Vacancy at the top of USDA as Perdue gains a full-time deputy for nutrition
After two years with a title that suggested he was a placeholder, Brandon Lipps formally became deputy undersecretary for nutrition at the Agriculture Department on Monday. The Trump administration has not filled the top nutrition post at USDA.
Congressional farm support could dry up in deluge of Trump aid
Lawmakers are complaining about “all this welfare going to farmers” during the trade war and they might balk at providing more aid if there is a farm crisis, said House Agriculture chairman Collin Peterson in a broadcast interview. “It undermines us,” said Peterson. “If we need to do something, it is going to make it very much more difficult to get political support to respond.”
The Future of Food Summit – EatingWell & IFIC
September 18, 2019 – New York City
For the first time ever, EatingWell and the International Food Information Council Foundation are bringing together thought leaders across academia, agriculture, manufacturing, technology, retail and the media to discuss the Future of Food and how our food system needs to change for the better. Taking place on September 18 in NYC, the summit will feature thought-provoking panel discussions, including a keynote address by Ali Bouzari, Co-Founder of Pilot R&D and Render. For a full line-up of panel topics and speakers and to buy tickets, visit EatingWellIFICSummit.com. #futureoffood
TODAY’S QUICK HITS
Dairy enrollment nears 17,000 (USDA): More than 60 percent of dairy farms with production histories have enrolled in the Dairy Margin Coverage subsidy – a 2018 farm bill program that pays farmers when the cost of feed is too close to the average price for milk.
High tariff wallops U.S. wine sales in China (Los Angeles Times): Trade-war tariffs of 93 percent are throttling exports of American wine to China; they’re down by 33 percent in the first half of this year in what was the fastest-growing export market.
Wind farm delayed near Martha’s Vineyard (InsideClimate News): A federal agency said it was expanding an environmental review of what would be the largest U.S. offshore wind farm, a delay that could prevent the developers from qualifying for a tax credit that expires soon.
Enough solar power to meet global demand (Yale Environment 360): Solar panels on less than 1 percent of agricultural land worldwide could produce enough electricity to meet global demand, says a study in the journal Scientific Reports, and there’s the possibility that crops and solar arrays can share the land.
Trade deal needed with Japan soon (U.S. Dairy Export Council): U.S. dairy farmers risk the loss of market share in Japan, the world’s largest cheese importer, unless a new trade agreement is negotiated soon.
