Farmers face hemp obstacles (Harvest Public Media): As states rush into hemp production, farmers face challenges like seed fraud, soggy weather, and a lack of harvesting equipment.
Downplaying climate change at USGS (E&E News): Despite promises by its director to protect scientific integrity, officials at the U.S. Geological Survey have sanitized news releases of references to the impact of climate change or omitted the topic altogether.
Kobach announces for Roberts’ seat (Kansas City Star): Republican Kris Kobach, the former Kansas secretary of state who lost a 2018 race for governor, announced his candidacy for the Senate seat held by retiring Senate Agriculture chairman Pat Roberts.
A farm foe for USMCA (The Hagstrom Report): The Florida Fruit and Vegetable Association is urging its members to ask lawmakers to vote against the United States-Mexico-Canada Agreement because it does not include the group’s goal—provisions to prevent seasonal surges of fresh produce from Mexico.
Mechanical pruning for grapes (Growing Produce): Grape growers could save 90 percent on pruning costs by turning the job over to machinery, say University of California extension advisors who see a “no-touch vineyard” in the future.
Profits not assured for hog farmers (farmdoc daily): Profits for hog farmers are not assured in a year when pork exports could be record-large but trade war with China could shut off a lucrative market, says economist Chris Hurt of Purdue.