Complicating conservation: A push for the increased use of cover crops and other stewardship practices is complicated by the sizable portion of farmland that is rented each year. This could require changes in leases to cover the upfront costs of practices with long-term benefits, say four university economists. (Farmdoc Daily)
Hottest June ever: North America recorded its warmest June on record, with average temperatures 2 degrees Fahrenheit higher than the 30-year average, said an EU-supported climate agency. (New York Times)
Rural ambulance turnover: More than half of emergency medical services in rural America are staffed by volunteers, and 70 percent of them have trouble finding replacements for volunteers who retire or drop out. (NPR)
Record meat exports: Although demand in some nations remains fluid because of the pandemic, exports of U.S. beef were a record $904.3 million in May and pork exports hit a record $813.2 million. (U.S. Meat Export Federation)
Resume GE approvals: While attending a meeting of North American trade ministers, U.S. trade representative Katherine Tai asked Mexican officials to resume the approval of new GE crop varieties, which was halted three years ago. (USTR)
School food expansion: On Thursday, at an elementary school in the city of Henderson, Nevada Gov. Steve Sisolak and Agriculture Secretary Tom Vilsack will discuss Biden administration proposals to expand school food programs, said the USDA. (FERN’s Ag Insider)