Today’s quick hits, April 25, 2023

USDA names NIFA chief: After decades as an Iowa State University professor, Manjit Misra will begin work May 8 as the new director of USDA’s grant-making National Institute for Food and Agriculture. (USDA)

Raise hemp’s THC limit: Congress should ease the regulatory burden on hemp producers in the 2023 farm bill, in part by raising the limit on tetrahydrocannabinol in industrial hemp from 0.3 percent to 1 percent, said 31 industry groups. (U.S. Hemp Roundtable)

More, please, for conservation: Three out of four crop farmers said in a survey that they “somewhat” or “strongly” support an increase in funding for voluntary conservation programs as part of the new farm bill. (National Wildlife Federation)

Ag research buildings decay: The Association of Public and Land-grant Universities asked for $5 billion in the 2023 farm bill to improve the agricultural research infrastructure on campus and offset billions of dollars in deferred maintenance on dilapidated buildings. (APLU)

Corn planters roll despite weather: One in seven acres of U.S. corn land has been planted despite cold spring weather, a faster than usual pace for the third week of April. (USDA)