Shift in Sino-U.S. dialogue: How to protect U.S. economic interests
While pressing China to live up to its trade commitments, the United States will focus increasingly on how to defend its economic interests in dealing with an unreliable partner, said U.S. trade representative Katherine Tai. China and the United States are the two largest economies in the world and their overall relationship is “profoundly consequential,” said Tai on the closing day of USDA’s annual Outlook Forum.
Report: Drought drained $1.2 billion from California ag in 2021
Drought cost California’s agricultural sector $1.2 billion and 8,750 full- and part-time jobs last year, according to a new report prepared for the state’s Department of Food and Agriculture. It is the latest evidence that climate change is upending the country’s most productive agricultural region.
Two cases of bird flu in upstate New York
The Agriculture Department confirmed outbreaks of highly pathogenic avian influenza (HPAi) in adjoining Ulster and Dutchess counties in upstate New York, about 80 miles north of New York City along the Hudson River. The USDA has confirmed 12 other cases, all in the eastern half of the nation, since Feb. 8.
Today’s Quick Hits
Fastest growth in decade: Farmland values soared 30 percent or more in Nebraska, Iowa, Minnesota, South Dakota and North Dakota in the final months of 2021, “the fastest rate of growth since 2012 and 2013” in the four Federal Reserve districts surveyed. (Kansas City Federal Reserve)
Roller-coaster grain markets: U.S. futures prices for wheat fell 75 cents, the daily limit, a day after shooting “limit up” because Russia invaded Ukraine; both are leading global wheat exporters. (Successful Farming)
Farm cheated workers: The Labor Department said a potato farm in southeastern Idaho failed to pay $159,000 to so-called guestworkers and threatened to fire the workers and send them home if they did not accept the lower wages. (Idaho Statesman)
Farmers in space: With the global population growing and climate change threatening the world’s arable land, several companies are contemplating food production in space, among them Aleph Farms, based in Israel and a producer of cell-cultured meat. (Modern Farmer)
On The Calendar
Monday
USDA Equity Commission holds its inaugural meeting online, 11:30 a.m. ET.
Colorado Gov. Jared Polis and state agriculture commissioner Kate Greenberg speak at the National Farmers Union annual convention, Denver. Agriculture Secretary Tom Vilsack is to speak on Tuesday, the final day of the convention.
The National Potato Council holds 2022 NPC Washington Summit, through Thursday, Washington.
Sweetener Users Association and International Dairy Foods Association hold Sweetener Users Colloquium, through Wednesday, Tucson, Arizona.
USDA releases monthly Agricultural Prices, annual Trout and Cold Storage Annual reports, 3 p.m. ET.
Tuesday
President Biden delivers his first State of the Union address, 9 p.m. ET, The Capitol.
House Agriculture Committee hearing, “Review of the farm bill: Commodity group perspectives on Title I,” 10 a.m. ET, 1300 Longworth.
Purdue University releases the monthly Ag Economy Barometer, a gauge of the health of the agricultural economy.
Wednesday
Senate Agriculture Committee holds confirmation hearing on nominations of Christy Romero, Kristin Johnson, Summer Mersinger and Caroline Pham to serve as CFTC commissioners, 10 a.m. ET, 216 Hart.
Thursday
USApple holds its annual Capitol Hill Day, Washington.
USDA releases annual reports on U.S. and Canadian hogs and U.S. and Canadian cattle and sheep, 3 p.m. ET.
Sunday
School Nutrition Association holds Legislative Action Conference, through March 8, Washington.
