Market diversification is path to increased farm exports
U.S. food and ag exports are concentrated in four markets that generate nearly $6 of every $10 in sales, said two senior U.S. ag trade officials on Thursday. To expand sales volume, they said at a trade group meeting, new customers must be developed in countries that have been off the export radar in the past.
Sales of antibiotics for food animals up again
Drugmakers sold 24.6 million pounds of antibiotics for use in cattle, hogs, and poultry last year, up 4 percent from 2021 and the second increase in two years, said the Food and Drug Administration on Thursday.
TODAY’S QUICK HITS
Global crop yields rise: Corn, wheat, soybean, and rice yields per acre have improved at a steady or increasing rate since 1981, suggesting that production of the world’s most widely grown crops “has thus far been able to adapt to climate change impacts,” wrote four ag economists. (farmdoc daily)
Whack SNAP, say conservatives: The new farm bill should return SNAP spending to pre-pandemic levels — a 40 percent reduction from current spending — said Iowa Sen. Chuck Grassley, a member of the Senate Agriculture Committee, and Texas Rep. Chip Roy, a member of the House Freedom Caucus. (Rep. Roy)
Hovde vs. Baldwin: Wealthy Republican Eric Hovde will run against second-term Sen. Tammy Baldwin, a Democrat, in the 2024 Senate race in Wisconsin, said Senate Republican campaign chair Steve Daines. (Milwaukee Journal Sentinel)
Court rules against Iowa counties: In a lawsuit filed by Summit Carbon Solutions, a federal judge barred Story and Shelby counties in Iowa from enforcing ordinances that would restrict the routing of carbon dioxide pipelines. (Iowa Capital Dispatch)
NOPA’s first female leader: Kailee Buller, who will begin work as chief executive of the National Oilseed Processors Association on Dec. 18, will be the first woman to lead the trade group. (NOPA)
