GOP farm-bill demand: “If we can’t make a meaningful change” in crop subsidy spending in the new farm bill, “I think we’re better off having an extension” of current law into 2025, said Arkansas Sen. John Boozman, senior Republican on the Senate Agriculture Committee. (Politico)
Smithfield spin-off proposal: WH Group, the owner of Smithfield Foods, said it submitted an application to the Hong Kong Stock Exchange to spin off Smithfield’s U.S. and Mexican operations for listing on U.S. exchanges. (WH Group)
Derecho damages Farm Belt: A fast-moving windstorm blew across Iowa, northern Illinois, northern Indiana, and southwestern Michigan on Monday evening, dropping large hail in places and damaging crops during critical reproductive stages. (DTN/Progressive Farmer)
More Deere layoffs coming: Deere and Co., which has laid off more than 1,000 employees in the past three months, intends to announce layoffs of salaried employees on July 24, according to unofficial reports; Deere has said there would be U.S. layoffs by the end of July. (WQAD-TV)
Dust storms intensify: Globally, sand and dust storms have increased in intensity and frequency in recent years, with poor land and water management as well as climate change adding to the problem; the storms damage crops, strip nutrients from the soil, and may spread disease. (FAO)