Record meat year (Marketplace): The Department of Agriculture predicts that 2018 will be a record year for meat consumption, with each American on average eating 222 pounds of beef, pork, chicken, or turkey.
Craft brew’s plateau (Brewers Association): A new report from the Brewers Association found that craft brewery growth slowed in 2017 compared to previous years, as the sector becomes more competitive and acquisitions continue.
Perdue to visit Michigan, Ohio and Kentucky (USDA): In his third “Back to our roots” tour of rural areas by RV, Agriculture Secretary Perdue will visit three states next week, with Linda McMahon, head of the Small Business Administration joining him for some stops.
Storms ease California ‘snow drought’ (Accuweather): The snowpack in the Sierras more than doubled during March and now equals 58 percent of average for the April 1 end of the wet season, easing fears of water shortages in California during coming months.
Ragweed throws shade on soybean yields (Agronomy Journal): When they looked at a plant not often regarded as a crop threat, researchers found common ragweed can cut soybean yields drastically, apparently by blocking sunlight from reaching the beans.
Rural jobs can’t catch cities (Daily Yonder): In the first year of the Trump administration, rural America gained 154,000 jobs but that was only 7 percent of the 2.3 million new jobs nationwide; 70 percent of the new jobs were in metro areas of at least 1 million people.
Making organic easier (Only Organic): Two dozen food companies known for organic products signed a letter to the Senate and House Agriculture committees in support of farm bill provisions that would make it easier for farmers to transition to organic.