More trade-war payments ‘coming very quickly,’ Trump tells farmers
In his third appearance in three years before the largest U.S farm group, President Trump told cheering farmers that they will get a final round of $3.6 billion in trade-war payments despite trade deals intended to spur money-making ag exports.
Where Perdue sees ‘flexibility’ in school food, critics see junk food
The USDA will propose a new round of “common-sense flexibility” for school meals this week, says USDA Secretary Sonny Perdue. Skeptics said it will mean more pizza, burgers and fries and fewer servings of fruits and vegetables.
Talks & Eats – Manhattan – Surf ‘n’ Turf: Can our seafood survive Big Ag and climate change?
As oceans warm, our major fisheries are shifting. At the same time, farm runoff is contributing to dead zones from the Gulf of Mexico to Long Island. Both of these issues – climate change and farming practices – affect the health of ocean ecosystems and, ultimately, the seafood that winds up on our plates. Join moderator and best-selling author Paul Greenberg for a stimulating discussion Feb. 10, 2020, 7:30 p.m., at Subculture in Greenwich Village. VIP reception with drinks and bites beforehand.
TODAY’S QUICK HITS
Ban salmonella bacteria on meat (Washington Post): Food-safety lawyer Bill Marler petitioned the USDA to label 31 disease-causing strains of salmonella bacteria as adulterants, which would require meat processors to keep them out of meat sold to consumers.
Prairie strips have a place at USDA (Harvest Public Media): A new land stewardship practice is available for land owners who enroll in the Conservation Reserve: planting native grasses and flowers in prairie strips to prevent erosion and runoff and enhance wildlife habitat.
Progress on vaccine bank (USDA): The Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service plans to issue contracts for the purchase of $15-$30 million of vaccine against foot-and-mouth disease by this spring, part of plans to set up a vaccine bank to combat virulent animal diseases.
‘Kiwi Queen’ dies at 96 (Los Angeles Times): Frieda Caplan, “the woman who broke the testosterone-doused produce world,” introduced dozens of exotic fruits and vegetables into the American diet, including kiwis, mangoes, starfruit, bean sprouts and habanero peppers.
Pork checkoff board reorganizes (NPC): The National Pork Board, which administers the producer-funded pork checkoff program, announced its first restructuring in nearly 20 years, which includes appointment of a vice president of sustainability.
ON THE CALENDAR
Tuesday
– Delegates to the American Farm Bureau Federation annual meeting vote on policy resolutions, Austin, Texas.
– National Biodiesel Board holds annual National Biodiesel Conference, through Thursday, Tampa, Florida.
– Final day of National Farmers Union’s annual Women’s Conference, San Diego.
Wednesday
– National Bison Association holds winter conference, through Saturday, Denver.
– American Sheep Industry Association holds annual convention, through Saturday, Scottsdale, Arizona.
– Farm Futures holds Ag Finance Boot Camp, Iowa City.
Thursday
– Farm Futures holds Business Summit 2020, through Friday, Iowa City, Iowa.
– USDA releases annual Coffee report, 3 p.m. ET.
– USDA releases monthly Food Price Outlook, 9 a.m. ET.
– USDA releases monthly Cattle on Feed report, 3 p.m. ET.
Saturday
– Lunar New Year, also known as the Spring Festival, is celebrated by a quarter of the world’s population, mostly in Asia. 2020 is the year of the rat, the first of the animals in the Chinese zodiac and “a sign of wealth and surplus.” The spring festival runs 11 days.
– Edible Communities holds Edible Institute, through Sunday, Sante Fe, New Mexico.
Sunday
– International Dairy Food Association hosts Dairy Forum 2020, through Jan 29, Scottsdale, Ariz.
