Non-family farms take larger share of U.S. land and production
America may still be a land of family farms — 96 percent of the 2 million farms in the country are owned by families, according to a new USDA report on farm types. Yet there are more and more non-family farms and they account for a growing share of agricultural production.
With executive orders, Biden gives anti-hunger advocates a big slice of what they wanted
Amid the flurry of executive orders that marked his first 48 hours in office, President Joe Biden announced on Friday that he will ask the USDA to expand two critical food-assistance programs, as hunger continues to plague millions during the pandemic. The early moves confirm expectations that the new administration will be serious about tackling food insecurity, through both general financial assistance and targeted food aid.
TODAY’S QUICK HITS
Covid-19 in ‘America’s salad bowl’: One in six residents of Yuma County, Arizona, known for winter vegetable crops and as a destination for “snow bird” tourists, has come down with the coronavirus. (New York Times)
Moratorium on big dairies proposed: Companion bills in the Oregon legislature would enact a temporary moratorium on construction or expansion of dairy farms with more than 2,500 cows while regulators study the environmental and social impacts of the big farms. (The Counter)
Dropping out of land stewardship: Farmers are dropping out of the long-term Conservation Reserve in Oklahoma because the government is reducing the rental rates it will pay to idle fragile land. (Harvest Public Media)
Iowa ethanol output plunges: Ethanol plants in the leading corn and ethanol state produced 3.7 billion gallons of the biofuel in 2020, a 12-percent decline from the previous year due to the pandemic and trade disputes. (Iowa Renewable Fuels Association)
Aldicarb and streptomycin for citrus: In the final days of the Trump administration, the EPA okayed use of the antibiotic streptomycin on citrus trees nationwide, and the pesticide aldicarb on up to 100,000 acres of citrus in Florida, to fight citrus greening and canker. (Chemical and Engineering News)
ON THE CALENDAR
Monday
Biden administration is expected to release executive orders on Buy American.
USDA releases monthly Food Price Outlook, 9 a.m. ET. At present, the USDA forecasts grocery prices will rise 1.5 percent this year, less than half of the 3.5 percent of 2020 and close to the long-term average of 2 percent a year. Meat prices are forecast to fall this year after steep increases in 2020; beef soared 9.5 percent, pork 6.5 percent and poultry 5.5 percent due to the pandemic.
The International Dairy Foods Association holds an online Dairy Forum 2021, with the theme “Dairy evolved,” through Thursday.
USDA releases monthly Cold Storage report, 3 p.m. ET.
Tuesday
The Biden administration is expected to release executive orders on racial equity.
American Feed Industry Association holds 2021 Pet Food Conference online.
USDA releases its once-a-month State Stories report of weather and crop summaries for 44 states and the New England region during the winter months, noon ET.
USDA releases annual Coffee report, 3 p.m. ET.
Wednesday
The Biden administration is expected to release executive orders on climate change.
Thursday
The Biden administration is expected to release executive orders on healthcare.
National Farmers Union opens 2021 annual convention online, holding one educational session per week and concluding on March 1 and 2, with debate and voting by delegates on NFU policy.
American Sheep Industry Association holds 2021 annual convention online, through Friday.
Friday
The Biden administration is expected to release executive orders on immigration.
USDA releases monthly Agricultural Prices, semi-annual Cattle, and annual Sheep and Goats reports, 3 p.m. ET.
