Poor nations losing food purchasing power
The wealthy nations of the world will spend $1.2 trillion this year on food imports that include meat, fish, coffee and spices, while poorer nations tighten their belts and focus on staple foods such as grains, said the UN Food and Agriculture Organization. “The decline in food import volumes is a concerning development,” said the report, “suggesting a decline in purchasing capacity.”
Senate bill boosts regional ‘seeds and breeds’
The USDA would offer at least $75 million a year for the development of regionally adapted plant seeds and livestock breeds at public universities under a bill filed by five senators. Sponsors said regional diversity would make the U.S. food chain more resilient and more productive.
TODAY’S QUICK HITS
Less money for subsidies: The government sent $45.7 billion in trade war and pandemic relief payments to farmers, and analyst Jonathan Coppess warns against expectations that the 2023 farm bill will deliver large payments in the future. (farmdoc daily)
2023 is heating up: This year “is now more likely than not” — a 54-percent chance — of becoming the warmest on record, due in part to development of an El Niño weather pattern, which is expected to moderately boost global temperatures in 2023 and 2024. (Berkeley Earth)
‘Carbon is profitable’: Two prominent ag leaders, Tom Buis and Collin Peterson, are the top officers of American Carbon Alliance, which promotes carbon capture pipelines as an important way to make corn ethanol a low-carbon fuel. (Agweek)
DFA splits from IDFA: The cooperative Dairy Farmers of America withdrew membership from the International Dairy Foods Association because the IDFA proposed an increase in so-called make allowances for processors that is contrary to “the best interests of our farmer owners.” (Agri-Pulse)
Lusk becomes OSU dean: Oklahoma State University selected Jayson Lusk, now head of the agricultural economics department at Purdue, as its dean and vice president of agricultural sciences and natural resources, beginning in early August. (Oklahoma Farm Report)
