Global price increase: The Food Price Index, which tracks international prices of commonly traded food commodities, rose 1.1 percent in January, propelled by an all-time high in its index for vegetable oils and concerns about palm oil supplies. (FAO)
Farmer tip line: The Justice and Agriculture departments launched a website, farmerfairness.gov, where farmers and ranchers can anonymously report potentially unfair or anticompetitive practices in the meat and poultry sectors. (Department of Justice)
Disaster aid coming: The USDA, drawing on data from livestock assistance and crop insurance programs, will deliver up to $10 billion in disaster aid to farmers and ranchers for weather-related losses in 2020 and 2021. (USDA)
Ocean shipping bill: Responding to congestion at U.S. ports, 14 senators filed a bill that would bar shipping lines from unreasonably refusing to carry U.S. goods, and would require reports every three months on their balance of import and export tonnage. (Klobuchar)
Seeking DOJ report: The largest U.S. farm group asked the Justice Department for an update on its investigation into volatility in cattle prices during the pandemic in 2020 and following a 2019 fire at a Kansas slaughter plant. (AFBF)