Vilsack urges Brazil ‘in the strongest terms’ to speed up mad-cow testing
In stern terms, Agriculture Secretary Tom Vilsack told his Brazilian counterpart that beef trade between the nations hinges on prompt reporting of cattle diseases, especially mad cow disease. Earlier this year, Brazil reported two cases of atypical mad cow disease two months after they occurred, while most nations report the findings within days.
Whatever you call it, cultivated meat trails beef in consumers’ estimation
Americans declare beef is better than its plant-based or lab-grown alternatives from almost any standpoint, from taste to nutrition and environmental impact, said a Purdue University report on Wednesday. Consumers gave slightly higher scores to “lab-grown meat” as opposed to “cell-cultured meat,” although it is the same thing.
More states are incentivizing schools to buy local foods
A growing number of states are reimbursing schools for buying locally grown and produced foods in an effort to improve children’s diets while supporting local farmers. Before the pandemic, eight states and the District of Columbia had programs that subsidize local food purchases at schools — seven more states have added these programs since 2020.
TODAY’S QUICK HITS
Fund alt-proteins to curb global heating: Governments should invest in the development and mainstreaming of alternative proteins in order to cut emissions of methane, a potent greenhouse gas. (Climate Advisers)
Free lunch for Mass. kids: Massachusetts is the eighth state to make school meals permanently free for all students, regardless of family income. (AP)
Alaska’s seaweed economy: As climate change affects Alaska’s fishing industry, seaweed pioneers hope to establish the plant as a new revenue source, despite obstacles such as building a market. (Washington Post)
Low water on Mississippi: Water levels in the Mississippi River are 10-20 feet lower than usual at Memphis and St. Louis, the second summer in a row that low water is a potential impediment to grain exports. (RFD-TV)
Record Russian wheat exports: Due to an “unprecedented export pace” in the early months of the trade year, Russia, the world’s No. 1 wheat supplier, is forecast to export a record 48.1 million tonnes of wheat in 2023/24, up 2.5 percent from the previous year. (Sizov Report)
