Women dominate list of potential nominees for agriculture secretary
Obama-era officials and lawmakers top the list of potential nominees for agriculture secretary in the Biden administration, and, for the first time, most of the contenders are women. Former Sen. Heidi Heitkamp of North Dakota, co-founder of the One Country Project to boost Democratic support in rural America, was the most frequently mentioned name.
Robust U.S. economy, higher commodity prices in 2021, says USDA
A resurgent U.S. economy will grow at its fastest pace in two decades after this year’s coronavirus slowdown, helping to boost commodity prices almost across the board, said the USDA in its first projections for 2021. Growers will harvest a record-large crop of soybeans and the crop will sell for an average $10 a bushel for the first time in seven years, thanks to strong demand.
Costa makes it a two-man race for ag gavel
Eight-term Rep. Jim Costa, who represents an agricultural district around Fresno in California’s Central Valley, announced his candidacy for chairman of the House Agriculture Committee, saying the committee “should reflect the changing landscape of agriculture in the United States.”
TODAY’S QUICK HITS
Six House Ag races undecided: Democrats on the Agriculture Committee accounted for six of the 24 undecided House races as of Sunday night; Tom O’Halleran of Arizona, Kim Schrier of Washington State and Antonio Delgado and Sean Patrick Maloney of New York State were leading, while T.J. Cox of California and Anthony Brindisi of New York trailed. (FERN’s Ag Insider)
Potential risk of famine in four countries: Parts of four countries — Burkina Faso, South Sudan, Yemen and northeastern Nigeria — could slip into famine due to the combination of armed conflict, economic decline, extreme weather and the pandemic. (FAO-WFP)
Cut greenhouse gases from food production: A new study shows that reducing greenhouse gas emissions from food production, which generate 30 percent of global emissions, is crucial to limiting global warming. (New York Times)
More time asked in ethanol case: The EPA asked for more time to reply to a request by oil refiners for the Supreme Court to review a ruling that greatly limits the agency’s power to issue exemptions from Renewable Fuel Standard. (DTN/Progressive Farmer)
Deadline nears for fisherman aid: Monday is the deadline for fishermen, aquaculturists and seafood dealers and processors to apply for coronavirus aid, said the Maine Department of Marine Resources. (Associated Press)
ON THE CALENDAR
Monday
WTO General Council meets to select a new director general. Council leaders say the candidate best poised to attain consensus approval is Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala of Nigeria. The Trump administration backs South Korea’s trade minister, Yoo Myung-hee, for the post.
CME Group launches trading in Pork Cutout futures and options, Chicago.
USDA and the Farm Foundation sponsor “Emerging research on beginning farmers and ranchers conference,” through Tuesday, 9 a.m. ET.
Ohio State University holds Agricultural Policy and Outlook Conference, through Friday, noon ET.
Purdue professor Russell Hillberry speaks at The Chicago Farmers webinar on “How we must get farming right to avoid future crises,” 1 p.m. ET.
First day of Organic and Non-GMO Forum, through Tuesday. Jennifer Tucker, deputy administrator of USDA’s National Organic Program, is the opening speaker.
Association of Public and Land-grant Universities holds annual meetings, through Wednesday.
The Packer sponsors 2020 West Coast Produce Expo, through Friday.
USDA issues weekly Crop Progress report, 4 p.m. ET.
Tuesday
USDA releases monthly Crop Production and WASDE reports, noon ET. Traders expect USDA to reduce slightly its forecasts of the corn and soybean harvests due to lower yields per acre. Currently, the corn crop is estimated to be the second-largest ever and soybeans the fourth-largest on record. The soybean carry-over at the end of the marketing year next Aug. 31 would be a nearly normal 235-245 million bushels, two years after it was a record 909 million bushels, according to surveys by news agencies.
Wednesday
Veterans Day federal holiday. The observance began as Armistice Day, marking the end of armed conflict in World War I with a truce on the 11th hour of the 11th day of the 11 month of 1918. It was renamed Veterans Day in 1954 to commemorate the service of all military veterans. Armistice Day was observed informally beginning in 1919. Congress passed a resolution in 1926 for an annual observance, and in 1938 Nov. 11 became a federal holiday.
Purdue economists James Mintert and Michael Langemeier host a Corn and Soybean Outlook webinar to analyze the monthly USDA crop report, 11:30 a.m. ET.
U.S. Meat Export Federation holds annual Strategic Planning Conference online.
Thursday
Labor Department releases monthly Consumer Price Index, 8:30 a.m. ET.
Agricultural Business Council of Kansas City holds a webinar, “Post-election implications for agriculture,” 2 p.m. ET. Speakers will be Blake Hurst, president of the Missouri Farm Bureau; Ron Seeber, chief executive of the Kansas Ag Retailers Association; and Sara Wyant, editor in chief of Agri-Pulse.
Waterways Council holds Annual Waterways Symposium online.
Friday
USDA releases monthly Oil Crops Outlook, noon ET.
USDA releases monthly Feed Outlook, Rice Outlook and Wheat Outlook, 3 p.m. ET.
