for human consumption.
The UN Food and Agriculture Organization holds its first-ever International Day of Potato to celebrate the cultural and culinary importance of the potato, which originated in the Andes Mountains of South America.
Friday
USDA releases monthly Agricultural Prices report, 3 p.m. ET.