House panel approves $66 billion ag bill; change in ‘stepped-up basis’ is abandoned
The Democratic-controlled House Agriculture Committee approved its $66 billion part of President Biden’s $3.5 trillion “build back better” bill on a party-line vote Monday, with Chairman David Scott saying he was confident that $28 billion will be added later for land stewardship and climate mitigation by farmers. Meanwhile, House Democrats said they would not alter a tax break that helps farmers pass land from generation to generation.
Conversion of grasslands accelerates in Great Plains
After slowing with the collapse of the commodity boom nearly a decade ago, the conversion of grassland to row crops is accelerating in the Great Plains of the United States and Canada, said the World Wildlife Fund.
Long appointed FNS administrator
The Biden administration appointed Cindy Long as administrator of the Food and Nutrition Service on Monday, a position she has held on an acting basis since early January.
Today’s Quick Hits
Trevino for ag negotiator: President Biden nominated Elaine Trevino, president of the Almond Alliance of California, to serve as chief agricultural negotiator in the office of the U.S. trade representative. (White House)
Biden on fires: The ever-longer wildfire season is proof the nation cannot ignore climate change, said President Biden during a tour of the National Interagency Fire Center in Boise, Idaho. (Associated Press)
Ida swamps exports: The volume of corn certified for export last week was the smallest in more than eight years and the soybean volume was the smallest in seven years because of damage to Gulf Coast elevators from Hurricane Ida. (Reuters)
Fire at JBS plant: The meat processor told employees not to come to work on Monday at its plant in Grand Island, Nebraska, where a fire began Sunday evening in the facility’s rendering building. (Associated Press)
Diet and Covid-19: A diet based on “healthy plant-based foods” may reduce the risk of contracting Covid-19 or becoming seriously ill from the virus, according to a recent study. “This association may be particularly evident among individuals living in areas with higher socioeconomic deprivation,” it said. (Harvard Gazette)
