‘Overfed but undernourished’ — Congress is told U.S. in health crisis
Poor-quality diets are driving an expensive epidemic of obesity, diabetes and heart disease in America, a panel of physicians, researchers and policy experts told senators on Tuesday. They called for a national strategy to replace the mishmash of federal nutrition programs. “We are on a path to disaster,” said Dr. Dariush Mozaffarian, dean of the Tufts School of Nutrition.
At climate talks, countries agree to halt deforestation and cut methane emissions
In the first major deal of the UN Climate Change Conference, leaders of more than 100 countries signed a pact on Tuesday to end deforestation by 2030. Tuesday also marked the official launch of the Global Methane Pledge, a joint effort between the U.S. and the European Union that aims to cut methane emissions by 30 percent by 2030.
Big farmers aren’t warming to carbon capture contracts — survey
Despite publicity about carbon sequestration as a potential source of revenue, only a handful of America’s largest farmers and ranchers are pursuing carbon contracts, a survey by Purdue University found.
First-in-the-nation ‘right to food’ wins in Maine
Voters in Maine approved a constitutional amendment establishing a right to food in a landslide on Tuesday, despite disagreement over what it would mean, according to unofficial results.
Today’s Quick Hits
Deere workers reject contract: For the second time in a month, workers at the agriculture equipment maker Deere & Co. rejected a contract proposal negotiated by their union, extending a strike that began in mid-October. (New York Times)
Carbon capture initiative: Seed and agrochemical giant Bayer and the largest U.S. agricultural cooperative, CHS, announced an agreement to offer a carbon program to farmers in 17 states. (Bayer)
Clean tech and ag: More than 40 world leaders say they will work together to promote clean technologies by imposing worldwide standards; five high-carbon sectors will be targeted at first, including agriculture and electricity. (BBC)
Prepare for winter: After Covid-19 outbreaks and heavy rains drove up vegetable prices, the Chinese government issued an earlier-than-usual advisory for families to stock up on daily necessities in case of emergencies during the winter. (Reuters)
Early planting pays: Growers who plant soybeans early in the spring say the reward of top yields and higher profits is worth the risk of losses from frost damage. (DTN/Progressive Farmer)
