With eye on Ukraine, G7 ag ministers warn against food hoarding and profiteering
To mitigate the impact of war in Ukraine on global food supplies, the G7’s agriculture ministers called on all nations to keep their trade channels open and to guard against unjustified limits on exports. “We will not tolerate artificially inflated prices that could diminish the availability of food and agricultural products,” said the ministers in a statement after a special meeting convened via the internet.
Bird flu found in Illinois and Kansas
“High path” bird flu was identified in backyard flocks in central Illinois and eastern Kansas, said a USDA agency on Saturday. The outbreak in Franklin County, Kansas, about 55 miles southwest of Kansas City, was the farthest west that highly pathogenic avian influenza (HPAI) has been confirmed in a domestic flock this year.
$250 million in USDA grants to boost fertilizer output
The Agriculture Department will launch a $250-million-dollar grant program this summer to support “independent, innovative and sustainable” fertilizer production at home and to reduce reliance on imports. The USDA also said it would launch a public inquiry into concentration in the seed and agricultural input, fertilizer and retail markets.
Today’s Quick Hits
Climate-smart extension: Pointing to “a high level of interest,” the USDA allowed an additional four weeks for proposals of large-budget pilot projects for climate-smart commodities, and two additional weeks for small-budget projects. (Farm Service Agency)
Pork checkoff reduction: Delegates at the annual Pork Forum approved a reduction in the pork checkoff rate to 35 cents per $100 of value of live hogs, from the current 40 cents, effective Jan. 1. (National Pork Board)
Rural Covid drop: New cases of Covid-19 in rural America are down 90 percent from the peak in mid-January of the omicron variant. (Daily Yonder)
Kelp farming paperwork: Anyone wanting a permit to grow and harvest seaweed in Washington State has to deal with nine agencies and a tangle of red tape — and many other coastal states have a similar system. (Stateline)
DeLauro has Covid-19: House Appropriations chair Rosa DeLauro said she is working from her home in Connecticut while recovering from Covid-19, and “grateful for the protection that comes from being vaccinated and boosted.” (DeLauro)
On The Calendar
Monday
Deputy Agriculture Secretary Jewel Bronaugh and House Majority Whip Jim Clyburn join South Carolina farmers to discuss USDA efforts to promote equity in its programs, 1:30 p.m. ET, North Charleston, South Carolina.
The National Grain and Feed Association hosts its 126th annual convention, through Tuesday, Charleston, South Carolina.
USDA releases annual North American Grain and Oilseed Crushings report, 3 p.m. ET.
Tuesday
Four cabinet secretaries — Health Secretary Xavier Becerra, Education Secretary Michael Cardona, Housing Secretary Marcia Fudge and Agriculture Secretary Tom Vilsack — along with Susan Rice, head of the White House Domestic Policy Council, are opening speakers at the 2022 Virtual National Anti-Hunger Policy Conference. The conference, sponsored by Feeding America and the Food Research and Action Center, runs through Thursday.
Deputy Agriculture Secretary Jewel Bronaugh visits Sanders Clyde Elementary School and discusses USDA “efforts to ensure American children continue to have access to healthy meals at schools across the nation,” 10:50 a.m. ET, Charleston, South Carolina.
Deadline for enrollment in USDA’s Agriculture Risk Coverage and Price Loss Coverage subsidy programs, or to file an acreage report to receive a premium benefit through the Pandemic Cover Crop Program.
USDA releases monthly Livestock, Dairy and Poultry Outlook, 3 p.m. ET.
Wednesday
House Agriculture Committee hearing, “A 2022 review of the farm bill: The role of USDA programs in addressing climate change,” 10 a.m. ET.
Chief Randy Moore of the U.S. Forest Service and songwriter Carol King are lead witnesses at House Oversight and Reform Committee hearing, “Fighting fire with fire: Evaluating the role of forest management in reducing catastrophic wildfires,” 10 a.m. ET, 2154 Rayburn.
House Science subcommittee hearing, “Bioenergy research and development for the fuels and chemicals of tomorrow,” 10 a.m. ET, 2318 Rayburn.
Jury selection is scheduled to begin in the federal trial in Los Angeles of Rep. Jeff Fortenberry, Nebraska Republican, who is accused of lying to the FBI about his knowledge of an illegal campaign donation. Fortenberry has pleaded not guilty.
USDA releases semi-annual Hops Stocks report, 3 p.m. ET.
Thursday
Agriculture Secretary Tom Vilsack speaks on USDA’s “robust efforts to tackle nutrition insecurity” at Teachers College, Columbia University, New York City.
International Grains Council releases monthly Grain Market Report, London.
Friday
USDA releases annual Honey report, 3 p.m. ET.
Sunday
Spring equinox, also called the vernal equinox, “marks the turning point when daylight begins to win out over darkness,” says the Farmers’ Almanac, with more hours of daylight than nighttime. The summer solstice, when daylight reaches its maximum, will be June 21.
