Drought creates “a host of choices between terrible outcomes”
State regulators have reduced water discharge from Lake Shasta in Northern California in hopes of boosting the survival rate of juvenile fish threatened with extinction, says the Sacramento Bee.
Brazil is poised to expand ag exports, says global report
Brazil, second to the United States in food and agricultural exports, "is poised to become the foremost supplier in meeting additional global demand, mostly originating from Asia," says the OECD-FAO Agricultural Outlook 2015-2024.
Retail egg prices sharply higher, up 42 percent in a week
The U.S. average egg price in grocery stores zoomed by 55 cents a dozen for Grade A Large eggs from the preceding week, a 42-percent increase, said the USDA weekly retail report. Egg prices are rising as a result of the worst avian influenza epidemic ever to hit U.S. poultry flocks. Stores sold a dozen Grade A Large eggs for $1.87, compared to $1.32 a dozen in the week ending June 5.
Former USAID chief Shah joins Chicago think tank
Rajiv Shah, who headed the U.S. Agency for International Development for five years, will become a senior adviser to the Chicago Council on Global Affairs on July 1.
USDA pricetag for bird-flu epidemic may top $500 million
In a Bloomberg interview, Agriculture Secretary Tom Vilsack said the government may spend more than half a billion dollars to fight the avian-influenza epidemic and to compensate poultry producers for their flocks.
Crop-support outlays hold steady under 2014 farm law
U.S. grain, cotton and soybean farmers will collect an average of $11.2 billion a year in crop subsidies and crop insurance benefits under the 2014 farm law, down by nearly 1 percent from the average of the preceding decade, says a University of Missouri think tank.
California curtails senior water rights, court fight possible
The State Water Resources Board ordered a reduction in water allotments to some of California's most senior rights holders, who have been assured of unlimited water from waterways for more than a century, said the San Jose Mercury News.
Backyard cookouts cost less as dairy, pork prices fall
The grocery bill for a summertime cookout is a bit lower than a year ago, thanks to lower prices for cheese, hotdogs, buns and watermelon, says an informal survey by the largest U.S. farm group.
Corn ethanol setback “is not expected” with EPA proposal
"The demand for corn for ethanol production appears to be on solid footing for the next 18 months," says economist Darrel Good of U-Illinois. "While growth may be limited, a setback is not expected."
In Canada, more land sown to grain, less to oilseeds
Canadian farmers are planting more wheat, corn, barley and oats than last year while cutting back on soybeans and canola, said Statistics Canada, based on a survey of 24,500 farmers from May 28-June 11.
Ag panel members help stall fast-track package
President Obama's request for fast-track authority on trade agreements was in limbo after the House voted 302-126 against one of the elements of the package. That's a ratio of more than 2-to-1.
Dry-farm orchards in California drought
Jutta Thoerner is an outspoken advocate of the age-old practice of dry-farming - relying only on rain water, California's four-year drought notwithstanding, says public broadcaster KQED.
World cotton crop down 9 percent due to low prices
The cotton harvest worldwide will drop by 9 percent this year as growers plant less land because of low market prices for the fiber, says the International Cotton Advisory Council.
Smaller corn, soy supplies but big harvests on horizon
Stockpiles of U.S. corn and soybeans are smaller than expected, giving a boost to futures prices in the near term, although massive harvests of the two most widely planted crops in the nation are on the horizon.
White House offers producers more cushion against drought
The White House announced changes in the federally subsidized crop-insurance program to cushion farmers against the ongoing drought in the West or other natural disasters. The changes broaden the number of crops and the area covered by the Actual Production History yield exemption and are estimated to generate $30 million in additional relief to farmers in the fiscal year that begins on Oct. 1, and $43 million in the following fiscal year.
Fewer food-insecure people now but conditions will worsen
There are fewer food-insecure people in the low- and middle-income nations of the world, about 475 million, or 46 million less than last year, says the government.
Crucial House vote near on repeal of meat-origin labeling
The House could vote as early as Wednesday on repeal of mandatory country-of-origin labels (COOL) on packages of beef, pork and chicken sold in grocery stores. Meatpackers and the largest cattle and hog groups, who opposed COOL from the start, have their best chance in years to get rid of it. The World Trade Organization has issued a final ruling against COOL as a barrier to imported meat and livestock.
Egg prices drop 7 cents as bird-flu epidemic wanes
After increasing by 68 percent in five weeks, the price of eggs in supermarkets is down slightly. The average price for a dozen Large white eggs Grade A or better is $1.98 this week, 7 cents less than the previous week, according to the USDA's National Retail Report. "Shoppers will ... find some relief," says the report, noting more stores are featuring eggs in their advertisements.
Senate bill gives allows one day to cover margins on futures
Farmers, elevators and businesses would have until the end of the day following a futures trade to cover their margin accounts under a bill filed by Senate Agriculture chairman Pat Roberts of Kansas and Sen. Heidi Heitkamp of North Dakota.
States file suit against “waters of United States” rule
Thirteen states filed suit in federal court in North Dakota against the "waters of the United States" rule that defines the upstream reach of the Clean Water Act, said Agri-Pulse.