Piggybacking onto a Supreme Court case over hogs
With varying perspectives, the pharmaceutical industry, the Canadian Pork Council and New Jersey Sen. Cory Booker hope to influence the Supreme Court in deciding whether an animal welfare law approved by California voters is an unconstitutional burden on the rest of America. The pork industry and the Justice Department say it is.
Bird flu found in No. 3 broiler state
A broiler breeder flock in northwestern Arkansas was infected by highly pathogenic avian influenza, part of an autumn resurgence of the viral disease (HPAI), said the Agriculture Department. Arkansas ranks third among states in production of broiler chickens, which are grown for human consumption.
Talks & Eats returns to Brooklyn, 10/24!
The climate crisis in agriculture is a frequent topic of reporting. Climate change is also having a significant effect on wine and beer. How are vintners and brewers responding? In this panel discussion, wine writer Alice Feiring — proclaimed “the queen of natural wines” by the Financial Times — will talk about what she’s seen and what she’s worried about. Garrett Oliver — Brewmaster, The Brooklyn Brewery and Editor-in-Chief, The Oxford Companion to Beer — will talk about the ancient grains he’s now using to brew climate resilient beers. And author Rowan Jacobsen will focus on the explosion of winemaking in the northeast as the climate has warmed. Tickets include complimentary beer and wine. A tax-deductible VIP ticket includes a reception with beer, wine, and eats. Buy your tickets now!
TODAY’S QUICK HITS
Mississippi River open again: A backup of 2,000 towboats and barges due to low water levels was being cleared after the reopening of sections of the river near Memphis and Stack Island, Mississippi, said the Coast Guard. (Bloomberg)
Rail union rejects contract: Members of the Brotherhood of Maintenance of Way Employees union defeated a proposed national contract with U.S. freight railroads, meaning a new round of negotiations is needed. (BMWED)
D-SNAP approved for Floridians: Low-income Floridians affected by Hurricane Ian may be eligible for one month of SNAP assistance for purchasing food at grocery stores or select retailers online. (USDA)
Food index declines again: The FAO Food Price Index, which tracks international prices for a basket of food commodities, fell for the sixth month in a row, led by a 6.6-percent drop in vegetable oil prices; the index was 5.5 percent higher than one year ago. (Food and Agriculture Organization)
Slaughterhouse ban on ballot: The South Dakota Soybean Association contributed $125,000 to a campaign against a ban on new slaughterhouses in Sioux Falls; the ban was proposed after Wholestone Farms said it would build a pork processing plant in the city. (Mitchell Republic)
ON THE CALENDAR
Tuesday
Supreme Court hears arguments in farm group challenge of Proposition 12 animal welfare law in California, 10 a.m. ET, Washington.
Agriculture Secretary Tom Vilsack and Maine Gov. Janet Mills visits a Portland-area school and discusses the school lunch program.
Deputy Agriculture Secretary Jewel Bronaugh and Oregon Sen. Ron Wyden announce “major investment” in rural access to high-speed internet service, Oregon City, Oregon.
USDA releases weekly Crop Progress report, 3 p.m. ET.
Wednesday
Consumer Federation of America holds National Food Policy Conference, 8 a.m. ET, Capital Hilton. FDA commissioner Robert Califf speaks at 8:30 a.m. ET and Senate Agriculture chairwoman Debbie Stabenow speaks at 1:30 p.m. ET.
USDA releases monthly Crop Production and WASDE reports, noon ET. Traders expect USDA to stand pat on its estimates of the corn and soybean harvests and to increase its forecasts of the corn and soybean stockpiles at the end of this marketing year.
Agriculture Undersecretary Xochitl Torres Small and New Hampshire Rep. Annie Kuster, visit a healthcare facility to announce “a major investment” to improve access to health care in rural America.
U.S. Grains Council, Renewable Fuels Association and Growth Energy hold Export Exchange, through Friday, Minneapolis.
Thursday
The Labor Department releases monthly Consumer Price Index report, 8:30 a.m. ET. The overall U.S. inflation rate was 8.3 percent and the food inflation rate was 11.4 percent in the most recent CPI report.
Alfonso Clavijo, director of the National Bio and Agro-Defense Facility, speaks at Agricultural Business Council of Kansas City luncheon meeting, 12:30 p.m. ET, Olathe, Kansas.
Farmdoc webinar, “Machinery Investments and Farm Financial Trends,” noon ET.
Oct. 16
World Food Day, to commemorate the founding of the UN Food and Agriculture Organization in 1945. The 2022 theme is “Leave no one behind.”
