New format for Ag Insider
At White House meeting, biofuels bloc promotes E15 as RFS solution
President Trump sat down with oil and ethanol leaders for the second time this week without resolving a battle over the federal mandate to mix biofuels into gasoline and diesel fuel. Iowa Sen. Chuck Grassley later said that “an emerging solution appears to be year-round E15.”
Wheat, soy groups fear retaliation for U.S. steel and aluminum duties
Groups representing U.S. wheat and soybean growers said the steel and aluminum tariffs announced by President Trump might lead to retaliatory steps by China, the No. 1 buyer of American farm exports.
Senate confirms Doud as chief U.S. agricultural negotiator
The Senate confirmed Gregg Doud as the chief agricultural negotiator at the U.S. trade representative’s office. He was the second Trump nominee confirmed by the Senate to an agriculture-related post this week.
Drought imperils winter wheat in the Plains
When the winter wheat crop breaks dormancy over the next few weeks, it will face arid conditions in the central and southern Plains due to an extraordinarily dry winter, said an agricultural meteorologist.
Despite community resistance, Kansas okays more chicken houses
Although Kansas has been the site of several high-profile fights over the future of chicken farming, the state’s Senate advanced a bill last week that would increase the cap on how many chickens a farmer can raise at once.
World wheat production expected to fall for second year in a row
Europe and Russia are not likely to repeat their bumper wheat harvests of 2017, setting the world on track for the second year in a row of smaller wheat output, said the UN Food and Agriculture Organization.
Challenge to Iowa ‘ag gag’ law will proceed
A federal judge ruled in favor of a coalition of groups that sued last year to overturn Iowa’s ag gag law. The state had filed a motion to have the lawsuit dismissed.
Perdue says he stands with the RFS; Grassley says some schooling is needed
A farm convention audience cheered Agriculture Secretary Sonny Perdue as he declared his unequivocal support for biofuels. His speech came just a day after he participated in a White House discussion of possible revisions to the Renewable Fuel Standard.
Farm bill, Harvest Boxes top of mind at Food Tank Summit
The farm bill was central to several discussions at the Food Tank Summit yesterday in Washington, D.C. The theme of the summit, which draws hundreds of food system advocates from around the country, was how to cultivate the next generation of food leaders. (No paywall)
Mexican corn farmers call for NAFTA limits on imports of U.S. corn
With the seventh round of NAFTA negotiations underway, the Mexican National Federation of Corn Farmers said the redrawn pact should limit corn imports into the country, reported Xinhua, the Chinese news agency.
Senators question post-death subsidy payments
Two farm-state senators want the USDA to explain why it allows crop subsidy payments to the estates of deceased farmers for two years or more. “You aren’t very actively engaged if you are buried,” remarked Iowa Sen. Chuck Grassley, citing a USDA eligibility rule.
Drought in Argentina may take a toll on world grain supplies
Argentina is headed for its worst drought in three decades, and a downturn in crop production will likely slow the economic recovery in a country where corn and soybeans account for 36 percent of all exports, said Bloomberg.
Biofortified corn might mean better nutrition in Colombia
The first corn variety that yields kernels rich in zinc, now available to farmers in Colombia, will combat malnutrition in the South American nation, says a coalition of researchers.
Tyson ordered to pay $2 million in fish kill fine
Tyson Poultry will pay a $2-million criminal fine for polluting a stream near its southwest Missouri plant. The pollution killed an estimated 108,000 fish.
No deal on RFS revisions, Trump asks to meet industry officials
President Trump could meet with oil and ethanol industry officials as early as Thursday, as the White House tries to resolve complaints about the federal requirement to blend biofuels into gasoline and diesel fuel. There was no agreement during a head-to-head session with four Republican senators at the center of the dispute, so the White House will "continue having conversations," said press secretary Sarah Sanders.
With new bill, Iowa Rep. aims to undercut state agriculture regulations
A vast body of state laws regulates farming, from monitoring agricultural pollution and farm runoff, to pesticide applications, labor rules, and animal welfare. But many of those regulations could be subject to challenge if recently proposed legislation in Congress becomes law. The skirmish over the new legislation is the latest in a long series of fights about who is best suited to regulate food production, processing, and labeling—the federal government, or the states. This time, the fight could make it all the way to the farm bill.
A seed movement sprouts within the food movement
Celebrated New York chef Ban Barber is launching a seed company that unites the interests of chefs with the capabilities of plant breeders, reports the Washington Post in a story produced in partnership with FERN. Row 7 Seed Co "hopes to develop new varieties driven by flavor and nutrition that have a chance to make it in the wider marketplace."
After a four-month wait, USDA nominee Northey wins Senate confirmation
Senators needed only 75 seconds to confirm Bill Northey by voice vote as the No 3. USDA official, ending a four-month delay tied to a fight over the Renewable Fuel Standard.
Leaders of House ag panel appeal for no cuts to farm bill funding
Members of the House Agriculture Committee approved a letter to the chamber's budget writers that asked for full funding of USDA programs, so they can write a strong 2018 farm bill. Chairman Michael Conaway (R-TX) said he aimed for a committee vote on the bill in March and the lead Democrat on the panel, Collin Peterson (D-MN), said he expected attempts during floor debate to cut hundreds of billions of dollars from the bill.