Biden taps long-time USDA scientist to oversee food safety
Jose Esteban, the chief scientist at USDA’s meat inspection agency, is President Biden’s choice to become agriculture undersecretary for food safety, announced the White House. If confirmed by the Senate, Esteban would be the USDA leader on issues ranging from prevention of food-borne illness to regulation of cell-cultured meat, now approaching commercialization.
Califf nominated to run FDA for a second time
Dr. Robert Califf, who led the FDA during the last year of the Obama administration, would run the agency again if the Senate agrees with President Biden’s nomination. The president said Califf “has the experience and expertise to lead the Food and Drug Administration during a critical time in our nation’s fight to put an end to the coronavirus pandemic.”
Agriculture emerges from COP26 with focus on methane and innovation
The USDA would work with farmers to reduce agricultural emissions of methane, said the White House in describing the domestic impact of the UN climate summit in Scotland. The United States also is a leader in the Agricultural Innovation Mission for Climate, designed to accelerate breakthroughs in climate-smart farm production.
Today’s Quick Hits
New Deere offer: The UAW said 10,000 striking workers at Deere and Co. will vote on a proposed contract, the third offer from the world’s largest farm equipment manufacturer, “that includes modest modifications” to a contract voted down on Nov. 2. (UAW)
Never-ending Covid: For a year and a half, the San Joaquin Valley of California has been a perennial hotspot for Covid-19, a result of low vaccination rates, poverty, politics and a shortage of doctors, hospitals and pharmacies. (Los Angeles Times)
Rural drugstore deserts: Rural America is losing its pharmacies due to consolidation and price pressures, leaving 41 million people without easy access to a drugstore. (Washington Post)
Dicamba misuse cited: In the first enforcement action by the EPA over dicamba label violations, Nutrien Ag Solutions, based in Colorado, will pay a $668,100 penalty for applying two dicamba products “in a manner inconsistent with the approved label” instructions on at least 27 occasions. (DTN/Progressive Farmer)
Hatch to ISS: Astronauts threw a taco party to celebrate their first harvest of seven Hatch peppers grown on the International Space Station, part of a larger experiment in growing fresh fruits and vegetables to supplement the packaged food sent on space missions. (High Country News)
On The Calendar
Monday
President Biden signs a $1.2 trillion infrastructure bill, which includes $65 billion to expand access to high-speed internet nationwide. Biden and Chinese President Xi Jinping are to meet online on Monday evening. “The two leaders will discuss ways to responsibly manage the competition between the United States and the PRC, as well as ways to work together where our interests align,” said the White House. “Throughout, President Biden will make clear U.S. intentions and priorities and be clear and candid about our concerns with the PRC.”
Council for Agricultural Science and Technology releases a commentary, “Gains foregone by going GMO-free: Potential impacts on consumers, the environment and agricultural producers.” The commentary will be available at the CAST website. CAST will hold a webinar on the commentary on Tuesday at 1 p.m. ET. To register for the webinar.
The National Biodiesel Board holds membership meeting, through Wednesday, Washington.
The American Bankers Association holds National Agricultural Bankers conference, through Wednesday, Cincinnati.
Joint annual meeting of National Dairy Board, National Milk Producers Federation and Dairy Management Inc., through Wednesday, Las Vegas.
USDA releases weekly Crop Progress report, 4 p.m. ET.
Tuesday
House Agriculture subcommittee hearing, “A look at the renewable economy in rural America,” 10 a.m. ET, 1300 Longworth.
Senate Energy and Natural Resources Committee hearing on domestic and international energy price trends, 10 a.m. ET, 366 Dirksen. Witnesses include Stephen Nalley, acting administrator of the U.S. Energy Information Agency, and Tim Gould, chief energy economist at the International Energy Agency.
Farms.com holds 2021 Virtual Precision Agriculture Conference and ag-technology showcase, through Thursday.
USDA releases monthly Livestock, Dairy and Poultry Outlook, 3 p.m. ET.
Wednesday
House Agriculture subcommittee hearing, “Trade policies and priorities,” 10 a.m. ET, 1300 Longworth.
Senate Agriculture Committee holds confirmation hearing on nominations of Chavonda Jacobs-Young to be agriculture undersecretary for research and Margo Schlanger to be assistant secretary for civil rights, 10:30 a.m. ET, 301 Russell.
Senate Environment and Public Works Committee holds confirmation hearing on Martha Williams, nominated to be director of the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service.
The National Association of Farm Broadcasters holds annual convention, through Friday, Kansas City.
Sustainable Agriculture Summit, through Thursday, Las Vegas. Speakers include Deputy Agriculture Secretary Jewel Bronaugh.
USDA releases “Rural America at a Glance: 2021 Edition,” 3 p.m. ET. The Economic Research Service will hold a webinar on the report on Thursday at 1 p.m. ET.
Thursday
Ohio State University holds Agricultural Policy and Outlook Conference online, through Friday.
Missouri Governor’s Conference on Agriculture, through Friday, Osage Beach.
USDA’s Biotechnology Regulatory Service holds annual stakeholder’s meeting online, 1 p.m. ET.
Friday
USDA releases Vegetable and Pulses Outlook and monthly Cattle on Feed report, 3 p.m. ET.
