White House points inflation finger at meatpackers
Grocery prices are climbing at their fastest pace since 2008, with beef, pork and poultry leading the way — up nearly 13 percent since last November, said the government’s new inflation report. The White House pinned the blame for surging meat prices on meatpackers “taking advantage of their market power to raise prices while increasing their own profit margins.”
Report: Intense pressure on land and water for agriculture
One-third of agricultural land worldwide, more than 2 million square miles in all, suffers from soil degradation caused by human use, said an FAO report on the mounting pressure on land and water for food production. “The pressures on soil, land and water are now intense and many are stressed to a critical point,” wrote FAO director general Qu Dongyu in a foreword.
Bioenergy build-out in Chesapeake Bay region spawns controversy
Bioenergy plants are rolling out across the nation, taking organic waste and turning it into energy and reducing greenhouse gas emissions. But the approach is not without controversy in regions like the Eastern Shore of the Chesapeake Bay, where biogas is closely tied with the poultry industry.
Today’s Quick Hits
‘Existential attack’ on unions: President Biden said he was deeply troubled by the Kellogg Company’s plan to permanently replace striking workers, and that he supported legislation to ban the practice. (White House)
Monsanto to plead guilty: Monsanto Co. agreed to plead guilty to 30 misdemeanor violations of pesticide laws and pay $12 million related to its use of a weedkiller on corn fields in Hawaii. (Justice Department)
Prop 12 lawsuit: California grocers, retailers and restaurateurs have asked the state to delay enforcement until 28 months after issuance of regulations for Prop 12. The voter-approved animal-welfare law bans sale of pork from other states that was not produced to the law’s standards. (Associated Press)
Danone stays mum: The owner of Horizon Organic has not responded to suggestions in recent weeks from organic farm groups that it mitigate the impact of its decision to end purchases of milk from 89 organic dairy farms in the Northeast. (NODPA)
Working around Covid-19: Many school districts relied mostly on processed foods in preparing meals during the pandemic, but some found creative ways to get fresh produce and locally grown food to students. (The 19th)
On The Calendar
Monday
Roger Leach, a vice president of U.S. Bank, discusses succession planning at a luncheon of The Chicago Farmers, 12:30 p.m. ET, Chicago.
First day of enrollment in USDA’s Dairy Margin Coverage subsidy. An expected $580 million will be made in retroactive payments to small and mid-sized farmers who expanded production in the past two years and who enroll this time. Enrollment ends Feb. 18.
Tuesday
Senate Health Committee holds confirmation hearing on Dr. Robert Califf, nominated to be FDA commissioner, 10 a.m. ET, G-50 Dirksen.
Iowa State University releases its 2021 Iowa Land Value Survey, 11 a.m. ET, Ames, Iowa.
Wednesday
USDA releases monthly Livestock, Dairy and Poultry Outlook, 3 p.m. ET.
Thursday
Farm Foundation hosts a virtual forum, “2022 Economic Outlook for Agriculture,” 9 a.m. ET, with speakers Kanlaya Barr, senior economist of Deere and Co.; associate professor Amanda Countryman of Colorado State University; Harry Vroomen, vice president of The Fertilizer Institute; and Dan Basse, president of AgResource Co.
Friday
USDA releases annual National Hop report, 3 p.m. ET.
