Presidential election in Mexico could change corn policy
Mexico might review, and potentially remove, its ban on imports of genetically modified white corn following its presidential election on June 2, said Agriculture Secretary Tom Vilsack on Sunday. “That would be my hope,” said Vilsack. The new president, likely to be a woman for the first time, would take office on Oct. 1.
Despite the hype, COP28 likely to say little about agriculture and climate
As they seek consensus for action against global warming, negotiators at the UN climate summit may skip over food and agriculture while assembling a final statement on climate adaptation, said Agriculture Secretary Tom Vilsack on Sunday. Instead, food and agriculture’s contribution to COP28 would be a non-binding endorsement of sustainable production, unveiled on the opening day of the summit in Dubai.
#OMG
Rejecting Hindu nationalism in India, and enjoying a juicy steak
Increasingly, I eat beef with a kind of double consciousness. Where once the meat was all about my rightful rebellion and gastronomic pleasure, it now trails with it other disturbing threads. Beef brings to mind the state of the planet, of a cataclysmic climate change precipitated further by our excessive consumption of meat. But beef also reminds me that in today’s India, dominated entirely now by a Hindu-right government led by prime minister Narendra Modi, eating beef, or possessing it, or desiring to eat it, is a sign of one’s inferiority, evidence that one is not Hindu, not really Indian, and perhaps not even fully human. Beef might be killing the planet, but in India, for reasons that have nothing to do with climate change or a balanced diet, beef can get a human being killed.
TODAY’S QUICK HITS
HPAI slows egg output: The recent outbreaks of Highly Pathogenic Avian Influenza will reduce U.S. egg production by 60 million dozen, or 0.6 percent, in 2024, but output still would exceed the 2023 total. (USDA)
Three-year climate roadmap: At the UN climate summit, the FAO released a three-year roadmap to achieve food security and constrain global warming through more efficient food production and a “rebalancing” of global diets. (Food and Agriculture Organization)
USDA’s disaster-aid math: Responding to congressional complaints, the USDA said nearly 170,000 farmers received larger payments and almost 66,000 received smaller payments because of its decision to focus 2022 disaster relief on smaller operators. (DTN/Progressive Farmer)
Schools distrust electric buses: Rural school officials in Northern California say electric bus technology will have to improve tremendously for them to give up diesel-powered buses entirely, notwithstanding the state’s push for zero-emission fleets. (Los Angeles Times)
ON THE CALENDAR
Monday
House Rules Committee hearing on HR 1147, the Whole Milk for Healthy Kids Act, that would allow schools to serve whole milk as part of the school lunch program, 4 p.m. ET, H-313, The Capitol. At present, schools must offer low-fat and fat-free milk, with the option of flavored fat-free and low-fat milk. The Dietary Guidelines for Americans recommends consumption of low-fat and fat-free milk by children and adults. House Agriculture chairman Glenn Thompson is sponsor of the bill.
Tuesday
The Labor Department releases the monthly Consumer Price Index report, 8:30 a.m. ET. At present, the U.S inflation rate is 3.2 percent and the food inflation rate is 3.3 percent.
The House may begin debate on HR 1147, the Whole Milk for Healthy Kids Act, to allow schools to serve whole milk as part of the school lunch program, said Majority Leader Steve Scalise.
USDA releases annual America’s Farms and Ranches at a Glance report, 9 a.m. ET. The Economic Research Service holds a webinar on the report at 1 p.m. ET. “This report provides the latest statistics on U.S. farms, including production, financial performance, government assistance, credit usage, and farm household financial characteristics by farm size,” said the USDA. “This year’s edition also explores the differences in farm operations in 2022 by race and ethnicity of the operators.”
Farm Foundation holds an online forum, “Defining sustainability: Industry leaders on actionable goals,” 10 a.m. ET. For details, click here.
HighQuest Partners holds Unconventional Ag show for the organic and regenerative agriculture sector, through Wednesday, Dallas.
Thursday
USDA releases monthly Livestock, Dairy, and Poultry report, 3 p.m. ET.
Friday
University of Illinois holds Farm Assets Conference, 9:30 a.m. ET, Champaign, Illinois.
USDA releases annual Cost of Pollination and North American Potatoes reports, 3 p.m. ET.
