Profitability of many midwestern corn, soy farms ‘will almost surely fall’
Farmland values are falling for the fifth year in the Midwest, and one factor in the decline is “muted expectations for farm income” this year, said the Chicago Federal Reserve Bank on Thursday. “The profitability of many corn and soybean farms will almost surely fall from their 2018 levels — possibly by a lot for some.”
‘City slickers’ get Trump tariff payments
More than 9,000 people living in the largest U.S. cities received thousands of dollars in Trump tariff payments intended to mitigate the impact of the trade war on U.S. agriculture, said the Environmental Working Group on Thursday.
China buys U.S. pork as trade war deepens
Exporters reported the sale of 10,200 tonnes of U.S. pork to China during the week ending Aug. 8, the same period that China said it was shutting off purchases of American ag exports.
The Future of Food Summit – EatingWell & IFIC
September 18, 2019 – New York City
For the first time ever, EatingWell and the International Food Information Council Foundation are bringing together thought leaders across academia, agriculture, manufacturing, technology, retail and the media to discuss the Future of Food and how our food system needs to change for the better. Taking place on September 18 in NYC, the summit will feature thought-provoking panel discussions, including a keynote address by Ali Bouzari, Co-Founder of Pilot R&D and Render. For a full line-up of panel topics and speakers and to buy tickets, visit EatingWellIFICSummit.com. #futureoffood
TODAY’S QUICK HITS
EPA to review M-44 predator poison (EPA): Administrator Andrew Wheeler said the agency will take a closer look at the use of sodium cyanide in spring-loaded M-44 devices, which are used to poison livestock predators, because of the risk it poses to birds and mammals attracted to the bait.
Nunes rebuttal: I am a farmer (Sacramento Bee): California Rep. Devin Nunes, accused of being a “fake farmer” during the 2018 election, reported for the first time in a decade that he owns a stake in a Tulare County farm, though it generates no income for him.
Cotton growers feel impact of trade war (KOLD-TV): Although growers in southern Arizona’s Pima County say they are cutting back on cotton plantings and looking for alternative crops because of the trade war, they also say the United States was right to challenge China’s trade practices.
Making fertilizer cheaper (SciDev.Net): Since affordability is the greatest barrier to the use of yield-enhancing fertilizers in developing nations, a team of researchers is suggesting offering subsidies to companies for developing lower-cost fertilizers, which would then be coupled with training on their efficient use.
Building the best butter cow (Washington Post): Butter sculpting may reflect “the impermanence of life,” says Sarah Pratt, sculptor of the “butter cow” at the Iowa State Fair, but years-old butter is the best for her work because it “is a lot more like clay.”
