USDA invites ideas on climate-smart ag policy – March 16, 2021

USDA invites ideas on climate-smart ag policy

To carry out President Biden’s goal of net-zero emissions of greenhouse gases from agriculture, the USDA said it would accept suggestions through April 30 on elements of a climate-smart agriculture and forestry policy. “This includes making the most of USDA programs, developing new USDA-led climate strategies, strengthening existing markets and developing new markets that generate new income,” said Agriculture Secretary Tom Vilsack.

 

Newcomer Warnock will chair Senate Agriculture subcommittee

One of the newest members of the Senate, Democrat Raphael Warnock of Georgia, who won a special election on Jan. 5, was named chairman of a Senate Agriculture subcommittee, announced committee leaders on Monday.

 

February storms put a hitch into U.S. poultry production

From hatching operations to processing plants, the mid-February winter storms disrupted the broiler chicken industry, said the USDA on Monday, with a lasting effect on broiler production.

 

Today’s Quick Hits

 

Senate confirms Haaland: On a mostly party-line 51-40 vote, the Senate confirmed New Mexico Rep. Deb Haaland as Interior secretary. She is the first Native American to become a cabinet member. (FERN’s Ag Insider)

 

Hipp to USDA: President Biden nominated Janie Hipp, an expert in agricultural law and food policy and a member of the Chickasaw Nation, to be the USDA’s general counsel. (White House)

 

Hope in small cities: Democrats continue to lose the vote in the small towns of rural America but they are making gains in counties where a mid-size or small city, such as Mankota, Minnesota, is trending their way. (Los Angeles Times)

 

Kirkpatrick to retire: Arizona Rep. Ann Kirkpatrick, a Democratic member of the House Agriculture Committee, announced she will retire in 2022 after five terms in the House. (Arizona Public Media) 

 

Promoter of computerized trading dies: Jack Sandner, who led the transition to computerized trading that made obsolete the chaotic trading pits of the Chicago futures exchanges, died at age 79 after a stroke. (Chicago Sun-Times)

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