Speaking at an agricultural forum in Minnesota, Dr. Joe Outlaw of the Agricultural Food & Policy Center at Texas A&M University, and former House Agriculture Committee Chairman Collin Peterson, talked about the various factors that could affect the passage of a new farm bill by September of 2023, including the price tag. “My question to all the groups that I …
New Program for Underserved, Minority Farmers
A new USDA program for underserved and minority farmers. That’s coming up on This Land of Ours. A new $550 million program from the Department of Agriculture seeks to support projects that help underserved producers. The program supports projects that enable producers access to land, capital, and markets, and train the next diverse generation of agricultural professionals. The investments are …
Ukrainian Grain Shipments Helping Global Supplies
An agreement to allow grain shipments from Ukraine is helping increase global supplies of wheat and corn. Veronica Nigh, American Farm Bureau Federation Senior Economist, says several shipments are leaving Ukraine now. “Certainly, with the establishment of the export corridor, we’re starting to see a lot more ships leaving Ukraine than before. A total of 33 cargo ships have left …
Funding to Boost Biofuel Sales
A national push to increase sales of biofuels. That’s coming up on This Land of Ours. USDA is accepting applications for $100 million in grants to increase the sale and use of biofuels derived from U.S. agricultural products. USDA is making the funding available through the Higher Blends Infrastructure Incentive Program (HBIIP).This program seeks to market higher blends of ethanol …
Adult Obesity Increased During First Year of COVID-19 Pandemic
If your waistline increased during the pandemic, you’re not alone. That’s coming up on This Land of Ours. New data from USDA’s Economic Research Service shows that U.S. adults ages 20 and older reported a three percent higher prevalence of obesity during the first year of the COVID-19 pandemic. The study analyzed data from the Centers for Disease Control and …
Fall Propane Supply Outlook
Fuel prices are lowering, but still high in many places. What does that mean for the fall propane supply and price outlook? That’s coming up on This Land of Ours. A big topic for nearly everyone is the price of fuel, especially as diesel hits a record high. Naturally, that has many farmers wondering about the cost of propane and …
Ukraine Shipping More Grain
Ukraine is shipping more grain under a U.N.-Turkey brokered deal in a hopeful sign for global food shortages. But experts caution that it may not be enough. State Department Spokesman Ned Price calls the latest grain exports from Ukraine “unambiguously a good thing”. “Ships are once again sailing from Ukraine’s Black Sea ports. At the latest count, more than 20 …
New Food Supply Threat from Lack of Rice
Is a new global food supply threat looming? That’s coming up on This Land of Ours. A lack of rice could be the next big strain on the global food supply. Bloomberg says the challenge may come from a lack of rain in parts of India, which is, by far, the biggest rice exporter in the world. The drier weather …
Watching for Advancements in Ag Technology
Keeping an eye on technological advancements. That’s coming up on This Land of Ours. This week we’re focusing on technology in agriculture. New and developing technologies often stem from novel concepts, and this requires the modernization of existing approaches to risk assessment and regulation. APHIS Biotechnology Regulatory Services (BRS) works to keep abreast of the latest advances in science and …
CFTC Seeks Ag Advisory Committee Nominations
Commodity Futures Trading Commission (CFTC) seeks nominations for the Agricultural Advisory Committee membership and public input on upcoming priorities. In a Federal Register notice, the CFTC made the request, with a deadline of September 7, 2022. Through public meetings, the committee advises the Commission on agricultural derivatives market regulatory issues and priorities important to producers, processors, consumers, and other stakeholders. …