The ‘four corners’ struggle to square the farm bill circle
House Agriculture chairman Glenn Thompson declared, “I am at the table” to write the new farm bill — with multibillion-dollar cuts already rejected by Democrats on the committee. “I hope my colleagues across the aisle join me,” said Thompson, as farm bill leaders clashed over the direction of the moribund legislation.
India draws down wheat stockpile to fight food inflation
India’s government-owned wheat stockpile was forecast to fall to its lowest level in 15 years as the result of the effort to squelch food inflation, said USDA analysts.
TODAY’S QUICK HITS
Scourge or feedstock?: The pinyon pine and juniper forests of the desert West often are viewed as a wildfire threat. But they could become feedstock for production of renewable methanol under an agreement between Denmark and the state of Nevada. (Los Angeles Times)
Catfish sales slip: Sales of U.S.-grown catfish totaled $405 million in 2023, down 2 percent from the previous year due to a lower average price per pound; Mississippi accounted for 58 percent of sales. (USDA)
Mid-Atlantic millennial farmers: When it comes to beginning farmers, Pennsylvania leads the nation for the percentage of farmers under the age of 35, with 14 percent. (Philadelphia Inquirer)
Whole-grain advocate dies: Bob Moore, who started the whole-grain food company Bob’s Red Mill with his wife, died at age 94. (People)
ON THE CALENDAR
Monday
The National Association of Conservation Districts holds annual meeting, through Wednesday, San Diego.
The Rural Broadband Association holds RTIME for Rural Broadband, “the annual kickoff for the rural broadband industry to discuss all the essential topics for the year ahead,” through Wednesday, Tampa, Florida.
USDA releases Vegetables — Annual report, 3 p.m. ET.
Tuesday
USDA releases the results of the 2022 Census of Agriculture, “the only source of impartial and comprehensive agricultural data for every state and county in the nation,” noon ET. The agricultural census is conducted every five years. The event will be webcast at USDA.gov/live and YouTube.com/@UsdaGov.
House Select Committee on the Chinese Communist Party hearing, “Growing stakes: The bioeconomy and American national security,” 8:30 a.m. ET, Boston.
The Labor Department releases monthly Consumer Price Index report, 8:30 a.m. ET. At present, the U.S. inflation rate is 3.4 percent on an annualized basis and the food inflation rate is 2.7 percent.
The National Council of Farmer Cooperatives holds annual meeting, through Thursday, Fort Lauderdale, Florida.
World Ag Expo, through Thursday, Tulare, California.
Wednesday
Agriculture Secretary Tom Vilsack is lead witness at the House Agriculture Committee hearing, “For the purpose of receiving testimony from the Honorable Thomas J. Vilsack, Secretary, U.S. Department of Agriculture,” 10 a.m. ET, 1300 Longworth.
USDA releases its 10-year agricultural baseline in full, 3 p.m. ET. Portions of the baseline were released in November, including projections of U.S. crops and livestock and macroeconomic conditions. The baseline also projects production of major commodities worldwide and international trade volumes.
CBO director Phillip Swagel is lead witness at the House Budget Committee hearing on the CBO budget and economic outlook released last week, 10 a.m. ET.
U.S. Grains Council holds International Marketing Conference and annual membership meeting, through Feb. 16, Guatemala City, Guatemala.
National Farm Machinery Show, through Saturday, Louisville, Kentucky.
USDA holds its 100th annual Agricultural Outlook Forum, its “longest-running and largest public event,” through Friday, Arlington, Virginia. The hybrid event, expected to draw 5,000 viewers online, provides USDA’s latest projections on the farm economy and crop production, usage, and prices.
Ohio Ecological Food and Farm Association holds 45th annual conference, with the theme “Cultivating care,” through Saturday, Newark, Ohio.
International Grains Council releases Grains Market Report, London.
Friday
The National Cotton Council holds annual meeting, through Sunday, Orlando, Florida.
USDA releases Farms and Land in Farms report, 3 p.m. ET. A year ago the USDA said there were 2.003 million farms on 893.4 million acres, a drop of 9,350 farms and 1.9 million acres from the previous report.
Feb. 19
Presidents’ Day. Originally created to observe the Feb. 22, 1732, birthday of George Washington, the first president and Revolutionary War leader, the holiday became a day to honor all presidents following a 1971 law that set the observance as the third Monday of February. Some states still hold separate observances of Washington, President Abraham Lincoln, born Feb. 12, 1809, and other leaders. Washington’s birthday became a federal holiday in 1879.
Renewable Fuels Association holds National Ethanol Conference, through Feb. 21, San Diego.
