Farm bill should protect, strengthen crop insurance
The incoming Republican chairman of the House Agriculture Committee said the new farm bill should protect the federally subsidized crop insurance program and “maybe we need to see about strengthening it.” In some cases, crop insurance could preclude the need for stopgap bailouts, said Pennsylvania Rep. Glenn Thompson in a congressional Western Caucus video.
CO2 pipeline company plays hardball as Iowa counties fight back
Summit Carbon Solutions, one of the corporations hoping to build carbon dioxide pipelines across hundreds of miles of farmland, is suing to overturn county ordinances designed to protect residents in the proposed pipelines’ path.
Smallest Florida orange crop in 85 years
Hurricanes Ian and Nicole pummeled Florida’s orange groves this fall, resulting in the smallest orange crop since the 1937-38 season, according to a USDA estimate.
#Update
How drought upended a powerful farming district in California
For decades, Westlands Water District has led the fight against environmental rules that restrict the flow of water from California’s rivers to its farmers. But a slate of reform candidates has swept aside the old guard on Westlands board. The winning candidates, part of a self-described Change Coalition, are demanding that the district spend less time fighting legal and political battles and more time figuring out ways to live with less water.
TODAY’S QUICK HITS
‘A raging food catastrophe’: Some regions in the Horn of Africa are reaching catastrophic famine levels because of long-running drought and the surge in commodity prices. (InsideClimate News)
U.S. rejects WTO ruling: The WTO ruled that President Trump violated trade rules when he imposed tariffs on steel and aluminum imports, but the Biden administration said decisions made in the name of national security were immune from WTO review. (Politico)
Land restoration worldwide: In its first Restoration Barometer report, the International Union for Conservation of Nature said $26 billion has been invested in 18 countries to bring 54,000 square miles into restoration activities. (IUCN)
Red tape foils ‘Green Rush’: After a California state court invalidated dozens of licenses to grow marijuana, Trinity County officials have re-approved only 44 licenses, putting in doubt the idea of a thriving legal cannabis industry. (Los Angeles Times)
Surge in pork exports: In October exporters shipped the largest volume of pork since June 2021, aided by a revival in demand by China, but year-to-date sales of 2.18 million tonnes lagged 2021 by 12 percent. (USMEF)
ON THE CALENDAR
Monday
Agriculture Secretary Tom Vilsack announces the second round of awards through the Partnerships for Climate-Smart Commodities initiative, 1:45 p.m. ET, Macon County, Alabama. Awards will emphasize enrollment of small farming and ranching operations, reaching underserved producers, and carbon measuring, monitoring, reporting and verification activities developed at minority-serving institutions. The event will be live streamed at usda.gov/live.
Democratic leaders of the House and Senate Appropriations introduce government funding bill for the rest of fiscal 2023. It would succeed the short-term funding bill that expires on Friday.
DTN holds 2022 Ag Summit online, with the theme “Conquer the chaos,” through Dec. 13.
Tuesday
The Labor Department releases the monthly Consumer Price Index report, 8:30 a.m. ET. At present, the annual inflation rate is 7.7 percent and the food inflation rate is 10.9 percent.
Senate Agriculture subcommittee hearing, “Food as medicine: Current efforts and potential opportunities,” 10 a.m. ET, 328-A Russell.
House votes on H Res 1156, which commemorates the 20th year of the McGovern-Dole international school-food program “and its positive role in breaking cycles of hunger and poverty.”
Wednesday
Kansas City Mayor Quinton Lucas speaks at Agricultural Business Council of Kansas City luncheon, 12:30 p.m. ET.
USDA releases semi-annual North American Potatoes report, 3 p.m. ET. “The release includes area planted and harvested, yield, production, utilized production, market year average price, and value of sales for both countries,” says USDA.
Thursday
National Black Growers Council holds annual meeting, through Dec. 16, Memphis, Tennessee.
USDA releases annual Certified Organic Production report, noon ET. “Statistics included in this report are value of farms, land, value of sales, amount of crop harvested, production, and inventory,” says USDA.
USDA releases monthly Livestock, Dairy and Poultry Outlook, 3 p.m. ET.
Friday
USDA releases Vegetable and Pulses Outlook, 3 p.m. ET.
