Vilsack says USDA and White House close to deal on biofuel aid – December 6, 2021

Vilsack says USDA and White House close to deal on biofuel aid

Agriculture Secretary Tom Vilsack said the administration appeared “very close” to releasing a long-promised $700 million in pandemic aid to biofuel producers. The aid was announced in March as part of a remodeling of coronavirus relief programs by the incoming administration.

House to vote on cattle contract library, a marketing reform

A bill to require USDA reports on the number of cattle being delivered under contract for slaughter by meatpackers will be called for a House vote on Tuesday. It will be debated under provisions that prohibit amendments and require a two-thirds majority for passage, an approach usually reserved for bills that are noncontroversial.

Today’s Quick Hits

Bob Dole dies: Former Sen. Bob Dole of Kansas, a staunch supporter of public nutrition programs who had an international food aid program named in his honor, died at age 98. (New York Times)

Dry Klamath wells: Farmers in the Klamath River basin have tapped groundwater so heavily, because of drought and restrictions on drawing irrigation water from the river, that wells serving more than 280 homes in Klamath County have dried up. (The Counter)

Export promotion grants: The Foreign Agricultural Service awarded $202 million, from the Market Access Program and the Foreign Market Development Program, for promotion of U.S. farm products overseas. (USDA)

More conservation money: Senate Democrats put an additional $2 billion for technical assistance on land stewardship into their version of the “build back better” bill. (Agri-Pulse)

On The Calendar

Monday
Farmdoc Daily webinar, “Farmland values and rental rates for 2022,” noon ET. The webinar is part of Farmdoc’s 2021 Virtual Illinois Farm Economic Summit.
National Grazing Lands Coalition holds its eighth annual conference, through Thursday, Myrtle Beach, South Carolina.
American Seed Trade Association holds CSS and Seed Expo 2021, through Thursday, Chicago.

Tuesday
House will vote on five bills with agricultural impact, say House leaders. Most prominent among the bills are HR 5290, to keep the livestock reporting system in operation, and HR 5609, to set up a cattle contract library at USDA.
Purdue releases monthly Ag Economy Barometer.
Senate Commerce subcommittee hearing, “Uncharted waters: Challenges posed by ocean shipping supply chains,” 10 a.m. ET, 253 Russell.
National Grain and Feed Association holds 50th annual Country Elevator Conference, through Thursday, Chicago.

Wednesday
House Agriculture subcommittee hearing, “Review of USDA food distribution programs,” 10 a.m. ET, 1300 Longworth. F
USDA releases monthly Crop Production and WASDE reports, noon ET. Traders expect USDA to forecast marginally smaller consumption of U.S. wheat and soybeans supplies and modestly larger use of corn. The fall harvest is over, so USDA is unlikely to change its forecast that this year’s corn and soybean crops would be the second-largest on record.
USDA releases “America’s diverse family farms: 2021 edition,” 3 p.m. ET. The department will host a webinar to discuss the report at 4 p.m. ET.

Thursday
Plant Based Foods Association holds Plant Based World Expo, New York City, through Friday.

Friday
Farmdoc Daily webinar, “Policy update for 2022,” noon ET. The webinar is part of Farmdoc’s 2021 Virtual Illinois Farm Economic Summit.

The Labor Department releases the monthly Consumer Price Index report, 8:30 a.m. ET.

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