Small share of coronavirus package for food aid and farmers
The final coronavirus aid package of the year would direct 3 percent of its $900 billion in funding to food assistance and relief for agricultural producers, according to its Democratic and Republican sponsors. “It’s a deal that must come together,” said one of the sponsors, Sen. Joe Manchin of West Virginia, on Sunday.
In Puerto Rico, 40 percent suffer food insecurity with no end in sight
Even before the pandemic, Denise Santos was struggling to get food to in-need families in Puerto Rico. As president of the Banco de Alimentos de Puerto Rico, the island’s largest food bank, she had spent the years that followed Hurricanes Irma and Maria—which devastated Puerto Rico in 2017—working to fight hunger. Then, in January, a massive earthquake hit, unleashing thousands of smaller temblors that left thousands of families homeless, and destroyed infrastructure. Two months later, the pandemic struck.
Good year for grain-farm income despite pandemic
The typical Midwestern grain farm could generate more than twice as much income this year as in 2019, thanks to higher market prices and large federal payments, said two University of Illinois analysts. The outlook for the new year is much more dour, especially without new stopgap payments.
Today’s Quick Hits
JBS pares work force due to Covid-19: Meatpacker JBS has put more than 5,000 of its 64,000 U.S. workers on paid leave, removing workers judged to be most vulnerable to the coronavirus and simplifying its mix of products to limit the impact on production. (Bloomberg)
Fewer deer hunters share with food banks: Many charities are seeing a decline in donations from hunters this year, possibly because the economic turmoil that accompanied the pandemic has them worried about feeding their own families. (The Counter)
From USDA to ‘Dept. of Food and Well Being’: The Biden administration needs an agriculture secretary “who cares not only about how food and industrial products are produced but also for whom, and to what general public good,” say two food reformers. (New York Times)
Psychoactive plant in ancient cave art: A University of California entomologist worked with researchers who believe that ancient images painted in a cave depict the flower of the Datura plant, which has psychoactive properties and was used by Native Americans in rituals. (UC ANR News)
On The Calendar
Monday
Acting director Jerry Costello of the Illinois Department of Agriculture speaks during a webinar hosted by The Chicago Farmers on agricultural issues in the state, 1 p.m. ET.
DTN holds annual Ag Summit online, through Wednesday.
American Seed Trade Association holds annual CSS and Seed Trade Export Virtual, through Wednesday.
Tuesday
Farm Foundation forum, “The next four years in ag policy: Leading experts set the stage,” 1 p.m. ET. Scheduled to speak are former agriculture secretaries Mike Espy, Dan Glickman and Ann Veneman and former U.S. chief agricultural negotiator Darci Vetter.
Farmdoc Daily holds webinar, “Farm program and crop insurance decisions for 2021,” 1 p.m. ET.
National Grain and Feed Association holds online Country Elevator Conference and trade show, through Thursday.
USDA releases Census of Horticulture and annual Floriculture Crops report, noon ET.
Wednesday
House Agriculture subcommittee hearing online, “1890 Land Grant institutions, 130 years of building equity in agriculture,” 10 a.m. ET.
USDA releases North American Potatoes report, postponed from Dec. 2, 3 p.m. ET.
Thursday
USDA releases monthly Crop Production and WASDE reports, noon ET. With the fall harvest nearly complete, the focus turns to demand for U.S. crops. Traders expect larger soybean consumption by processors, exporters and livestock producers than was forecast a month ago, which will reduce the carry-over supply at the end of this marketing year to 169 million bushels, the smallest in seven years.
USDA releases annual America’s Diverse Family Farms: 2020 Edition, 3 p.m. ET.
Friday
Farmdoc Daily holds webinar, “Straining the alphabet soup: Post-election farm policy outlook after three years of ad hoc farm payments,” noon ET.
USDA holds webinar on the annual America’s Diverse Family Farms: 2020 Edition, 1 p.m. ET.
Final day for producers to apply for payments from CFAP2, the second iteration of USDA’s Coronavirus Food Assistance Program. Some $11.1 billion had been disbursed as of Nov. 30.
Deadline for enrollment in USDA’s Dairy Margin Coverage subsidy program for 2021.
