USDA would reform ‘tournament’ system in poultry production
Poultry farmers would have more protection against abuse by processors under a USDA proposal to revamp the “tournament” system that pits producers against each other in a competition for income, said the Biden administration on Thursday. The administration also announced $200 million in funding to help independent meat processors go into business or expand production.
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U.S. files new challenge to Canada’s dairy quotas
Accusing Canada of backsliding on its commitments, the United States requested consultations on Wednesday with its northern neighbor over dairy import quotas that limit American access to the Canadian market.
USDA raises food inflation forecast for fourth month in a row
Bird flu outbreaks are driving up egg and poultry meat prices far faster than usual, with eggs expected to cost 20 percent more and poultry 9 percent more this year than their 2021 averages, said the Agriculture Department on Wednesday.
Group funds half a million acres of cover crops in Midwest
The National Fish and Wildlife Foundation announced $2.6 million in grants on Wednesday to help farmers plant cover crops across 500,000 acres in Illinois, Indiana, Iowa, Kansas, Michigan, and Minnesota.
TODAY’S QUICK HITS
Groundwater conservation: Colorado Gov. Jared Polis signed two bills this week that direct $60 million of federal Covid-19 relief money to groundwater conservation projects in agricultural regions including the Republican River basin, which extends from eastern Colorado into Kansas and Nebraska. (Colorado Newsline).
Microplastics in fertilizers: One of the major but least-known sources of microplastic pollution is synthetic fertilizers and pesticides used in industrial agriculture. (Center for International Environmental Law)
Runoff to challenge Bishop: Real estate developer Chris West and political commentator Jeremy Hunt advanced to the Republican runoff election on June 21 for the GOP nomination to run against Rep. Sanford Bishop, a 15-term Democrat, in southwestern Georgia. (Atlanta Journal-Constitution)
India wheat crop falters: A long-running heat wave will lower India’s wheat crop to 99 million tonnes in 2022/23, down from the previously expected 110 million tonnes, reducing the chances that India could help offset the loss of exports from Ukraine. (USDA)
Infant formula assistance: To ease the infant formula shortage, the USDA said it would pay the difference in price if WIC participants buy an alternative — such as Gerber or Rickett Mead Johnson — when the state-contracted size, form, or brand is not available. (USDA)
