USDA announces $235 million in disaster relief
Payments totaling $235 million are being issued this week to producers hit by natural disasters, including Hurricane Milton in Florida, said the Agriculture Department. The payments make up the bulk of $375 million in spending announced for various USDA programs on Wednesday.
First U.S. case of bird flu in swine is found in Oregon
Agriculture officials culled all poultry and hogs on a small backyard farm in central Oregon following an outbreak of bird flu that included the first confirmed infection of the H5N1 virus in swine in the United States. There was no threat to the U.S. meat supply, said the Agriculture Department on Wednesday.
TODAY’S QUICK HITS
Less meat and potatoes: Draft recommendations for the new edition of the Dietary Guidelines for Americans call for greater consumption of plant-based foods and the reduced intake of beef and starchy vegetables like potatoes. (Agriculture Dive)
Food for Opportunity launch: The USDA earmarked $50 million for the new Food for Opportunity program, which would give nontraditional commodities a chance to be included in USDA food aid programs. (USDA)
‘Big’ EU trade penalty: The European Union will have to “pay a big price” for not buying enough U.S. exports, including farm products, said former president Donald Trump, who wants the power to retaliate product by product. (Reuters)
Bunge earnings decline: Grain trader and processor Bunge reported net third-quarter income of $221 million, down from $373 million for the same period a year ago, “reflecting the current global margin environment.” (Bunge)
