U.S. demand means biggest food and ag trade deficit ever
Americans are consuming ever-larger amounts of imported fruits, vegetables, wine, alcohol, coffee, and beef, an appetite that will drive the food and ag trade deficit to a record $45.5 billion this fiscal year, estimated the Agriculture Department on Tuesday. Imports would be a sizzling $9.3 billion larger than in just-ended fiscal 2024, while food and ag exports decline for the third year in a row due to lower commodity prices.
Bird flu hits California farms hard in November
The avian influenza virus was identified in 100 dairy herds in the past week and in two dozen domestic flocks with more than 3 million birds so far this month in California, the U.S. hot spot for the viral disease, said state and USDA data on Tuesday. The state accounts for two-thirds of the 650 infected dairy herds in the nation.
TODAY’S QUICK HITS
Ruling on H-2A workers: In a ruling that affects Kentucky, Ohio, West Virginia, and Alabama, a federal district judge blocked a Biden administration expansion of protections for agricultural guest workers; the change was blocked in 17 other states by a different judge in August. (Wisconsin Examiner)
Dairy consumption hits record: Americans consumed an average of 661 pounds of dairy products during 2023, matching the 2021 record, and per capita consumption of butter, at 6.5 pounds, and cheese, at 42.3 pounds, were the highest ever, according to USDA data. (International Dairy Foods Association)
Cattle trafficking spreads parasite: Illegal cattle smuggling aided the resurgence of the New World screwworm across Central America, and the United States and Mexico must act decisively to stop its spread, said a conservation group; the USDA has suspended imports of cattle from Mexico. (Wildlife Conservation Society)
