Food inflation rate falls for 14th month in a row
The U.S. food inflation rate was 3.3 percent over the past 12 months, one-third of its peak in August 2022, said the Labor Department on Tuesday. The food inflation rate was down 0.4 points from the previous month’s annualized rate of 3.7 percent and down for the 14th month in a row.
Security and affordability will be key for AI in agriculture
Artificial intelligence could improve agricultural productivity in myriad ways, from machines that zap weeds to crop-selection software. But its digital networks must be secure from attack or abuse, a panel of experts told senators on Tuesday. The panelists and members of the Senate Agriculture Committee agreed the technology must be within the financial grasp of farmers, possibly with the help of USDA cost-sharing funds.
Baby food is less toxic but still often contains pesticides
Non-organic baby food is less toxic than it was 30 years ago, but it still contains pesticides at least 38 percent of the time, according to a new report by the Environmental Working Group. EWG researchers noted that federal agencies have made strides in regulating pesticide contamination in baby food, but advised parents and caregivers to use caution at the grocery store. (No paywall.)
TODAY’S QUICK HITS
House passes farm bill extension: On a bipartisan vote of 336-95, the House passed a short-term government funding bill that included a one-year extension of the 2018 farm law, allowing more time for Congress to write its successor. (House Clerk)
Ag’s GHG emissions rise: Greenhouse gas emissions from U.S. agriculture “over the past three decades have been steadily rising,” although production became more efficient; climate change will push growing zones northward. (National Climate Assessment)
Change venue, asks Agri Stats: Analytics company Agri Stats, accused of antitrust violations in a Justice Department lawsuit filed in Minneapolis, filed a motion to move the trial to Chicago or northern Indiana, saying they were more convenient locations. (Meat and Poultry)
Biodiesel survives challenge: The boom in renewable diesel was expected to wipe out biodiesel producers, but they were more profitable than thought and biodiesel production has remained robust. (farmdoc daily)
Self-checkout woes: Big retailers such as Walmart and Wegmans have revised their policies on self-checkout because of complaints that the registers were impersonal and because of high loss rates from incorrect product codes, malfunctioning scanners, and outright theft. (CNN)
