USDA: Strong U.S. economy, but falling crop prices in 2022
The red-hot U.S. recovery from the pandemic, with the fastest economic growth rate since 1984, will moderate to a still-strong 3.5 percent in 2022, said the USDA in its first look at the agricultural economy in the new year. Farm-gate prices for corn, soybeans, wheat and cotton, the four most widely planted crops, were projected to decline as production, suppressed by the pandemic, catches up with demand.
A court decision may help endangered orcas, but Alaskan fishermen are wary
The U.S. District Court in Seattle seemed to offer endangered orca whales a lifeline in September when it issued a preliminary decision that might make more wild king salmon available to the marine mammals. But while the court decision is expected to help orcas, it may be bad news for fishermen.
Infrastructure package will fund high-speed internet throughout U.S.
The $1.2-trillion infrastructure bill passed by Congress over the weekend will upgrade U.S. roads, bridges and ports while making high-speed internet available throughout the nation, said President Biden. An estimated one-third of rural households lack access to the internet at what the White House described as minimally acceptable speeds.
Today’s Quick Hits
‘A pretty robust response’: Agriculture Secretary Tom Vilsack said there was “a pretty robust response” among USDA employees to a requirement that they be vaccinated by Nov. 22 against Covid-19 or to request an exemption. “We’re confident … that most of the folks at USDA will be vaccinated.” (Ag Insider)
Wojciechowski confirmed for USDA: The Senate confirmed Biden nominee Adrienne Wojciechowski, a veteran Senate staff worker, as USDA assistant secretary of congressional relations. (Senate Ag)
Vote set on Bonnie: The Senate majority leader filed a cloture motion to force a vote on the nomination of Robert Bonnie, the USDA climate adviser, for undersecretary for farm production and conservation. (Senate)
‘Encouraged’ on SREs: Biofuel groups Growth Energy and the Renewable Fuels Association said they were encouraged by the EPA’s rejection of an oil industry request for a hardship exemption from the ethanol mandate. (RFA)
Tracking cell-cultured meat: By one estimate, more than 70 startup companies around the world are working on cell-cultured meat, seafood and related products. (Food Dive)
On The Calendar
Monday
Western Growers Association holds annual meeting, through Wednesday, San Diego.
Adam Nielsen, national policy director for the Illinois Farm Bureau, speaks online to The Chicago Farmers, 12:30 p.m. ET.
USDA releases weekly Crop Progress report, 4 p.m. ET.
Tuesday
USDA releases monthly Crop Production and WASDE reports, noon ET. Traders expect the record-large soybean crop will be 4.484 billion bushels, a bit more than 1-percent larger than the mark set in 2018. With a larger harvest, the soybean carryover at the end of this marketing year would jump to 362 million bushels, twice as large as USDA forecast two months ago and equal to more than a four-week supply.
Wednesday
House Agriculture subcommittee online hearing, “Hunger among veterans and service members: Understanding the problem and evaluating solutions,” noon ET.
House Science subcommittee online hearing, “Weathering the storm: Reauthorizing the National Windstorm Impact Reduction Program, 10 a.m. ET. Witnesses include Scott Weaver, director of the windstorm program.
The Labor Department releases the monthly Consumer Price Index report, 8:30 a.m. ET.
Association of Equipment Manufacturers holds annual conference, through Friday, Phoenix.
U.S. Meat Export Federation holds Strategic Planning Conference, through Friday, Carlsbad, California.
Thursday
Designated Armistice Day by President Wilson in 1919, Nov. 11 has been a federal holiday since 1938. It was renamed Veterans Day by President Eisenhower 1954 and honors all military veterans. The armistice that ended World War I took effect on the “eleventh hour of the eleventh day of the eleventh month” of 1918, giving Nov. 11 its original name in honor of the war dead. There are more than 18 million living U.S. veterans, 7 million of them from the Vietnam War, says History.com. Europe, Britain, Canada and Australia commemorate the veterans of the two world wars on or near Nov. 11.
Friday
U.S. trade representative Katherine Tai and Chairman Richard Neal of the House Ways and Means Committee discuss the Biden administration’s trade agenda and key priorities at an event hosted by the New England Council and the University of Massachusetts, 5 p.m. ET, Boston.
Nov. 14
American Bankers Association holds the annual National Agricultural Bankers conference, through Nov. 17, Cincinnati.
National Dairy Board, National Milk Producers Federation and Dairy Management Inc. hold joint annual meetings, through Nov. 17, Las Vegas.
