Peterson, ag committee chair, defeated after three decades in House – November 4, 2020

Peterson, ag committee chair, defeated after three decades in House

Michelle Fischbach, a well-financed Republican and former Minnesota lieutenant governor endorsed by President Trump, soundly defeated House Agriculture chairman Collin Peterson in a strongly conservative western state district, according to unofficial results from Tuesday’s election. The blunt-spoken Peterson was a supporter of the farm program and played a prominent role in blocking Republican proposals for huge cuts in SNAP as part of the 2018 farm bill.

 

Farmer optimism is record high in a year of extremes

Farmer confidence is the highest in the five-year history of the Ag Economy Barometer, said Purdue University on Tuesday. The monthly survey of large-scale farmers and ranchers has returned dynamic results in a year disrupted by the pandemic.

 

More than 1 million SNAP households shop online

The USDA is trying to expand online grocery shopping for SNAP recipients by adding local and regional grocers to the program, said Agriculture deputy undersecretary Brandon Lipps. The USDA said over 1 million SNAP households shopped online in September, out of more than 22 million SNAP households.

 

TODAY’S QUICK HITS

Trump ‘public charge’ rule is vacated: A U.S. district judge in Chicago ordered the Trump administration to vacate its “public charge” rule, which effectively created a wealth test for immigrants and allowed the government to deny permanent residency to immigrants who might need public assistance, such as food stamps. (New York Times)

 

Smoke, ash and food production: Smoke and ash from California’s summer of wildfires could have lingering effects on food production, say experts who recommend washing produce in running water to mitigate any potential risks. (UC Agriculture and Natural Resources)

 

India and China grow more cotton: The world’s two largest cotton growers, India and China, are expanding production, helping to boost global production to 24.4 million tonnes in 2020/21, or 500,000 tonnes more than expected demand. (International Cotton Advisory Committee)

 

Small Midwest meat plant proposed: Local businessmen, with an eye on coronavirus disruptions at meatpacking plants last spring, proposed to open a small-scale beef and pork processing plant near the Illinois-Wisconsin border, coupled with a retail shop for a local supply of meat. (Northwest Herald)

Bookmark the permalink.