Bird flu takes a summer vacation
The outbreak of highly pathogenic avian influenza that killed a record 58.8 million birds in domestic flocks and drove up egg prices in 2022 and early 2023 has faded during the summer months, said USDA data published on Monday. Only three outbreaks, totaling 1,860 birds, have been discovered since Memorial Day, according to USDA’s online list of confirmed cases.
Vocal opponents aim to defeat EATS Act
The campaign by farm-state lawmakers for a federal override of California’s Proposition 12 animal welfare law, derided as a “bacon ban,” has run into back-home opposition. Activist farm groups say the override, known as the EATS Act, imperils small farmers and must be kept out of the farm bill.
TODAY’S QUICK HITS
Conservatives target farm programs: The annual USDA-FDA funding bill was sidelined in the House as conservatives demand steep cuts in agricultural programs as well as SNAP, sources said, another signal of heavy going for the farm bill. (Politico)
Ukrainian grain by sea: After a successful test of a “humanitarian corridor” hugging the Black Sea’s west coast, Ukraine is considering whether the route can be used to restore grain shipments from high-volume ports such as Odesa. (Reuters)
Hearings examine carbon pipeline: Summit Carbon Solutions’ proposal to build a carbon pipeline and use eminent domain power to cross private property faces review by the Iowa Utility Board. (DTN/Progressive Farmer)
California faces methane conundrum: California’s goal of reducing methane emissions from dairy and livestock by 40 percent could be hampered by a lack of data on individual farms. (InsideClimate News)
French fry boom town: Water shortages could threaten the position of Othello, in semi-arid central Washington state, as the world’s largest producer of frozen french fries, hash brown, and tater tots. (Washington Post)
