Farm bill cuts endanger black farmers (KCUR): Black farmers fought hard for a farm bill program that helps minority farmers. But its fate is uncertain as cuts to farm bill programs seem inevitable.
Hunting’s conservation role (NPR): It may seem counterintuitive, but hunting is essential for conservation efforts in many states. As the hobby declines, conservation funding is dwindling.
The fate of food labels (New York Times): The Trump administration is reportedly using the NAFTA renegotiation as a way to limit Mexico and Canada’s ability to put warning labels on junk food.
Walmart explores farm automation (Feedstuffs): Over the past year, Walmart applied for six patents involving farm automation, including a robot bee, and says it is interested in “new concepts and ways that will further enhance how we service customers.”
Big trouble for spinach seed (Growing Produce): In the Pacific Northwest, spinach seed, “a tiny crop with huge value,” is under threat from a fungal disease.
A robot tries picking strawberries (NPR): A 12-row robotic strawberry picker the size of a bus is slowly learning the difficult job of finding a ripe strawberry and picking it.
Ryan nixes Section 199A fix (Politico): Democrats are asking too high a price, so House Speaker Paul Ryan is blocking congressional correction of the “grain glitch” in Section 199A of the tax-cut law.