Put more climate change into the farm bill, suggests think tank
The next farm bill, “an unwieldy pile of programs,” could be the vehicle to improve the Farm Belt’s response to climate change while exercising restraint in commodity subsidies, said an American Enterprise Institute publication on Monday. In essays modeled on Christmas wish lists, seven agricultural economists expressed hopes ranging from more money for agricultural research to splitting the farm bill in two.
Jobs recovery is spotty in rural counties
Only 43 percent of rural counties have the same number of jobs, or more, as they had before the pandemic, said the Daily Yonder, based on an analysis of Labor Department data. Recovery was strongest in counties on the fringes of metropolitan areas and the weakest in counties furthest from town.
TODAY’S QUICK HITS
Miller endorses ‘MAGA’ Bailey: Illinois Rep. Mary Miller endorsed challenger Darren Bailey, “MAGA to his core,” over fellow House Agriculture Committee member Rep. Mike Bost of Illinois in the GOP primary in a downstate U.S. House district. (St. Louis Post-Democrat)
More species threatened worldwide: Climate change is accelerating the decline in the number of plants and animals on the planet, said the International Union for Conservation of Nature, which lists 157,000 threatened species, up 4.7 percent from last year. (Associated Press)
They’re not dear to farmers: Across Minnesota, farmers are raising more complaints than usual about White-tailed deer pilfering thousands of dollars’ worth of feed stored for livestock and reducing harvests by grazing on field crops. (MPR News)
Panama Canal grain delays: The months immediately after harvest are the prime season for U.S. grain exports, but shipments through the drought-hit Panama Canal could be disrupted well into 2024, creating additional expenses, said traders and analysts. (Reuters)
Farmers back pipeline moratorium: Delegates at the Illinois Farm Bureau annual meeting adopted policy language calling for a temporary moratorium on carbon dioxide pipelines until federal safety rules are completed and opposing the use of eminent domain for the pipelines. (FarmWeek Now)
