Key lawmaker proposes 60-percent tax on land purchases by U.S. adversaries
The United States would block foreign adversaries from snatching up agricultural land by putting a 60-percent excise tax on purchases by people and companies from China, Russia, Iran, North Korea, Cuba, and Venezuela under a bill sponsored by the chairman of the House’s tax-writing committee.
Corn and soy join wheat in U.S. export retreat
Competition from South America will crimp U.S. corn and soybean exports over the summer, according to a forecast by the Agriculture Department in its monthly WASDE report.
TODAY’S QUICK HITS
SNAP online in 50 states: Alaska became the final state to allow online grocery purchase by SNAP recipients, four years after the service began as a pilot project in New York. (USDA)
Land access legislation: Young and beginning farmers could tap $100 million a year in USDA funding to acquire land, secure clear titles, and receive training under a bipartisan bill filed in the House. (Budzinski)
Still dry underground: Historic winter storms filled California’s reservoirs but groundwater levels remain depleted after years of drought and heavy pumping in the Central Valley. (Los Angeles Times)
AeroFarms seeks bankruptcy protection: AeroFarms, a so-called vertical farmer that grows leafy greens indoors, filed for Chapter 11 bankruptcy protection so it can remain in business while it restructures. (NJBIZ)
Bigger biodiesel mandate: In coming days, the EPA will announce a modestly larger target for use of biomass based diesel fuel than the 2.82 billion gallons that it proposed at the end of 2022, said unnamed sources. (Bloomberg)
ON THE CALENDAR
Monday
Sustainable Agriculture and Food Systems Funders holds annual forum, through Wednesday, Washington.
International Dairy Foods Association holds IDFA Leadership Symposium, through Thursday, Ithaca, New York.
The International Grains Council holds the annual IGC Grains Conference, through Tuesday, London.
Fuel Ethanol Magazine holds International Fuel Ethanol Workshop and Expo, through Wednesday, Omaha, Nebraska.
American Peanut Council and American Peanut Shellers Association hold USA Peanut Congress, through Thursday, Amelia Island, Florida.
USDA releases weekly Crop Progress report, 4 p.m. ET.
Tuesday
The Labor Department releases monthly Consumer Price Index report, 8:30 a.m. ET.
House Agriculture subcommittee hearing, “Stakeholder perspectives on USDA’s rural development programs,” 10 a.m. ET, 1300 Longworth.
House Judiciary subcommittee hearing, “Where’s the beef? Regulatory barriers to entry and competition in meat processing,” 10 a.m. ET, 2141 Rayburn.
Agriculture Transport Coalition holds 2023 AgTC Meeting, through Friday, Tacoma, Washington.
USA Rice Millers’ Association holds 123rd annual convention, through Friday, Nassau, The Bahamas.
Wednesday
House Agriculture subcommittee hearing, “A review of Title VII: University perspectives on research and extension programs,” 10 a.m. ET. 1300 Longworth.
Senate Finance Committee hearing, “Anti-poverty and family support provisions in the tax code,” 10 a.m. ET, 215 Dirksen.
Thursday
The governors of South Dakota and Wyoming are lead witnesses at a House Natural Resources Committee hearing on HR 3397, 9 a.m. ET, 1324 Longworth. HR 3397 would require the Bureau of Land Management to withdraw a proposed rule that would elevate conservation practices as an acceptable use of federal land. Opponents say the rule would interfere with management of public lands for multiple uses.
Farm Foundation holds 90th anniversary gala, Chicago.
Mike Beam, Kansas state agriculture secretary, and Chris Chin, Missouri state agriculture director speak at an Agricultural Business Council of Kansas City luncheon on issues facing the farm and food sector in their states, 12:30 p.m. ET, Kansas City.
USDA releases monthly Livestock, Dairy and Poultry Outlook, 3 p.m. ET.
June 19
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.
