Barriers to higher blends: Biofuel and farm groups see E15 and other higher blends of corn ethanol into gasoline as the route to higher sales but the current structure of the Renewable Fuel Standard “does not serve to incentivize ethanol blends higher than E10.” (USDA Office of the Chief Economist)
Kentucky poultry cleared: State officials gave permission to two poultry farms in western Kentucky to resume operations after being quarantined since early February because of outbreaks of highly pathogenic avian influenza. (Kentucky Department of Agriculture)
Wisconsin towns vs CAFOs: Three small towns in northwestern Wisconsin have passed ordinances regulating factory farms but face opposition from dairy groups who say the towns infringe on powers held by the state. (Grist)
India stumbles on wheat: After five years of record-setting wheat harvests, India faces a downturn in production this year due to a heat wave, jeopardizing the nation’s role in offsetting the loss of exports from Ukraine. (Reuters)
Farmer PAC backs Grassley: The Iowa Farm Bureau Political Action Committee designated seventh-term Sen. Chuck Grassley, a proponent of biofuels, as its favored candidate in the Republican primary election for the Senate on June 7. (Iowa Farm Bureau)