Salmon win this round: In a win for the Yurok tribe and salmon fisheries, a federal judge ruled that the Oregon Water Resources Department must comply with the Endangered Species Act and release water from the Upper Klamath Lake, rather than direct it toward farms. (Courthouse News Service)
Top Dems on House Ag: Reps. Jim Costa of California, Jahana Hayes of Connecticut and Abigail Spanberger of Virginia will serve as the senior Democrats on the House Agriculture subcommittees that they chaired last year while newcomers were named as ranking members on the other three subcommittees. (House Agriculture Democrats)
Dairy exports set record: U.S. dairy exports soared by 25 percent to a record $9.6 billion in 2022, the third year in a row of record sales, with the equivalent of nearly one of every five gallons of milk being exported. (U.S. Dairy Export Council)
Ag bailouts for urbanites: Residents of the 75 wealthiest zip codes in the country received a total of $5.6 million of the billions in trade war and pandemic relief payments released by the USDA. (EWG)
USDA simplifies loan forms: A new and simplified application form for direct loans from the Farm Service Agency will be available in paper and electronic form beginning on March 1. (USDA)