Democrat challenges Grassley: A farmer and former county supervisor from western Iowa, Dave Muhlbauer, “an old-school farming-labor Democrat,” announced his campaign for the Senate seat now held by seven-term Republican Chuck Grassley. (Carroll Times Herald)
Vilsack defends debt relief: Agriculture Secretary Tom Vilsack, visiting a farm in South Carolina to spread the word about a loan forgiveness program for socially disadvantaged farmers, said the USDA will cover any early repayment fees due to banks. (Charleston Post and Courier)
Crab population plunges: The blue crab population in the Chesapeake Bay is down by 30 percent this year, tied directly to smallest number of juvenile crabs since annual surveys began in 1990. (Annapolis Capital Gazette)
Spring wheat slump: Only 45 percent of the spring wheat crop, grown mostly in the drought-struck northern Plains, is rated in good or excellent condition, well below the 57 percent expected by analysts for the first report of the growing season. (USDA)
Emhoff and food security: Doug Emhoff, husband of Vice President Kamala Harris, seems more interested in food security as a cause to promote as Second Gentleman than other topics, but his involvement is still in the planning stage. (Politico)