USDA suggests bird flu strategy is winning, but not everyone agrees
Although California reported outbreaks of bird flu in 12 dairy herds last week, most states have gone weeks without new cases being discovered, including those with high levels of scrutiny, according to USDA data. Agriculture deputy undersecretary Eric Deeble cited Colorado and Michigan as examples of the tailing off of infections and said during a multi-agency teleconference that “this decrease gives us confidence” of eliminating the virus in dairy cattle by isolating herds.
War devastates agriculture in Gaza
Two-thirds of the cropland in the Gaza Strip has been damaged by shelling, razing, and vehicle traffic since armed conflict began a year ago in the territory, said two UN agencies. The escalating agricultural damage exacerbated a food shortage, said the Food and Agriculture Organization and the UN Satellite Center.
TODAY’S QUICK HITS
Farms most at risk: The farms most likely to feel financial stress from the spate of lower crop prices are those with less experienced operations, that lease most of their land, with high debt-to-asset ratios, and little off-farm income, said two analysts. (farmdoc daily)
Dairy resilience funding: Agriculture Secretary Tom Vilsack announced $11 million in grants through the Dairy Business Innovations initiative to support small and mid-sized dairy businesses to develop, produce, market, and distribute dairy products. (USDA)
Obesity rate hits plateau: The current U.S. obesity rate of 40.3 percent may be nominally lower than the 41.9 percent of 2017-20, “but the change is too small to say for sure,” although it suggests that the increase in the use of anti-obesity drugs may be a reason. (Axios)
Sugar fuels price index: The Food Price Index rose 3 percent, its largest increase in 18 months, led by a 10 percent increase in sugar prices in the past month, driven by worsening crop conditions in Brazil and doubts about sugar exports from India. (Food and Agriculture Organization)
ON THE CALENDAR
Monday
Under a resolution approved by the Senate, this is National 4-H Week.
U.S. Grains Council, Growth Energy, and Renewable Fuels Association hold Export Exchange, through Wednesday, Fort Worth, Texas.
USDA holds 2024 Research Innovation and Development Grants in Economics Conference, 8 a.m. ET. The all-day conference “will feature new economic research aimed at enhancing food security and dietary quality for low-income Americans,” said the USDA.
USDA releases weekly Crop Progress report, 4 p.m. ET.
Wednesday
Meat Institute holds Protein PACT Summit, “the premier event for meat industry leaders,” through Saturday, Austin, Texas.
Thursday
The Labor Department releases monthly Consumer Price Index report, 8:30 a.m. ET. At present, the food inflation rate is 2.1 percent and the overall U.S. inflation rate is 2.5 percent.
Gregg Doud, chief executive of the National Milk Producers Federation, speaks at a lunch meeting of the Agricultural Business Council of Kansas City, 12:30 p.m. ET, Olathe, Kansas.
Friday
USDA releases monthly Crop Production and WASDE reports, noon ET. A month ago, the USDA forecast the second-largest corn and soybean crops on record.
Oct. 14
A federal holiday since 1937, Columbus Day commemorates the arrival of the Italian explorer in the Americas in 1492, and by extension, the contributions of Italian-Americans to the United States. The holiday has been controversial for decades and many alternatives have been proposed, such as Indigenous Peoples’ Day, says History.com.
The School Nutrition Association holds National School Lunch Week, through Oct. 18.