USDA ‘framework’ intended to reduce salmonella-related illness
Poultry processors could be required to test birds for salmonella bacteria before slaughter and for so-called indicator organisms during processing under a USDA proposal aimed at reducing food-borne illnesses in raw poultry.
Taste tops cost of food, male and female shoppers agree
Whether married or single, male or female, Americans have nearly identical views about food, according to a Purdue survey of adult consumers. Taste topped the list as the most desirable attribute among grocery shoppers, followed by nutrition, affordability, availability, environmental impact and social responsibility.
Talks & Eats returns to Brooklyn, 10/24!
The climate crisis in agriculture is a frequent topic of reporting here at FERN. But climate change is also having a significant effect on wine and beer. How are vintners and brewers responding? In this panel discussion, wine writer Alice Feiring — proclaimed “the queen of natural wines” by the Financial Times — will talk about what she’s seen and what she’s worried about. Garrett Oliver — Brewmaster, The Brooklyn Brewery and Editor-in-Chief, The Oxford Companion to Beer — will talk about the ancient grains he’s now using to brew climate resilient beers. And author Rowan Jacobsen will focus on the explosion of winemaking in the northeast as the climate has warmed. Tickets include complimentary beer and wine. A tax-deductible VIP ticket includes a reception with beer, wine, and eats.
TODAY’S QUICK HITS
Narrow lead for Grassley: The Iowa Poll has Sen. Chuck Grassley, a member of the Senate Agriculture Committee, with a slim lead over Democrat Mike Franken; 60 percent of likely voters saying Grassley’s age, 86, is a concern. (Des Moines Register)
Catastrophic hunger in Haiti: More than four of every 10 Haitians, a record 4.7 million people, face catastrophic hunger due to high food and fuel prices, out-of-control inflation, disease and violence, said two UN agencies. (FAO)
Alaska crab harvest nixed: The Alaska Department of Fish and Game canceled the fall Bristol Bay red king crab season and the winter snow crab season in an attempt to preserve plummeting populations of the crustaceans. (Associated Press)
Aid for underserved communities: The USDA awarded $71 million to help underserved communities, including $36.1 million to 52 organizations for outreach and technical assistance to farmers, ranchers and foresters. (USDA)
Farmland at $26,250 an acre: A local farmer outbid the competition to buy 55.56 acres of rich farmland in northwestern Iowa for $1.46 million, believed to be the highest price ever for Iowa cropland. (Sioux City Journal)
ON THE CALENDAR
Monday
Wyoming Gov. Mark Gordon and Agriculture Secretary Tom Vilsack announce an agreement by the state and USDA to preserve working lands that provide habitat for big game animals such as elk, pronghorn antelope and mule deer, 3 p.m. ET.
FAO holds World Food Forum in person and online, through Friday, Rome.
USDA releases weekly Crop Progress report, 3 p.m. ET.
Tuesday
The World Food Prize holds an annual symposium, through Thursday, Des Moines. Known as the Borlaug Dialogue, the symposium includes the formal awarding of the $250,000 World Food Prize to NASA climate scientist Cynthia Rosenzweig. This year’s theme is “Feeding a fragile world.”
Deputy Agriculture Secretary Jewel Bronaugh took part in the launch of the WIC Community Innovation and Outreach project, funded by a $20 million USDA grant, to increase enrollment in WIC, noon ET.
The National Organic Standards Board holds a public comment webinar ahead of its fall meeting in California, noon ET.
USDA releases monthly Livestock, Dairy and Poultry Outlook, 3 p.m. ET.
Thursday
Farmdoc holds a webinar, “Young Farmer Programs,” noon ET.
The National Organic Standards Board holds a public comment webinar ahead of its fall meeting in California, noon ET.
International Grains Council releases monthly Grain Market Report, London.
Friday
USDA releases monthly Cattle on Feed report, 3 p.m. ET.
