U.S. prods Colorado River Basin states for water conservation agreement
With Colorado River Basin states in disarray, the government said on Tuesday it would work with the seven states for an agreement on huge reductions in water usage from the river. In the interim, the Interior Department said it would release less water next year to Arizona and Nevada as well as to Mexico, in response to the 23-year drought that has dried the basin.
Focus farm bill on small farmers, not corporate ag — Land Stewardship Project
When Congress writes the new farm bill, it should put a moratorium on agribusiness mergers, eliminate USDA cost-share money for methane digesters on factory farms and reduce crop insurance premiums for farmers who implement soil-health practices, said the Land Stewardship Project on Tuesday.
TODAY’S QUICK HITS
DeLauro skeptical of review: The FDA is more likely to ask for additional funding than address structural issues in its administration of food safety programs, said House Appropriations chair Rosa DeLauro, who says there ought to be a separate food safety agency. (Food Fix)
Aid ship leaves Ukraine: The grain ship Brave Commander, loaded with 23,000 tonnes of wheat, sailed from the Black Seat port of Pivdennyi bound for Africa on Tuesday, the first ship carrying food aid to leave Ukraine since Russia invaded the country on Feb. 24. (Reuters)
Farmland prices and fundamentals: While some worry about a price bubble, farmland prices in Illinois “do not appear out of line with historical relationships” between land prices, farmland returns and interest rates, said six university economists. (farmdoc daily)
ADM, LG Chem partnerships: Archer Daniels Midland and LG Chem announced two joint ventures to produce corn-based lactic acid and polylactic acid in downstate Illinois for uses that include bioplastics. (ADM)
Worrying about ‘Scope 3’: Farm groups oppose an SEC proposal for large companies to report on greenhouse gas emissions throughout their value chain, which could include farms that grow crops and livestock for food processors. (Investigate Midwest)
