USDA aid to financially distressed borrowers tops $1 billion
The Agriculture Department announced an additional $130 million in assistance to financially distressed borrowers on Monday, boosting total farm loan relief for producers to approximately $1.1 billion since last fall. Agriculture Secretary Tom Vilsack said Congress wanted aid delivered quickly “and that is what we are delivering to help producers across the country stay on their land.”
Add biochar to USDA land stewardship practices, suggests carbon group
The new farm bill should allow direct incentive payments by USDA to farmers who use surplus crop and forestry residues for biochar projects rather than burning them and releasing greenhouse gases, said the Carbon Business Council on Tuesday. The council, speaking for carbon management companies, also recommended that Congress create a permitting process for carbon storage on national forest land.
TODAY’S QUICK HITS
Milk producers seek hearing: The National Milk Producers Federation submitted a comprehensive proposal to modernize the Federal Milk Marketing Order system, including updated pricing formulas, and urged the USDA to call a hearing on the proposal. (NMPF)
Second thoughts about eRINs: The EPA may delay a decision on whether to expand the Renewable Fuel Standard to include electricity generated from renewable sources, such as methane from cow manure, as well as that used to power electric cars. (Reuters)
Deadly Illinois dust storm: More than 30 people were injured and several died in crashes on I-55 in central Illinois “due to excessive winds blowing dirt” from freshly plowed farm fields, said police. (WLS-TV)
Corn planting on pace but…: Farmers have planted 26 percent of this year’s corn crop, on par with the five-year average, but work is behind normal in Iowa, the No. 1 corn state, and the upper Midwest because of a wet and cold spring. (USDA)
Biden invites congressional leaders: President Biden invited the Democratic and Republican leaders of the House and Senate to meet at the White House on May 9; the debt limit is a likely topic. (White House)
