Bird flu viral fragments in milk were dead; pasteurization works
Although fragments of the H5N1 bird flu virus were found in one-fifth of milk purchased in grocery stores, a new round of high-precision testing “did not detect any live, infectious virus” and reaffirmed that the commercial milk supply is safe, said the FDA.
Meanwhile, bird flu was found in a dairy herd in Colorado, the ninth state since the disease was identified for the first time in cattle a month ago.
New USDA rule limits salmonella bacteria allowed in raw breaded chicken
Raw chicken will be rejected as an ingredient in making breaded, stuffed chicken products if there is too much salmonella bacteria in the meat — a step to protect consumers from food-borne illness, said the Agriculture Department. The rule, which would take effect in a year, is the first to name salmonella as an adulterant in a class of raw poultry products.
TODAY’S QUICK HITS
Long-running water heist: Prosecutors accuse the former general manager of the Panoche Water District of stealing $25 million worth of water from a federal canal and selling it to farmers and water districts for two decades. (Los Angeles Times)
‘Placeholder’ GREET model: Agriculture Secretary Tom Vilsack said the GREET provisions expected from the Treasury Department on Tuesday will be a placeholder for the 40B credit for fuel being produced this year. (Brownfield)
Most carbon dioxide escapes: The carbon capture utilization and storage equipment at an ADM ethanol plant in Decatur, Illinois, captured 10-12 percent of carbon dioxide emissions from the plant over the past decade; the rest escaped into the atmosphere. (Oil and Gas Watch)
Electronic ID rule: To enhance traceability in case of disease, a new USDA rule requires visually and electronically readable eartags for dairy cattle, sexually intact cattle and bison over 18 months old, and cattle and bison used in rodeos and livestock shows; free tags are available from USDA. (Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service)
Solar grows on Midwest farms: The boom in solar farms worries some Midwestern farmers, landowners, and economists about the loss of productive cropland, although the amount of land involved is small. (Reuters)
ON THE CALENDAR
Monday
International Food Policy Research Institute holds a webinar, “The latest innovations in global crop mapping,” 10 a.m. ET.
National Association of Farm Broadcasting holds Washington Watch, a series of meetings with administration officials, including Agriculture Secretary Tom Vilsack and EPA administrator Michael Regan; lawmakers, including House Agriculture chair Glenn Thompson and Senate Agriculture chair Debbie Stabenow; and trade groups, through May 1, Washington.
The National Organic Standards Board holds spring meeting, through May 1, Milwaukee.
International Fresh Produce Association holds Consumer Connection Conference, through Wednesday, Phoenix.
USDA releases monthly Agricultural Prices report, 3 p.m. ET.
USDA releases weekly Crop Progress report, 4 p.m. ET
Tuesday
Farm Foundation holds an online forum, “Unwrapping packaging regulations impacting agricultural trade and sustainability,” 10 a.m. ET. Speakers are Tamara Muruetagoiena of the International Fresh Produce Association, Jeffrey Brandenburg of JSB Group, Jason Grant of Virginia Tech, and Kevin Kelly of Emerald Packaging.
The Special Commission on Agriculture in the Commonwealth in the 21st Century, created by the Massachusetts legislature, holds a hearing online about the challenges and opportunities of using renewable energy on farms.
Wednesday
May Day “just might have more holidays than any other day of the year,” says Infoplease. May 1 is a traditional day to celebrate spring, it’s a day for organized labor, it’s a day for political protests, and in many countries it is a national holiday. In Hawaii, it is Lei Day, to celebrate Hawaiian culture. During the Cold War, there were attempts to cast the day, claimed by workers and activists of many types including socialists, in support of law and the established order; President Eisenhower issued a Loyalty Day proclamation for May 1, 1958.
EPA Administrator Michael Regan is lead witness at Senate Appropriations subcommittee hearing on the proposed fiscal 2025 budget for the agency, 2 p.m. ET, 192 Dirksen.
Hartnell College Foundation holds the annual Western Food Safety Conference, through May 2, Salinas, California.
USDA releases Flour Milling-Annual report, 3 p.m. ET.
Thursday
Interior Secretary Deb Haaland is lead witness at the Senate Energy and Natural Resources Committee hearing on the proposed fiscal 2025 budget for the Interior Department, 10 a.m. ET, 366 Dirksen.
Friday
The UN Food and Agriculture Organization releases monthly Food Price Index, Rome.
