USDA vaccination rate is lowest in federal government
Six of every seven USDA employees are partially or fully vaccinated against Covid-19 and the USDA says it expects that in the weeks ahead more will get vaccinated in compliance with the federal mandate. All the same, the USDA’s vaccination rate of 86.1 percent was the lowest among the 15 federal departments, according to the White House.
The ‘TRIC’ of fostering rural prosperity
Rural communities often look outside of their boundaries for the solution — a new employer or new residents — to their economic doldrums, say the editors of “Investing in Rural Prosperity,” published by the Federal Reserve Bank of St. Louis. “We believe rural communities are more likely to achieve these and other common community and economic development goals if … they build from the inside on the assets they already have.”
Today’s Quick Hits
Broadband funding: Some $1.15 billion in loans and grants through the ReConnect program is available to state and local governments, tribes and businesses to help bring high-speed internet service to rural areas. (USDA)
Sunny outlook: Deere and Co. reported net income of $5.96 billion for fiscal 2021, more than double its 2020 total, and projected income of up to $7 billion in 2022 on expectations of high demand for construction and farm equipment. (Deere)
Climate-resistant potatoes: Researchers at the University of Maine are working on new varieties of potatoes that can withstand the heavy rains and longer growing seasons that will result from climate change. (Associated Press)
Tapping syrup stockpile: Global demand for maple syrup is up but the harvest was small this year, so the Quebec Maple Syrup Producers, sometimes called the OPEC of syrup, has released 50 million pounds of syrup from its stockpile. (NPR)
Ukraine farming plot: North Dakotan Kurt Groszhans, who set up a farming company in Ukraine, was accused of plotting to assassinate the country’s agriculture minister. (Agweek)
On The Calendar
Monday
Farmdoc Daily webinar, “Grain market outlook for 2022,” noon ET. The webinar is part of Farmdoc’s 2021 Virtual Illinois Farm Economic Summit.
USDA releases the final Crop Progress report of the year, 4 p.m. ET. The weekly report will resume on April 4, 2022.
Tuesday
Chicago Federal Reserve Bank holds an online conference, “Biofuels in the Midwest: Today and tomorrow,” 11 a.m. ET. Keynote speaker is economist Scott Irwin of the University of Illinois.
Agricultural Retailers Association holds 2021 ARA Conference and Expo, through Thursday, San Antonio.
USDA releases monthly Agricultural Prices report, 3 p.m. ET.
Wednesday
USDA updates its forecast of U.S. farm income for this year, now estimated at $113 billion, the highest since 2013 due to high commodity prices and massive federal payments. USDA economist Carrie Litkowski will present a webinar on the report at 1 p.m. ET.
Senate Commerce Committee holds confirmation hearing on nominations of Jessica Rosenworcel and Alvaro Bedoya as members of the Federal Communications Commission, 10:15 a.m. ET, 253 Russell. Rosenworcel, who chairs the commission, is completing a five-year term.
Farmdoc Daily webinar, “Farm income outlook for 2022,” noon ET. The webinar is part of Farmdoc’s 2021 Virtual Illinois Farm Economic Summit.
Organic and Non-GMO Forum, through Thursday, Minneapolis.
OECD releases Economic Outlook, with analyses and projections for the world economy.
Thursday
The UN Food and Agriculture Organization releases monthly Food Price Index, measuring the monthly change in international prices for a basket of food commodities, Rome.
Friday
Farmdoc Daily webinar, “Supply bottlenecks and management decisions,” noon ET. The webinar is part of Farmdoc’s 2021 Virtual Illinois Farm Economic Summit.
Sunday
DTN holds an annual Ag Summit with the theme, “Power up your business,” through Dec. 7, Chicago.
