House conservatives oppose higher subsidies in new farm bill
Half a dozen House Republicans pushed back on Wednesday against a drive by farm groups for higher reference prices in the new farm bill, while analysts said that an expansion of federally subsidized crop insurance could cost nearly $600 million a year. Farm groups say that despite high farm income, a stronger safety net is needed because of increased production costs.
World’s first ethanol-to-SAF facility opens
Sustainable fuels producer LanzaJet officially opened the first ethanol-to-sustainable aviation fuel (SAF) refinery in the world in southeastern Georgia on Wednesday. The Freedom Pines Fuels plant will be able to produce 10 million gallons of SAF and renewable diesel annually, said an aviation news site.
TODAY’S QUICK HITS
Draining aquifers: Groundwater supplies are dwindling in aquifers around the world, said a report in the journal Nature, with declines being the most rapid in drier regions with extensive agricultural activity. (InsideClimate News)
Armstrong runs for governor: Instead of seeking re-election to the House, North Dakota Rep. Kelly Armstrong, a Republican, said he will run for governor this year. (Roll Call)
Urban farms’ footprint: Although fruits and vegetables grown on urban farms have an average carbon footprint six times larger than conventionally grown produce, that impact can be reduced through such practices as composting and cultivating crops usually grown in greenhouses or transported by air. (University of Michigan)
Colorado raw milk bill: A bill in the Colorado Senate would allow dairies to sell raw milk directly to consumers, joining the neighboring states of Utah, Arizona, and New Mexico in the practice. (Food Safety News)
Climate and Amazon drought: Rising temperatures caused by climate change “made the severe drought affecting the Amazon basin 30 times more likely,” far outweighing the impact of the ongoing El Niño weather pattern, say scientists. (Axios)
