Largest U.S. farm group opposes ‘make allowance’ proposal as unfair
The Agriculture Department should insist on comprehensive reform of U.S. dairy pricing rather than considering a piecemeal approach from dairy processors for an increase in the so-called make allowance, said the American Farm Bureau Federation on Wednesday. “We urge you to reject the current proposals that risk further burden to America’s dairy farmers,” wrote AFBF president Zippy Duvall in a letter to Agriculture Secretary Tom Vilsack.
Biden trade strategy: Stronger ties with like-minded countries
The Biden administration is writing “a new story on trade” that emphasizes cooperation with allies because countries such as China have abused open markets and low tariffs, U.S. trade representative Katherine Tai said in a Wednesday speech.
TODAY’S QUICK HITS
Mexico reins in glyphosate: Along with a ban on imports of GMO corn for making tortillas, Mexico will slash imports of glyphosate, the most widely used weedkiller in the world, by 50 percent this year. (The New Lede)
Ukraine grain triggers resignation: Poland’s agriculture minister quit his job to protest a European Commission decision to allow duty-free imports of Ukrainian grain until June 2024, which the region’s farmers say will drive down prices for their crops. (Reuters)
Early spring: Spring arrived three to four weeks early in the eastern United States — in some areas, it was the earliest on record — bringing with it the risk of disruptions in crop production and a longer allergy season. (Grist)
Cutting calories in milk: Dairy processors, which provide more than 90 percent of milk to schools, said that beginning with the 2025-26 school year, they will reduce the calories and added sugars in flavored milk to meet the recommendations of the Dietary Guidelines for Americans. (IDFA)
Rural vote shifted Democratic: Janet Protasiewicz, the Democratic winner in yesterday’s election for the Wisconsin Supreme Court, won 45 percent of the rural vote, topping President Biden’s performance in 2020 by 5 percentage points. (Daily Yonder)
