Back issues sideline Scott: The senior Democrat on the House Agriculture Committee, Rep. David Scott of Georgia, is being treated for back ailments in the Atlanta area and expects to return to Congress after Thanksgiving. (Atlanta Journal Constitution)
USDA aids specialty crops: Agriculture Secretary Tom Vilsack announced the $2 billion Marketing Assistance for Specialty Crops initiative to expand market opportunities for U.S.-grown fruits, vegetables, and nuts and the $140 million Commodity Storage Assistance Program to help growers in disaster areas. (USDA)
Branstad retires at Food Prize: Former Iowa Gov. Terry Branstad will retire as president of the World Food Prize Foundation, sponsor of the annual $500,000 World Food Prize, on Jan. 31, with Mashal Husain, the foundation’s chief operating officer, taking his place. (World Food Prize)
Corteva offers hybrid wheat: Seed and ag chemical giant Corteva said it developed a higher-yielding and drought-resistant hybrid wheat variety through non-GMO technology and plans to put it on sale as soon as 2027 in North America. (Corteva)