‘Rescue’ bill for county fairs wins committee support
The House Agriculture Committee approved a bill on Tuesday to create a $500-million-a-year grant program to support local, county and state fairs that lost attendance and revenue due to the pandemic. An estimated 98 percent of the fairs were canceled last year and more are at risk in the fourth wave of Covid-19.
Crop yields seen dropping without climate action – report
The planet could be struck by a wave of “unprecedented” crop failures in the next 20 years if global greenhouse gas emissions continue as usual, according to a recent report released by Chatham House that examines the compounding threats posed by climate change.
Deadly swine disease confirmed in Haiti
Disease experts confirmed a case of African swine fever in Haiti, the second known case in the Western hemisphere in two months and a potential risk to U.S. hog farmers. African swine fever is harmless to humans but has a high mortality rate among hogs; it wiped out nearly half of China’s hogs in 2018 and 2019.
Rep. DeLauro proposes fruit-and-vegetable box giveaway
The USDA would create its third version of the food box intended to feed hungry Americans under legislation introduced by House Appropriations chairwoman Rosa DeLauro on Tuesday.
Today’s Quick Hits
Global hunger commitment: President Biden said at the United Nations that the United States, the world’s largest donor of food aid, “is making a $10 billion commitment to end hunger and invest in food systems at home and abroad.” (White House)
Cyber crime in ag: After splashy attacks on big companies, cyber criminals are turning their sights on smaller and more vulnerable targets in the agriculture and energy sectors in hopes of an easy shakedown, said the first story in a series on cybersecurity and agriculture. (DTN/Progressive Farmer)
Growing farmworker threat: Smoke and ash are a growing threat to farmworkers due to climate change and scientists are trying to identify all the chemicals in the smoke and the risks they pose. (InsideClimate News)
Corn-y Happy Meals: The toys that are part of children’s Happy Meals at McDonald’s will be made of corn and other renewable, recycled, or certified material. (NPR)
Iowa Senate test: More than a year before Election Day, seven-term Iowa Sen. Chuck Grassley, a Republican member of the Senate Agriculture Committee, led Rep. Abby Finkenauer, the best known Democrat in the Senate race, 55 percent to 37 percent, said the Iowa Poll. (Des Moines Register)
