economics

USDA recommends paying farmers more for fresh milk

Dairy processors would pay farmers more for fresh milk that is destined for table consumption — perhaps totaling $800 million a year — under a set of recommendations from the Agriculture Department on Monday. The "recommended decision" to update the milk marketing system needs USDA final approval after a comment period and must win in a referendum by milk producers to take effect.

War has limited impact on world grain and oilseed output

Commodity prices soared when Russia invaded Ukraine in February 2022 amid fears of grain shortages with two of the world's leading grain exporters engaged in war. Instead, global production of grains and oilseeds has exceeded forecasts based on production before the invasion, said four agricultural economists on Monday.