U.S. cotton production edges upward, market price falls
The drought-hit U.S. cotton crop is slightly larger than previously thought, at 14 million bales, but exports are stagnant for this marketing year, said the USDA on Thursday. The monthly WASDE report said cotton production was down worldwide.
Lawmakers grumble about being left in the dark on USDA climate-smart projects
The Biden administration bypassed lawmakers when it tripled the size of its climate-smart commodities initiative and may face congressional investigations and stricter limits on USDA spending as a consequence, said two farm policy consultants on Wednesday. “I think there will be an attempt to interject the Congress into the CCC process because of what’s happened,” said Colin Peterson, former chair of the House Agriculture Committee.
Colorado passes universal school lunch
Colorado voters on Tuesday approved a ballot measure to make free lunches available to all public school students. But voters in Sioux Falls, South Dakota, rejected a proposed ban on new slaughterhouses, and California voted down a proposed tax on the ultra-wealthy to pay for electric vehicle programs and wildfire prevention.
Bird flu losses now on par with worst U.S. animal disease event
In nine months, nationwide outbreaks of highly pathogenic avian influenza have killed 50.12 million birds in domestic flocks, said USDA data on Wednesday. Losses from HPAI and the culling of infected flocks are now on par with the 2014-15 bird flu outbreak, which the USDA has described as the most significant animal disease event in U.S. history.
TODAY’S QUICK HITS
President says no to GMOs: With a trade dispute brewing, Mexican President Andrés Manuel López Obrador said his government cannot buy yellow corn from the United States because it does not want genetically modified corn. (Reuters)
Railroad cooling-off period: U.S. freight railroads and the BMWED, a labor union, extended their cooling-off period to Dec. 4, averting a potential strike this month and allowing time for all unions to vote on a proposed contract. (Association of American Railroads)
Ecological collapse in Utah: At the Great Salt Lake, the population of brine flies has plunged, and “things aren’t looking good” for brine shrimp either. Both are a crucial food source every year for millions of migrating birds. (Salt Lake Tribune)
Iowans protest carbon pipelines: Shouting “Iowans, not investors,” “No eminent domain for private gain,” and “Our farms, not for sale,” several hundred people in Des Moines protested against carbon capture pipelines at an industry conference on Wednesday. (Ag Insider)
Vilsack at climate conference: Agriculture Secretary Tom Vilsack will take part in eight events, from Friday through Monday, at COP27 to demonstrate the U.S. commitment to, and leadership on, climate-smart agriculture. (Ag Insider)
