To boost sales of higher blends, USDA to put $500 million into biofuel pumps and tanks
The Biden administration is the best friend the biofuel industry ever had, notwithstanding gripes that it set the RFS too low, said Agriculture Secretary Tom Vilsack on Monday. Vilsack defended the administration’s record while announcing an additional $450 million to encourage the sale of higher blends of biofuels, such as E15, through installation of dispensing pumps, storage tanks, and related equipment.
Summer cookout costs ease a bit
Chicken breasts and pork chops cost less at the supermarket than a year ago, and that will slightly bring down the price of a summer cookout, said the American Farm Bureau Federation on Tuesday. Still, the price tag for the groceries needed to feed 10 people lemonade, ice cream, burgers, potato salad, and other cookout fare would be the second highest in the 11 years of the unofficial survey conducted ahead of Independence Day.
TODAY’S QUICK HITS
States get broadband funds: President Biden announced the allocation of $42 billion from the 2021 infrastructure law with the goal of connecting everyone in America to reliable, affordable high-speed internet by 2030; Texas got $3.3 billion, the largest amount. (White House)
Five-year lanternfly strategy: The USDA and state agriculture officials spelled out a five-year plan to limit the spread of the invasive Spotted lanternfly, now found in 14 states, and reduce the impact of the pest, which can damage crops, such as grapes and apples, and hardwood trees. (USDA)
High white corn tariff: Mexico imposed a 50 percent tariff on imports of white corn, used in making tortillas, a step that President Andrés Manuel López Obrador said would encourage domestic production and keep out GMO corn amid a trade dispute with the United States. (Associated Press)
Dismal corn, soy ratings: Only half of the U.S. corn and soybean crop is in good or excellent shape this week, a decline from last week and far worse than at this point in 2022, when two thirds of corn and soybeans were rated good or excellent. (USDA)
Equity Commission readies report: Members of USDA’s Equity Commission were scheduled to vote during an online meeting that begins Tuesday on their preliminary recommendations for a final report on policies, programs, and actions to address racial equality issues at the department. (USDA)
