USDA
Broader program to preserve Southwestern willow flycatcher
The Agriculture and Interior departments unveiled an eco-system-wide program to enhance habitat for threatened and endangered species in the U.S. Southwest.
U.S. hog total surges 9 percent amid signs of a plateau
The U.S. inventory of hogs and pigs is up 9 percent from last June 1, and slightly larger than on March 1, the USDA said in a quarterly report that showed a dynamic rebound from the effects of the Porcine Epidemic Diarrhea virus that killed millions of piglets in 2014. The loss of piglets, along with strong demand for meat, helped propel U.S. meat prices to record levels last year and encouraged hog producers to expand their herds.
Polls point to largest soy plantings ever; record crop possible
For the second year in a row, farmers will plant a record amount of land to soybeans, according to polls of analysts ahead of the annual Prospective Plantings report due on Tuesday. The USDA report is based on a survey of 80,000 operators and the first broad-scale sample of farmers' crop plans for the year. Polls by Reuters and Bloomberg show analysts expect soybean plantings of 85.9 million acres, up 2.6 percent from last year's record 83.7 million acres.
India unfairly bars U.S. poultry and hogs, rules WTO
A WTO appellate panel ruled that India violated fair-trade rules by barring imports of U.S. poultry, eggs and hogs as a way to prevent entry of avian influenza. The poultry industry estimated sales of poultry to India could rise quickly to $300 million a year once India's restrictions are removed. The case began eight years ago and the United States won a first-round WTO ruling in 2014. The United States said India excluded U.S. products in order to give a leg up to its own farmers.
Soy crop is second-largest ever, analysts say
Farmers planted slightly more land to soybeans than they planned in June, analysts said ahead of a USDA report that will provide the best evidence yet of this year's crops. In surveys by Reuters and Bloomberg, analysts forecast soybean plantings at a record 85.3 million acres, up 1 percent from the USDA's March survey of intentions and 2-percent more than the mark set last year.
Prices lower for pork, higher for eggs, at supermarket
After hitting a record high in 2014, the supermarket price of pork will drop by 3.5 percent this year, the government said in updating its forecast for food price inflation. Hog farmers have expanded production at the same time the strong dollar discourages exports, so the pork supply for Americans is getting larger. It was the second month in a row that the USDA lowered its forecast for pork prices.
After three-week surge, fewer bird-flu outbreaks reported
The worst avian influenza epidemic ever to hit the U.S. poultry industry is losing its punch, says Agri-Pulse, with fewer outbreaks being reported on a weekly basis and "leading industry and government officials to discuss steps to prevent a similar outbreak in the fall."
A year of flat pork prices after 2014’s skyrocket
Pork prices in the grocery store are forecast to increase hardly at all this year, up 0.5 percent, says the USDA's Food Price Outlook, a relief for consumers after record-high prices last year. "However, pork prices [this month] are still 5.9 percent higher than last year," according to the monthly report. Hog farmers are expanding production and hog prices this year are expected to be lower than in 2014. Poultry meat is forecast to increase in price by 3 percent this year and beef by 3.5 percent.
Lower energy costs to save farmers $5 billion this year
"Lower energy prices are expected to lead to lower total production expenses by the agricultural sector," say USDA economists, with savings of $5 billion, or 8 percent, this year and $5 billion in 2016, also an 8-percent savings.
Bird flu confirmed in Wyoming and two Minnesota flocks
Three more cases of highly pathogenic avian influenza were confirmed by the USDA in a three-day period. All were the H5N2 virus. The Wyoming case involved an ailing wild Canada goose from Laramie County.
More food-stamp shoppers at farmers markets
Food stamp recipients spent $18.8 million of their benefits at farmers markets, roadside stands and in direct purchases from growers, six times larger than redemptions in 2008, said the USDA.
Farmers get one more week to choose ARC or PLC subsidy
Growers have one additional week, until April 7, to select their crop-subsidy program for the life of the 2014 farm law. They must choose between the insurance-like Agricultural Risk Coverage, which shields growers from declines in crop revenue, and the traditional Price Loss Coverage, which guarantees a minimum price. The USDA announced the one-week extension, saying 10 percent of likely farm-program participants had not made a decision as of last week.
U.S. directs $150 million in forest, drought aid to California
The Agriculture Department announced $150 million to revitalize forests in Northern California and for drought relief for farmers and rural communities.
U.S. urged to update ag research to meet global demands
The AGree policy initiative called for greater funding for the U.S. agricultural and food research system, coupled with an updated list of priorities for publicly funded research.
One-fifth of farmers have yet to make ARC/PLC choice
More than one-fifrth of farmers have yet to tell the USDA which crop-subsidy plan they want under the 2014 farm law, the insurance-like Agricultural Risk Coverage or the traditionally styled Price Loss Coverage. The deadline for action is Tuesday. Some 77 percent of grain and oilseed growers made the ARC/PLC selection by March 19, says the USDA. "We expect these numbers to continue to increase significantly by the end of the month," said Val Dolcini, head of the Farm Service Agency, during a House Agriculture subcommittee hearing.
Comment period for organic checkoff is extended by 30 days
The government said it will allow an additional month for comments on a proposed checkoff program for the organic industry, the first based on a production method rather than a specific farm product such as beef, cotton or pork.
USDA pays $72 million to farms in bird-flu indemnities
The government has paid $71.9 million to producers as indemnities for poultry flocks that were victims of the worst epidemic of avian influenza ever to hit the United States.
Prieto tapped to be USDA general counsel
President Obama has nominated Jeffrey Prieto, a federal attorney since 1998, to be general counsel for the Agriculture Department, said the White House. The general counsel is USDA's chief lawyer.