Water reuse may become part of USDA programs
As part of an administration initiative, the USDA will consider including reused water, also known as recycled or reclaimed water, in its land stewardship and community development programs. “Water reuse is going to be how agriculture continues to increase productivity while decreasing our environmental footprint,” said Agriculture Secretary Sonny Perdue on Thursday.
Pork to replace soybeans on China’s shopping list
China can satisfy two objectives — filling a huge gap in its meat supply and complying with the “phase one” trade agreement with the United States — by buying American-grown pork, say two Iowa State University economists.
Are foodborne-illness outbreaks getting worse, or is detection getting better?
From lettuce to cookies, avocados to cheesecake, the last few years have seen a number of high-profile food recalls. According to the CDC, an estimated 48 million Americans get sick each year from foodborne illnesses. But the question of whether such outbreaks are getting worse is complicated, due to a combination of improved detection technology, a looser approach to regulation, and growing consolidation in the food industry.
TODAY’S QUICK HITS
Torres Small is new ag panelist (House Agriculture): House Democratic leaders assigned Rep. Xochitl Torres Small of New Mexico to the House Agriculture Committee to replace Rep. Jeff Van Drew of New Jersey, who changed party affiliation during the impeachment of President Trump.
States get ‘options’ on hemp labs and disposal (USDA): As expected, the USDA will delay until 2021 a requirement that laboratories obtain DEA registration if they test hemp for THC content and said farmers would be allowed to dispose of hemp that exceeds THC limits through methods that include plowing and composting.
Growers shift to corn (Farm Futures): In a late January survey, farmers indicated they will plant 96.6 million acres of corn and 80.6 million acres of soybeans this spring, compared to USDA projections of 94 million acres of corn and 85 million acres of soybeans.
Record world wheat crop forecast (IGC): Aided by India’s largest wheat harvest ever, world wheat production will rise to a record 769 million tonnes in 2020/21, up nearly 1 percent from this year, said the monthly Grain Market Report.
EPA mulling RFS path (Reuters): The EPA has not yet decided how to respond to an appellate court ruling that it should reconsider some Renewable Fuel Standard exemptions granted to small refineries, said administrator Andrew Wheeler.
