West Virginia Republican Senator Shelly Moore Capito and several Republican colleagues want to know why the Biden EPA decided to replace the Navigable Waters Protection Rule. 

Capito, the Ranking Member of the Senate Environment and Public Works Committee, says, “After the administration’s continued commitments to transparency, engagement, and communication with stakeholders and Congress on this issue, the lack of transparency surrounding the decision to abandon this legally defensible and environmentally sound rule is disheartening.” 

The Republican Senators point out that on a briefing call after announcing the decision to replace the rule, the Environmental Protection Agency and the Corps of Engineers made several assertions as justification for the move. The agencies say the decision was based on “significant environmental damage” and “ongoing environmental harm,” as well as several implementation challenges. 

“To date, the limited details provided to support those assertions has contributed to only greater uncertainty for Congress, the states, and regulated entities,” the letter continues. “The agencies haven’t provided a complete analysis to back their assertions.”

West Virginia Republican Senator Shelly Moore Capito and several Republican colleagues want to know why the Biden EPA decided to replace the Navigable Waters Protection Rule. Capito, the Ranking Member of the Senate Environment and Public Works Committee, says, “After the administration’s continued commitments to transparency, engagement, and communication with stakeholders and Congress on this issue, the lack of transparency surrounding the decision to abandon this legally defensible and environmentally sound rule is disheartening.” The Republican Senators point out that on a briefing call after announcing the decision to replace the rule, the Environmental Protection Agency and the Corps of Engineers made several assertions as justification for the move. The agencies say the decision was based on “significant environmental damage” and “ongoing environmental harm,” as well as several implementation challenges. “To date, the limited details provided to support those assertions has contributed to only greater uncertainty for Congress, the states, and regulated entities,” the letter continues. “The agencies haven’t provided a complete analysis to back their assertions.”

Senators want reasons for replacing the Navigable Waters Protection Rule

Brazilian farmers will harvest just under 94 million tons of corn this season. A Reuters poll of ten harvest forecasters indicates a fall of 8.5 percent from the last forecast due to a severe drought. Second-crop corn failure will lead to higher imports and lower exports of the crop. 

The forecasters say Brazil, home to some of the world’s largest meat processors, will need to keep the grain to make it livestock feed. One agribusiness consultant cut her corn export forecast to 22.5 million tons, down from a previous prediction of 32 million tons, and told Reuters she estimates Brazilian corn import needs may reach four million tons. 

If the dry weather persists, corn yields may fall even further in some of the key corn-producing states in Brazil. In April, a Reuters poll of 11 forecasters predicted a record corn crop of 107 million tons, but poor weather during the development stage damaged that prospect. 

Brazil’s second-corn crop, which gets planted after the country’s soybeans get harvested at the end of Brazil’s summertime, has been hit hardest by a lack of rainfall.

Brazilian farmers will harvest just under 94 million tons of corn this season. A Reuters poll of ten harvest forecasters indicates a fall of 8.5 percent from the last forecast due to a severe drought. Second-crop corn failure will lead to higher imports and lower exports of the crop. The forecasters say Brazil, home to some of the world’s largest meat processors, will need to keep the grain to make it livestock feed. One agribusiness consultant cut her corn export forecast to 22.5 million tons, down from a previous prediction of 32 million tons, and told Reuters she estimates Brazilian corn import needs may reach four million tons. If the dry weather persists, corn yields may fall even further in some of the key corn-producing states in Brazil. In April, a Reuters poll of 11 forecasters predicted a record corn crop of 107 million tons, but poor weather during the development stage damaged that prospect. Brazil’s second-corn crop, which gets planted after the country’s soybeans get harvested at the end of Brazil’s summertime, has been hit hardest by a lack of rainfall.

Brazil corn harvest forecast drops over eight percent

The Supreme Court in Colorado blocked a statewide ballot initiative that would have expanded animal cruelty regulations from appearing on the November 2022 ballot. The Supreme Court says the initiative advances two subjects in its language, violating the state’s single-subject requirement for state statutes. 

Center Square Dot Com says the proposed ballot measure is called Initiative 16 and would impose new restrictions on animal husbandry that required ranchers to wait at least one-quarter of an animal’s life before sending it to slaughter. Ranchers in violation of the measure may have been charged with a crime. 

The measure would also have expanded the statutory definition of animal cruelty to include artificial insemination and other penetrations, “however slight.” The court says that the two subjects invite a “potential for the very kind of surprise that the single-subject requirement seeks to guard against.” 

Voters may not understand that what is called a livestock initiative would also affect the care of all animals or vice versa. Initiative 16 was approved by the state’s Title Board in late April and immediately drew the wrath of rural communities and the state’s agricultural community.

The Supreme Court in Colorado blocked a statewide ballot initiative that would have expanded animal cruelty regulations from appearing on the November 2022 ballot. The Supreme Court says the initiative advances two subjects in its language, violating the state’s single-subject requirement for state statutes. Center Square Dot Com says the proposed ballot measure is called Initiative 16 and would impose new restrictions on animal husbandry that required ranchers to wait at least one-quarter of an animal’s life before sending it to slaughter. Ranchers in violation of the measure may have been charged with a crime. The measure would also have expanded the statutory definition of animal cruelty to include artificial insemination and other penetrations, “however slight.” The court says that the two subjects invite a “potential for the very kind of surprise that the single-subject requirement seeks to guard against.” Voters may not understand that what is called a livestock initiative would also affect the care of all animals or vice versa. Initiative 16 was approved by the state’s Title Board in late April and immediately drew the wrath of rural communities and the state’s agricultural community.

Colorado Supreme Court blocks livestock measure

The Department of Agriculture Monday announced $55.2 million in competitive grant funding available through the new Meat and Poultry Inspection Readiness Grant program. The new program is funded by the Consolidated Appropriations Act of 2021. 

Agriculture Secretary Tom Vilsack states through the program, “We are building capacity and increasing economic opportunity for small and midsized meat and poultry processors and producers across the country.” USDA encourages grant applications that focus on improving meat and poultry slaughter and processing capacity and efficiency and developing new and expanding existing markets. 

Further USDA seeks applications that increase capacity and better meeting consumer and producer demand along with maintaining strong inspection and food safety standards. Eligible meat and poultry slaughter and processing facilities include commercial businesses, cooperatives, and tribal enterprises. 

MPIRG’s Planning for a Federal Grant of Inspection project is for processing facilities currently in operation and are working toward Federal inspection. Whereas, MPIRG’s Cooperative Interstate Shipment Compliance project is only for processing facilities located in states with a Food Safety and Inspection Service program.

The Department of Agriculture Monday announced $55.2 million in competitive grant funding available through the new Meat and Poultry Inspection Readiness Grant program. The new program is funded by the Consolidated Appropriations Act of 2021. Agriculture Secretary Tom Vilsack states through the program, “We are building capacity and increasing economic opportunity for small and midsized meat and poultry processors and producers across the country.” USDA encourages grant applications that focus on improving meat and poultry slaughter and processing capacity and efficiency and developing new and expanding existing markets. Further USDA seeks applications that increase capacity and better meeting consumer and producer demand along with maintaining strong inspection and food safety standards. Eligible meat and poultry slaughter and processing facilities include commercial businesses, cooperatives, and tribal enterprises. MPIRG’s Planning for a Federal Grant of Inspection project is for processing facilities currently in operation and are working toward Federal inspection. Whereas, MPIRG’s Cooperative Interstate Shipment Compliance project is only for processing facilities located in states with a Food Safety and Inspection Service program.

USDA program to increase capacity, access in meat and poultry inspection operations

Led by the Department of Agriculture, the United States is joining a global coalition focused on improving the nutrition, health, and education of children. The coalition, called “School Meals: Nutrition, Health and Education for Every Child,” will officially launch at the United Nations’ Food Systems Summit in September. 

U.N. member states lead the coalition with support from the U.N.'s World Food Program. The coalition's goal is to promote, strengthen, and expand school feeding programs across the globe to make nutritious meals available for all children by 2030. 

The coalition will advocate for multisector coordination, stable funding sources and ongoing research to improve program quality and efficiency. 

Specifically, the coalition aims to ensure that, by 2022, all countries restore school meals programs for the 370 million children who lost access during the COVID-19 pandemic, as well as reaching 73 million additional children living in extreme poverty and hunger who were not receiving school meals pre-pandemic.

Led by the Department of Agriculture, the United States is joining a global coalition focused on improving the nutrition, health, and education of children. The coalition, called “School Meals: Nutrition, Health and Education for Every Child,” will officially launch at the United Nations’ Food Systems Summit in September. U.N. member states lead the coalition with support from the U.N.'s World Food Program. The coalition's goal is to promote, strengthen, and expand school feeding programs across the globe to make nutritious meals available for all children by 2030. The coalition will advocate for multisector coordination, stable funding sources and ongoing research to improve program quality and efficiency. Specifically, the coalition aims to ensure that, by 2022, all countries restore school meals programs for the 370 million children who lost access during the COVID-19 pandemic, as well as reaching 73 million additional children living in extreme poverty and hunger who were not receiving school meals pre-pandemic.

Led by USDA, U.S. to join Global School Meals Coalition

Agriculture Secretary Tom Vilsack Monday proclaimed this week as National Pollinator Week. Vilsack states of the proclamation, “The health of these agricultural contributors is critical to the vitality and sustainability of U.S. agriculture, food security, and our nation’s overall economy.” 

Pollinator species play an important role in producing more than 100 crops grown in the United States. The proclamation states a variety of practices to protect pollinators can often be incorporated in USDA’s focus on climate-smart agricultural solutions, such as growing pollinator-attractive flowering trees and plants that also sequester carbon. 

Honeybee pollination alone adds more than $18 billion in value to agricultural crops annually and are critical to ensuring our diets are plentiful with fruits, nuts, and vegetables. 

USDA recognizes the role pollinators play in agriculture and supports pollinator health through research, data collections, diagnostic services, monitoring, pollinator habitat enhancement programs, and pollinator health grants. Learn more about USDA pollinator work at&nbsp;<a href="http://www.usda.gov/pollinators">www.usda.gov/pollinators</a>.

Agriculture Secretary Tom Vilsack Monday proclaimed this week as National Pollinator Week. Vilsack states of the proclamation, “The health of these agricultural contributors is critical to the vitality and sustainability of U.S. agriculture, food security, and our nation’s overall economy.” Pollinator species play an important role in producing more than 100 crops grown in the United States. The proclamation states a variety of practices to protect pollinators can often be incorporated in USDA’s focus on climate-smart agricultural solutions, such as growing pollinator-attractive flowering trees and plants that also sequester carbon. Honeybee pollination alone adds more than $18 billion in value to agricultural crops annually and are critical to ensuring our diets are plentiful with fruits, nuts, and vegetables. USDA recognizes the role pollinators play in agriculture and supports pollinator health through research, data collections, diagnostic services, monitoring, pollinator habitat enhancement programs, and pollinator health grants. Learn more about USDA pollinator work at&nbsp;<a href="http://www.usda.gov/pollinators">www.usda.gov/pollinators</a>.

Vilsack issues USDA proclamation recognizing National Pollinator Week

For the seventh month in a row, the Creighton University Rural Mainstreet Index stayed above growth neutral. The overall index is still strong at 70, falling almost nine points from May’s record high of 78.8. The index ranges from zero to 100, with 50 being growth neutral. 

That comes from a monthly survey of bank CEOs in rural areas of a 10-state region that depends on agriculture and energy. Approximately 46 percent of bank CEOs report their local economy expanded between May and June. 

“Strong grain prices, the Fed’s record-low interest rates, and growing exports have underpinned the rural main street economy,” says Ernie Goss of Creighton University, who oversees the index. 

He did say that several bankers raised future concerns. Steve Simon, CEO of the South Story Bank in Iowa, says, “Continued dry conditions will start to have an effect on markets and crops soon.” 

For the ninth straight month, the farmland price index advanced significantly above growth neutral. The June farmland index slipped lower but is still strong at 75.9. The June Farm Equipment Sales Index rose to 71.6, the highest level since 2012.

For the seventh month in a row, the Creighton University Rural Mainstreet Index stayed above growth neutral. The overall index is still strong at 70, falling almost nine points from May’s record high of 78.8. The index ranges from zero to 100, with 50 being growth neutral. That comes from a monthly survey of bank CEOs in rural areas of a 10-state region that depends on agriculture and energy. Approximately 46 percent of bank CEOs report their local economy expanded between May and June. “Strong grain prices, the Fed’s record-low interest rates, and growing exports have underpinned the rural main street economy,” says Ernie Goss of Creighton University, who oversees the index. He did say that several bankers raised future concerns. Steve Simon, CEO of the South Story Bank in Iowa, says, “Continued dry conditions will start to have an effect on markets and crops soon.” For the ninth straight month, the farmland price index advanced significantly above growth neutral. The June farmland index slipped lower but is still strong at 75.9. The June Farm Equipment Sales Index rose to 71.6, the highest level since 2012.

Rural bankers say local economies are stronger

U.S. Wheat Associates and the National Association of Wheat Growers welcomed the announcement that the United Kingdom and the U.S. dropped competing tariffs. The two sides agreed to a five-year moratorium on retaliatory tariffs for large civil aircraft subsidies. 

This break suspends retaliatory tariffs the UK had in place on non-durum U.S. wheat imports. The long-running dispute at the World Trade Organization allowed the UK and the EU the right to impose tariffs on non-durum U.S. wheat imports, which mainly impacted hard red spring and some hard red winter wheat. 

“The wheat industry is thankful to President Biden and Ambassador Tai’s commitment to prioritize the trade relationships between the United States, European Union, and now the United Kingdom,” says Wheat Growers CEO Chandler Goule.&nbsp;&nbsp;

“Each five-year truce with the U.K. and the European Union removes a significant trade barrier on wheat exports and provides long-term certainty for wheat growers in the Upper Midwest.” 

Wheat Associates President Vince Peterson is hopeful that this agreement provides the basis for an open dialogue on trade that will pre-empt the use of retaliatory tariffs in the still unresolved steel and aluminum dispute between the U.S. and the UK.

U.S. Wheat Associates and the National Association of Wheat Growers welcomed the announcement that the United Kingdom and the U.S. dropped competing tariffs. The two sides agreed to a five-year moratorium on retaliatory tariffs for large civil aircraft subsidies. This break suspends retaliatory tariffs the UK had in place on non-durum U.S. wheat imports. The long-running dispute at the World Trade Organization allowed the UK and the EU the right to impose tariffs on non-durum U.S. wheat imports, which mainly impacted hard red spring and some hard red winter wheat. “The wheat industry is thankful to President Biden and Ambassador Tai’s commitment to prioritize the trade relationships between the United States, European Union, and now the United Kingdom,” says Wheat Growers CEO Chandler Goule.&nbsp;&nbsp;“Each five-year truce with the U.K. and the European Union removes a significant trade barrier on wheat exports and provides long-term certainty for wheat growers in the Upper Midwest.” Wheat Associates President Vince Peterson is hopeful that this agreement provides the basis for an open dialogue on trade that will pre-empt the use of retaliatory tariffs in the still unresolved steel and aluminum dispute between the U.S. and the UK.

Wheat growers applaud further resolution in U.S., UK dispute

U.S. refiners are short on $1.6 billion worth of credits they need to comply with U.S. biofuel laws. Reuters reviewed corporate earnings disclosures to come up with that total. 

The big liability comes as the Biden Administration considers potential relief for oil refiners from biofuel mandates. Refiners say they need the relief because of soaring credit costs and the economic hardship brought on by COVID-19 that’s hurt the industry. 

RIN prices are higher since the start of 2021 because of higher feedstock costs and market uncertainty. RINs were trading at the highest price since the program began 13 years ago. Prices have dropped 50 cents since hitting a recent high of $2 a credit. 

If the Biden administration grants some relief from the mandates, refiners may not need to fulfill all their obligations. Some lawmakers and refining industry representatives have requested help for the industry. The White House hasn’t said what actions President Biden will take to relieve refiners of their obligations under the Renewable Fuel Standard.

U.S. refiners are short on $1.6 billion worth of credits they need to comply with U.S. biofuel laws. Reuters reviewed corporate earnings disclosures to come up with that total. The big liability comes as the Biden Administration considers potential relief for oil refiners from biofuel mandates. Refiners say they need the relief because of soaring credit costs and the economic hardship brought on by COVID-19 that’s hurt the industry. RIN prices are higher since the start of 2021 because of higher feedstock costs and market uncertainty. RINs were trading at the highest price since the program began 13 years ago. Prices have dropped 50 cents since hitting a recent high of $2 a credit. If the Biden administration grants some relief from the mandates, refiners may not need to fulfill all their obligations. Some lawmakers and refining industry representatives have requested help for the industry. The White House hasn’t said what actions President Biden will take to relieve refiners of their obligations under the Renewable Fuel Standard.

Refiners over one billion dollars short on RINs

Senate Agriculture Committee Chair Debbie Stabenow Thursday announced a hearing titled “Examining Markets, Transparency, and Prices from Cattle Producer to Consumer.”&nbsp;&nbsp;The Michigan Democrat, along with the committee’s ranking Republican John Boozman of Arkansas, scheduled the hearing for the afternoon of Wednesday, June 23. 

Cattle market transparency is a priority for cattle producers as disruptions in the market, along with pandemic-related issues, developed.&nbsp;&nbsp;Legislation, such as the Cattle Market Transparency Act, seeks to correct the disruptions and improve trade for cattle producers. 

Introduced in March, Farm Bureau Congressional Relations Director Scott Bennett said at the time the legislation would ease frustration in the market by “creating a contract library for producers to compare the terms of their contracts versus others in the industry." 

In May, a diverse group of farm and cattle organizations came together to focus on cattle market transparency concerns. The issue started growing in 2019 when a fire burned a Tyson plant in Holcomb, Kansas.

Senate Agriculture Committee Chair Debbie Stabenow Thursday announced a hearing titled “Examining Markets, Transparency, and Prices from Cattle Producer to Consumer.”&nbsp;&nbsp;The Michigan Democrat, along with the committee’s ranking Republican John Boozman of Arkansas, scheduled the hearing for the afternoon of Wednesday, June 23. Cattle market transparency is a priority for cattle producers as disruptions in the market, along with pandemic-related issues, developed.&nbsp;&nbsp;Legislation, such as the Cattle Market Transparency Act, seeks to correct the disruptions and improve trade for cattle producers. Introduced in March, Farm Bureau Congressional Relations Director Scott Bennett said at the time the legislation would ease frustration in the market by “creating a contract library for producers to compare the terms of their contracts versus others in the industry." In May, a diverse group of farm and cattle organizations came together to focus on cattle market transparency concerns. The issue started growing in 2019 when a fire burned a Tyson plant in Holcomb, Kansas.

Senate ag scheduled hearing on cattle markets

A new <a href="https://broadbandusa.maps.arcgis.com/apps/webappviewer/index.html?id=ba2dcd585f5e43cba41b7c1ebf2a43d0">broadband mapping tool</a> released by the White House Thursday shows the need for rural broadband. The Indicators of Broadband Need map indicates areas of need by marking them red.

The tool unsurprisingly marks much of the U.S. land area, particularly rural areas, as in need of broadband. Except for city-centers, states like Idaho, Montana, Nebraska and Texas, among many others, are largely identified as areas in need. 

Commerce Secretary Gina Raimondo says the mapping tool “paints a sobering view of the challenges facing far too many Americans as they try to connect to high-speed broadband.” 

The map contains data aggregated at the county, census tract, and census block level from the U.S. Census Bureau, the Federal Communications Commission, and internet speed testing providers. The data classifies areas of need by locations that lack the FCC’s current benchmark for fixed broadband service of 25 megabits per second download, three upload.

A new <a href="https://broadbandusa.maps.arcgis.com/apps/webappviewer/index.html?id=ba2dcd585f5e43cba41b7c1ebf2a43d0">broadband mapping tool</a> released by the White House Thursday shows the need for rural broadband. The Indicators of Broadband Need map indicates areas of need by marking them red. The tool unsurprisingly marks much of the U.S. land area, particularly rural areas, as in need of broadband. Except for city-centers, states like Idaho, Montana, Nebraska and Texas, among many others, are largely identified as areas in need. Commerce Secretary Gina Raimondo says the mapping tool “paints a sobering view of the challenges facing far too many Americans as they try to connect to high-speed broadband.” The map contains data aggregated at the county, census tract, and census block level from the U.S. Census Bureau, the Federal Communications Commission, and internet speed testing providers. The data classifies areas of need by locations that lack the FCC’s current benchmark for fixed broadband service of 25 megabits per second download, three upload.

Biden administration released new broadband coverage map

Trade Representative Katherine Tai returned to the U.S. Thursday following a successful trip to Europe. Tai, along with counterparts from the European Union and the United Kingdom, agreed to suspend tariffs caused by disagreements over aircraft. 

Tai, announcing the agreement with the UK Thursday, says both the EU and UK and the U.S. will establish working groups on large civil aircraft. Each side intends not to impose countermeasures for a period of five years, starting July 4, 2021. Countermeasures in the dispute in the past include imposing tariffs on U.S. agriculture and food products. 

Regarding the UK, Tai states, “Reaching an agreement with the United Kingdom to finally put the large civil aircraft disputes behind us is a great step forward for our special relationship.” 

House Agriculture Committee Chair David Scott, a Georgia Democrat, says, “This announcement is welcome and will certainly set the stage for important future bilateral agreements between the U.S. and our European allies.”

Trade Representative Katherine Tai returned to the U.S. Thursday following a successful trip to Europe. Tai, along with counterparts from the European Union and the United Kingdom, agreed to suspend tariffs caused by disagreements over aircraft. Tai, announcing the agreement with the UK Thursday, says both the EU and UK and the U.S. will establish working groups on large civil aircraft. Each side intends not to impose countermeasures for a period of five years, starting July 4, 2021. Countermeasures in the dispute in the past include imposing tariffs on U.S. agriculture and food products. Regarding the UK, Tai states, “Reaching an agreement with the United Kingdom to finally put the large civil aircraft disputes behind us is a great step forward for our special relationship.” House Agriculture Committee Chair David Scott, a Georgia Democrat, says, “This announcement is welcome and will certainly set the stage for important future bilateral agreements between the U.S. and our European allies.”

U.S.-UK and EU suspend airplane tariffs

In a recent survey, broccoli secured the number one spot, yet again, as America's favorite vegetable, followed by carrots and corn. Green Giant’s annual Favorite Veggie Survey polled more than 5,000 Americans. Although broccoli remains America's favorite, the popularity of corn substantially increased over the past year. 

The survey found 100 percent of consumers surveyed who picked broccoli as their favorite vegetable noted taste as a top factor in making their selection. However, from 2019 to 2021, the number of states selecting carrot as the favorite vegetable has increased 500 percent. Those selecting broccoli has decreased 23 percent. 

Compared to survey data from 2020, seven times more states selected corn as a favorite in 2021. And while broccoli is America's favorite vegetable, according to the general population survey, corn is the runaway favorite vegetable among Americans ages 55-72. Tomato and cucumber were noticeable favorites in 2020 that didn't make the favorites list in 2021.

In a recent survey, broccoli secured the number one spot, yet again, as America's favorite vegetable, followed by carrots and corn. Green Giant’s annual Favorite Veggie Survey polled more than 5,000 Americans. Although broccoli remains America's favorite, the popularity of corn substantially increased over the past year. The survey found 100 percent of consumers surveyed who picked broccoli as their favorite vegetable noted taste as a top factor in making their selection. However, from 2019 to 2021, the number of states selecting carrot as the favorite vegetable has increased 500 percent. Those selecting broccoli has decreased 23 percent. Compared to survey data from 2020, seven times more states selected corn as a favorite in 2021. And while broccoli is America's favorite vegetable, according to the general population survey, corn is the runaway favorite vegetable among Americans ages 55-72. Tomato and cucumber were noticeable favorites in 2020 that didn't make the favorites list in 2021.

Report finds broccoli as the favorite vegetable in U.S.

Argentina appears on track towards reaching an agreement to reopen beef exports. The potential deal comes days ahead of the expiration date on the government's month-long suspension, according to Reuters. Argentina paused beef exports to combat domestic inflation, which is estimated overall at about 50 percent this year. 

Since enacting the export ban, Argentine beef packers began negotiating with the government to lift the restrictions, fearing they could be extended. An Argentine government official tells Reuters, “We are seeking an agreement that would allow the meat export market to reopen while expanding production enough to guarantee domestic supplies as well.” 

Argentina exported roughly 28 percent of the 956,000 metric tons of beef produced in the first four months of 2021. Argentina is the second-largest supplier of beef to China, behind Brazil. Beef prices are surging around the world as China is importing more beef, and higher grain prices are pushing feed costs higher.

Argentina appears on track towards reaching an agreement to reopen beef exports. The potential deal comes days ahead of the expiration date on the government's month-long suspension, according to Reuters. Argentina paused beef exports to combat domestic inflation, which is estimated overall at about 50 percent this year. Since enacting the export ban, Argentine beef packers began negotiating with the government to lift the restrictions, fearing they could be extended. An Argentine government official tells Reuters, “We are seeking an agreement that would allow the meat export market to reopen while expanding production enough to guarantee domestic supplies as well.” Argentina exported roughly 28 percent of the 956,000 metric tons of beef produced in the first four months of 2021. Argentina is the second-largest supplier of beef to China, behind Brazil. Beef prices are surging around the world as China is importing more beef, and higher grain prices are pushing feed costs higher.

Argentina close to deal to reopen beef exports

The Department of Agriculture’s Economic Resource Service Wednesday released the latest Livestock, Dairy and Poultry Outlook.&nbsp; While a cyberattack disrupted cattle slaughter for two days in June, the Memorial Day week finished above 2020 levels, though well below 2019.

 USDA did raise cow slaughter in the second and third quarters of 2021, but fed cattle slaughter decreased in the second quarter. Meanwhile, strong demand supported hog prices and processor margins through May 2021. USDA raised lean hog prices to reflect assumptions of continuing strong processor demand. 

Total 2021 exports are forecast at almost 7.6 billion pounds, about four percent above last year. The milk production forecasts for 2021 and 2022 increased on higher expected milk cow numbers. Exports were relatively strong in April as cheese exports reached a record high, and butter exports were higher than in any month since June 2014. Finally, the 2021 broiler export forecast increased on recent data and improved production expectations.

The Department of Agriculture’s Economic Resource Service Wednesday released the latest Livestock, Dairy and Poultry Outlook.&nbsp; While a cyberattack disrupted cattle slaughter for two days in June, the Memorial Day week finished above 2020 levels, though well below 2019. USDA did raise cow slaughter in the second and third quarters of 2021, but fed cattle slaughter decreased in the second quarter. Meanwhile, strong demand supported hog prices and processor margins through May 2021. USDA raised lean hog prices to reflect assumptions of continuing strong processor demand. Total 2021 exports are forecast at almost 7.6 billion pounds, about four percent above last year. The milk production forecasts for 2021 and 2022 increased on higher expected milk cow numbers. Exports were relatively strong in April as cheese exports reached a record high, and butter exports were higher than in any month since June 2014. Finally, the 2021 broiler export forecast increased on recent data and improved production expectations.

USDA releases livestock, dairy, and poultry outlook

A
St. Joseph pesticide manufacturer is in the crosshairs of federal authorities,
who accuse the company of failing to comply with a 2011 settlement over alleged
violations of state and federal environmental laws.

The
U.S. Department of Justice, leading the prosecution, has filed a motion in
federal court to hold HPI Products, its owner Willam Garvey, and St. Joseph
Properties in contempt for failing to comply with the settlement.

“For years, HPI
Products Inc. has failed to comply with its legal requirements to safely store
and dispose of hazardous waste,” Acting EPA Region 7
Administrator Edward H. Chu said in a written statement released by the EPA.
“Members of the community have expressed concerns in the past, and this motion
is aimed in part at addressing those concerns. Although HPI has partially
complied with cleanup requirements, the effort has fallen far short of what is
needed and required, and we are hopeful the court will grant the governments’
request to finally get the job finished.”

HPI operates six
pesticide manufacturing, storage, and distribution facilities in St. Joseph.

Federal and state
authorities claimed in court filings that the defendants stored thousands of hazardous
and non-hazardous wastes at its facilities since at least 2007. EPA and state
inspectors found rusted and leaking containers. Some buildings had partially
collapsed or were in danger of collapsing.

HPI entered into a
consent decree which required the company to take an inventory, then properly
clean up and dispose of waste. A federal court granted a contempt decree
against HPI in 2018, but HPI established an escrow account and regulators gave
the company more time to clean up.

The DOJ claims
that though the company made attempts to comply with the 2018 order, it has
fallen behind schedule and potential threats to human health remain. Regulators
have asked the court to reinstate the 2018 court order.

By BRENT MARTINSt. Joseph PostA
St. Joseph pesticide manufacturer is in the crosshairs of federal authorities,
who accuse the company of failing to comply with a 2011 settlement over alleged
violations of state and federal environmental laws.The
U.S. Department of Justice, leading the prosecution, has filed a motion in
federal court to hold HPI Products, its owner Willam Garvey, and St. Joseph
Properties in contempt for failing to comply with the settlement.“For years, HPI
Products Inc. has failed to comply with its legal requirements to safely store
and dispose of hazardous waste,” Acting EPA Region 7
Administrator Edward H. Chu said in a written statement released by the EPA.
“Members of the community have expressed concerns in the past, and this motion
is aimed in part at addressing those concerns. Although HPI has partially
complied with cleanup requirements, the effort has fallen far short of what is
needed and required, and we are hopeful the court will grant the governments’
request to finally get the job finished.”HPI operates six
pesticide manufacturing, storage, and distribution facilities in St. Joseph.Federal and state
authorities claimed in court filings that the defendants stored thousands of hazardous
and non-hazardous wastes at its facilities since at least 2007. EPA and state
inspectors found rusted and leaking containers. Some buildings had partially
collapsed or were in danger of collapsing.HPI entered into a
consent decree which required the company to take an inventory, then properly
clean up and dispose of waste. A federal court granted a contempt decree
against HPI in 2018, but HPI established an escrow account and regulators gave
the company more time to clean up.The DOJ claims
that though the company made attempts to comply with the 2018 order, it has
fallen behind schedule and potential threats to human health remain. Regulators
have asked the court to reinstate the 2018 court order.

Federal regulators claim St. Joseph pesticide company has failed to clean up waste

Several of America’s leading farm groups differ on the USDA’s proposal to consider three new rules to strengthen the Packers and Stockyards Act. National Farmers Union President Rob Larew told the Hagstrom Report that, “Shielding farmers from corporate abuse was one of the main objectives for Farmers Union since it was established. 

The publication of these planned administrative actions is a step in the right direction. Family Farm Action Alliance President Joe Maxwell says, “Past failures to adequately strengthen the Packers and Stockyards Act left the regulatory environment a haven for consolidation. 

The National Cattlemen’s Beef Association is less than enthusiastic. “As we did in 2010 and again last year, NCBA will fight hard to ensure that any regulations created or revised under the Packers and Stockyards Act do not reduce cattle producers’ ability to realize higher profits and make the decisions that are best for them.” 

North American Meat Institute President and CEO Julie Anna Potts points out that the concepts in the three USDA proposals were rejected by eight federal appellate courts. “They were a bad idea in 2010, in 2016, and a bad idea in 2021,” she says.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2021/6/1623859665719.jpeg" alt="Photo by Dionne Bertling" />
 <figcaption>Photo by Dionne Bertling</figcaption>
 </figure>Several of America’s leading farm groups differ on the USDA’s proposal to consider three new rules to strengthen the Packers and Stockyards Act. National Farmers Union President Rob Larew told the Hagstrom Report that, “Shielding farmers from corporate abuse was one of the main objectives for Farmers Union since it was established. The publication of these planned administrative actions is a step in the right direction. Family Farm Action Alliance President Joe Maxwell says, “Past failures to adequately strengthen the Packers and Stockyards Act left the regulatory environment a haven for consolidation. The National Cattlemen’s Beef Association is less than enthusiastic. “As we did in 2010 and again last year, NCBA will fight hard to ensure that any regulations created or revised under the Packers and Stockyards Act do not reduce cattle producers’ ability to realize higher profits and make the decisions that are best for them.” North American Meat Institute President and CEO Julie Anna Potts points out that the concepts in the three USDA proposals were rejected by eight federal appellate courts. “They were a bad idea in 2010, in 2016, and a bad idea in 2021,” she says.

Farm groups differ over USDA’s Packers and Stockyards changes

America’s hog farmers are the leading suppliers of high-quality pork, annually shipping more than $7 billion to overseas destinations. However, recent shipping delays at U.S. ports are disrupting exports. If these delays are addressed soon, they could lead to serious bottlenecks for pork and other agricultural exports. 

National Pork Producers Council President Jen Sorenson says, “Compounding the situation is the fact that carriers are failing to provide accurate notice to exporters of arrival/departure and cargo loading times, and then impose financial penalties on exporters for ‘missing’ those loading windows,” Sorenson said while testifying before Congress.

“These costs are ultimately passed down the supply chain to farmers.” In discussing potential solutions to the bottlenecks, Sorenson urged for expanded operating hours for U.S. ports, and expedited Federal Maritime Commission enforcement preventing unreasonable financial penalties for exporters. 

All U.S. ports are experiencing shipping delays, but the West Coast is the most heavily impacted as it sends products to Asian-Pacific destinations, one of U.S. pork’s top export markets.

America’s hog farmers are the leading suppliers of high-quality pork, annually shipping more than $7 billion to overseas destinations. However, recent shipping delays at U.S. ports are disrupting exports. If these delays are addressed soon, they could lead to serious bottlenecks for pork and other agricultural exports. National Pork Producers Council President Jen Sorenson says, “Compounding the situation is the fact that carriers are failing to provide accurate notice to exporters of arrival/departure and cargo loading times, and then impose financial penalties on exporters for ‘missing’ those loading windows,” Sorenson said while testifying before Congress.“These costs are ultimately passed down the supply chain to farmers.” In discussing potential solutions to the bottlenecks, Sorenson urged for expanded operating hours for U.S. ports, and expedited Federal Maritime Commission enforcement preventing unreasonable financial penalties for exporters. All U.S. ports are experiencing shipping delays, but the West Coast is the most heavily impacted as it sends products to Asian-Pacific destinations, one of U.S. pork’s top export markets.

NPPC asking congress to address bottlenecks at nation’s ports

President Biden and European Union leaders reached an agreement to halt the long-running trade dispute over subsidies for Boeing and Airbus. The Hill says the announcement comes as the president participates in an EU-U.S. summit in Brussels as part of his first trip overseas as president. 

The two sides hope it will improve relations between America and Europe as both are collectively trying to counter the rising power of China. U.S. Trade Representative Katherine Tai says the announcement resolves a long-standing “irritant” in the relationship between the U.S. and the European Union. 

“Instead of fighting with one of our closest allies, we are finally coming together against a common threat,” she says. As part of the deal, both sides will suspend the tariffs related to the dispute for five years, including tariffs on wine, spirits, tractors, and cheese. 

The Hill points out that Biden still hasn’t announced plans to lift tariffs on European steel and aluminum imposed by the Trump administration, which may still be a continued source of tensions. A senior administration official says the negotiations are ongoing, describing them as constructive, but did note that they will take time.

President Biden and European Union leaders reached an agreement to halt the long-running trade dispute over subsidies for Boeing and Airbus. The Hill says the announcement comes as the president participates in an EU-U.S. summit in Brussels as part of his first trip overseas as president. The two sides hope it will improve relations between America and Europe as both are collectively trying to counter the rising power of China. U.S. Trade Representative Katherine Tai says the announcement resolves a long-standing “irritant” in the relationship between the U.S. and the European Union. “Instead of fighting with one of our closest allies, we are finally coming together against a common threat,” she says. As part of the deal, both sides will suspend the tariffs related to the dispute for five years, including tariffs on wine, spirits, tractors, and cheese. The Hill points out that Biden still hasn’t announced plans to lift tariffs on European steel and aluminum imposed by the Trump administration, which may still be a continued source of tensions. A senior administration official says the negotiations are ongoing, describing them as constructive, but did note that they will take time.

U.S., EU reach deal to end trade dispute over subsidies

Chinese soybean imports grew significantly during the first five months of 2021, which follows along with a recovery in the country’s domestic hog numbers. However, MSN says domestic demand for the crop looks more modest in the coming months because of rising soybean prices around the globe. 

China purchased 38.23 million tons of soybeans between January and May. The world’s biggest importer of soybeans spent $19.35 billion on the crop; 44 percent higher than the same period in 2020. As expected, the U.S. and Brazil were once again the top suppliers, with imports up from both countries during the same five months by almost 13 percent year-on-year. 

While the Phase One Trade Agreement with the U.S. has been one reason for the surge in imports, the recovery of China’s hog herd, devastated by African Swine Fever, is a key driver of the demand for soybeans. 

A senior animal protein analyst at Rabobank says the expectation of rapid hog restocking has been the key reason for strong imports but the food-service industry’s recovery from COVID-19 also supports Chinese imports. China’s spending on food imports, including grains and meat, is 33 percent higher than it was during the first five months of last year. &nbsp;

Chinese soybean imports grew significantly during the first five months of 2021, which follows along with a recovery in the country’s domestic hog numbers. However, MSN says domestic demand for the crop looks more modest in the coming months because of rising soybean prices around the globe. China purchased 38.23 million tons of soybeans between January and May. The world’s biggest importer of soybeans spent $19.35 billion on the crop; 44 percent higher than the same period in 2020. As expected, the U.S. and Brazil were once again the top suppliers, with imports up from both countries during the same five months by almost 13 percent year-on-year. While the Phase One Trade Agreement with the U.S. has been one reason for the surge in imports, the recovery of China’s hog herd, devastated by African Swine Fever, is a key driver of the demand for soybeans. A senior animal protein analyst at Rabobank says the expectation of rapid hog restocking has been the key reason for strong imports but the food-service industry’s recovery from COVID-19 also supports Chinese imports. China’s spending on food imports, including grains and meat, is 33 percent higher than it was during the first five months of last year. &nbsp;

China soybean imports boom as hog population recovers

Iowa Republican Senator Chuck Grassley joined fellow Republican Mike Rounds of South Dakota and Jon Tester, a Montana Democrat, in introducing legislation on meatpacking. The bill would address the anti-competitive practices in the meat and poultry industries that threaten the nation’s food supply and national security. 

The legislation comes on the heels of a recent ransomware attack on JBS, one of the country’s largest meat suppliers. “Increased consolidation is driving concerns about competitive market access for livestock producers,” Grassley says. 

“The recent cyberattack added to existing vulnerabilities in our food supply chain, underscoring the importance of protecting the livelihoods of our family farmers.” 

He also says food security is national security.&nbsp;&nbsp;The Senators’ bill, called the “Meat Packing Special Investigator Act,” would create the “Office of the Special Investigator for Competitive Matters” within the USDA’s Packers and Stockyards Division. 

The new investigator would oversee a team of investigators with subpoena power, dedicated to preventing and addressing anti-competitive practices in the meat and poultry industries and enforcing the nation’s antitrust laws.

Iowa Republican Senator Chuck Grassley joined fellow Republican Mike Rounds of South Dakota and Jon Tester, a Montana Democrat, in introducing legislation on meatpacking. The bill would address the anti-competitive practices in the meat and poultry industries that threaten the nation’s food supply and national security. The legislation comes on the heels of a recent ransomware attack on JBS, one of the country’s largest meat suppliers. “Increased consolidation is driving concerns about competitive market access for livestock producers,” Grassley says. “The recent cyberattack added to existing vulnerabilities in our food supply chain, underscoring the importance of protecting the livelihoods of our family farmers.” He also says food security is national security.&nbsp;&nbsp;The Senators’ bill, called the “Meat Packing Special Investigator Act,” would create the “Office of the Special Investigator for Competitive Matters” within the USDA’s Packers and Stockyards Division. The new investigator would oversee a team of investigators with subpoena power, dedicated to preventing and addressing anti-competitive practices in the meat and poultry industries and enforcing the nation’s antitrust laws.

Bill would combat anti-competitive practices in meat processing industry

The White House is under pressure from labor unions and senators, including those from President Biden’s home state of Delaware, to consider relief for refiners from the biofuel blending mandates. 

Three sources close to the matter told Reuters that the issue is pitting two of the administration’s most important political constituencies against each other: blue-collar refinery workers and farmers who depend on biofuel mandates to give stability to corn markets. 

It may prompt a sharp turn in policy for the administration, which had been pulling back the Trump Administration’s expansion of waivers for U.S. refiners from the Renewable Fuel Standard. The credits, called RINs, are currently at their highest price in the 13-year history of the program. 

Refiners are saying the policy threatens to bankrupt fuel makers who are already hurt by plummeting fuel demand during COVID-19. Biofuel advocates say that fuel makers should have invested in biofuel blending facilities years ago and can pass on the added costs for buying credits. 

Democratic Senators from Delaware have met with Micheal Regan, head of the Environmental Protection Agency, in recent weeks to talk about providing relief to refiners.

The White House is under pressure from labor unions and senators, including those from President Biden’s home state of Delaware, to consider relief for refiners from the biofuel blending mandates. Three sources close to the matter told Reuters that the issue is pitting two of the administration’s most important political constituencies against each other: blue-collar refinery workers and farmers who depend on biofuel mandates to give stability to corn markets. It may prompt a sharp turn in policy for the administration, which had been pulling back the Trump Administration’s expansion of waivers for U.S. refiners from the Renewable Fuel Standard. The credits, called RINs, are currently at their highest price in the 13-year history of the program. Refiners are saying the policy threatens to bankrupt fuel makers who are already hurt by plummeting fuel demand during COVID-19. Biofuel advocates say that fuel makers should have invested in biofuel blending facilities years ago and can pass on the added costs for buying credits. Democratic Senators from Delaware have met with Micheal Regan, head of the Environmental Protection Agency, in recent weeks to talk about providing relief to refiners.

Biden considering relief for U.S. refiners

By BRIAN GRIMMETT <a href="https://www.kmuw.org/post/kansas-farmers-find-only-thing-harder-growing-hemp-selling-it">Kansas News Service</a>

PRATT, Kansas — This summer marks the third year that Kansans have grown hemp for industrial uses.

Yet
 growing the less sexy cousin of the plant associated with getting high 
and some medicinal uses has proven riskier and more difficult than many 
farmers initially expected.

Consequently, the number of licenses issued this year is less than half of what the state saw in 2020.

“There
 were some misconceptions about the ease of marketability of it,” said 
Braden Hoch, the state’s industrial hemp program supervisor.

The risk of any agricultural operation is compounded by an ever-changing set of <a href="https://agriculture.ks.gov/divisions-programs/plant-protect-weed-control/industrial-hemp" target="_blank">state and federal rules</a>. And now some hemp farmers and processors want more help from the government to reduce risk and encourage innovation.

<a href="https://www.shiningstarhemp.com/" target="_blank">Shining Star Hemp Co.</a> is one of only 11 licensed hemp processors in the state.

Outside
 of the industrial building near the Pratt municipal airport in 
south-central Kansas where Shining Star operates sits rows of 1,200 
pound bags full of industrial hemp stalks, grains and flowers.

Inside,
 workers break open the bags and dump them onto a large conveyor belt 
leading to a cacophony of machinery shaking, blowing and sifting the 
biomass into its usable parts.

The operation is one of the few successful outfits in the state.

“It’s
 been a lot of work, a lot of phone calls developing relationships and 
finding synergies,” Jennifer Holmes, who works with Shining Star <a href="https://plainjanehempco.com/" target="_blank">to develop and market products</a> said. “But honestly, I can say at this point, we’re doing awesome for where we’re at.”

Paul McGeary masterminded Shining Star’s system for converting the hemp harvest into something industry can use.

“It’s about, probably, 30 years of beating your head against the wall, mostly,” he said.

McGeary
 is a contractor for Shining Star. He’s worked in the agricultural 
processing world for most of his life and has applied what he learned 
over decades of sifting wheat and corn to develop this machine to sift 
hemp.

He said the complexity of the process is part of what’s 
holding the industry back. It just doesn’t have the scale to supply 
manufacturers who would put the fiber to use.

“We were walking 
into those meetings thinking that to have 30-to- 40,000 pounds on hand 
is something. But when you walk into industry and they want five train 
cars a day or a trainload a week, we just aren’t prepared for that,” he 
said. “And getting them to wait until we’re prepared, that’s the 
bottleneck of the whole thing.”

Hemp has been hyped as something 
with a wide range of industrial uses. The stalk can be made into paper 
or biodegradable plastics. The seeds can be made into food. And the 
flowers can be pressed to extract oils.

But so far, the only 
market the industry is pushing seems to be for its cannabinoid-rich, or 
CBD, oil. And there’s a flood of CBD already on the market.

“We 
don’t have the best of luck selling full-spectrum oil,” Holmes said. 
“It’s just something that we all need to work through and do the right 
thing and move into the grain and fiber industry.”

But that will take millions of dollars in investments in new equipment.

Until
 that equipment can be designed, built or purchased, companies 
interested in making products from hemp fibers are out of luck. A 
company in Newton, Kansas, wants to <a href="https://humanplantsolutions.com/" target="_blank">make prosthetic limbs from hemp</a>. It imports its processed hemp from overseas.

Holmes
 wants more government help to offset some of the risk for investing in 
converting the plant into something useful for industry.

“A lot 
of people are scared to start because they don’t know if they’re going 
to fail, so they don’t ever get started,” she said.

The Kansas Department of Agriculture says its hemp growing licenses dropped&nbsp; from 218 in 2020, to only 81 this year.

And last year, of the almost 4,000 acres planted, only 761 were harvested for production.

An eighth of that had to be burned by the state because it contained too much of the psychoactive chemical THC.

“The
 past two years have really helped individuals get up to speed,” Hoch 
said. “But producers are really still determining the best way to grow 
hemp as a crop and if it’s feasible to include in their rotation.”

He
 said growers and processors need to expand beyond CBD products, but 
with federal and state rules surrounding the crop in constant flux, 
finding the right investors that can spur that kind of innovation and 
development will remain challenging.

Brian Grimmett reports 
on the environment, energy and natural resources for KMUW in Wichita and
 the Kansas News Service. You can follow him on Twitter <a href="https://twitter.com/briangrimmett?lang=en">@briangrimmett</a> or email him at grimmett@kmuw.org.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2021/6/1623692445108.png" alt=" Workers at Shining Star Hemp Co. load a bag of hemp biomass into the processor. Brian Grimmett / Kansas News Service" />
 <figcaption> Workers at Shining Star Hemp Co. load a bag of hemp biomass into the processor. Brian Grimmett / Kansas News Service</figcaption>
 </figure>By BRIAN GRIMMETT <a href="https://www.kmuw.org/post/kansas-farmers-find-only-thing-harder-growing-hemp-selling-it">Kansas News Service</a>PRATT, Kansas — This summer marks the third year that Kansans have grown hemp for industrial uses.Yet
 growing the less sexy cousin of the plant associated with getting high 
and some medicinal uses has proven riskier and more difficult than many 
farmers initially expected.Consequently, the number of licenses issued this year is less than half of what the state saw in 2020.“There
 were some misconceptions about the ease of marketability of it,” said 
Braden Hoch, the state’s industrial hemp program supervisor.The risk of any agricultural operation is compounded by an ever-changing set of <a href="https://agriculture.ks.gov/divisions-programs/plant-protect-weed-control/industrial-hemp" target="_blank">state and federal rules</a>. And now some hemp farmers and processors want more help from the government to reduce risk and encourage innovation.<a href="https://www.shiningstarhemp.com/" target="_blank">Shining Star Hemp Co.</a> is one of only 11 licensed hemp processors in the state.Outside
 of the industrial building near the Pratt municipal airport in 
south-central Kansas where Shining Star operates sits rows of 1,200 
pound bags full of industrial hemp stalks, grains and flowers.Inside,
 workers break open the bags and dump them onto a large conveyor belt 
leading to a cacophony of machinery shaking, blowing and sifting the 
biomass into its usable parts.The operation is one of the few successful outfits in the state.“It’s
 been a lot of work, a lot of phone calls developing relationships and 
finding synergies,” Jennifer Holmes, who works with Shining Star <a href="https://plainjanehempco.com/" target="_blank">to develop and market products</a> said. “But honestly, I can say at this point, we’re doing awesome for where we’re at.”Paul McGeary masterminded Shining Star’s system for converting the hemp harvest into something industry can use.“It’s about, probably, 30 years of beating your head against the wall, mostly,” he said.McGeary
 is a contractor for Shining Star. He’s worked in the agricultural 
processing world for most of his life and has applied what he learned 
over decades of sifting wheat and corn to develop this machine to sift 
hemp.He said the complexity of the process is part of what’s 
holding the industry back. It just doesn’t have the scale to supply 
manufacturers who would put the fiber to use.“We were walking 
into those meetings thinking that to have 30-to- 40,000 pounds on hand 
is something. But when you walk into industry and they want five train 
cars a day or a trainload a week, we just aren’t prepared for that,” he 
said. “And getting them to wait until we’re prepared, that’s the 
bottleneck of the whole thing.”Hemp has been hyped as something 
with a wide range of industrial uses. The stalk can be made into paper 
or biodegradable plastics. The seeds can be made into food. And the 
flowers can be pressed to extract oils.But so far, the only 
market the industry is pushing seems to be for its cannabinoid-rich, or 
CBD, oil. And there’s a flood of CBD already on the market.“We 
don’t have the best of luck selling full-spectrum oil,” Holmes said. 
“It’s just something that we all need to work through and do the right 
thing and move into the grain and fiber industry.”But that will take millions of dollars in investments in new equipment.Until
 that equipment can be designed, built or purchased, companies 
interested in making products from hemp fibers are out of luck. A 
company in Newton, Kansas, wants to <a href="https://humanplantsolutions.com/" target="_blank">make prosthetic limbs from hemp</a>. It imports its processed hemp from overseas.Holmes
 wants more government help to offset some of the risk for investing in 
converting the plant into something useful for industry.“A lot 
of people are scared to start because they don’t know if they’re going 
to fail, so they don’t ever get started,” she said.The Kansas Department of Agriculture says its hemp growing licenses dropped&nbsp; from 218 in 2020, to only 81 this year.And last year, of the almost 4,000 acres planted, only 761 were harvested for production.An eighth of that had to be burned by the state because it contained too much of the psychoactive chemical THC.“The
 past two years have really helped individuals get up to speed,” Hoch 
said. “But producers are really still determining the best way to grow 
hemp as a crop and if it’s feasible to include in their rotation.”He
 said growers and processors need to expand beyond CBD products, but 
with federal and state rules surrounding the crop in constant flux, 
finding the right investors that can spur that kind of innovation and 
development will remain challenging.Brian Grimmett reports 
on the environment, energy and natural resources for KMUW in Wichita and
 the Kansas News Service. You can follow him on Twitter <a href="https://twitter.com/briangrimmett?lang=en">@briangrimmett</a> or email him at grimmett@kmuw.org.

Kan. farmers: The only thing harder than growing hemp? Selling it 

The USDA will begin work on three proposed rules to support the enforcement of the Packers and Stockyards Act. The 100-year-old law was originally designed to protect poultry farmers, hog producers, and cattle ranchers from unfair, deceptive, and anti-competitive practices in meat markets. 

USDA will take three actions related to rulemaking in the months ahead. First, USDA intends to propose a new rule that will provide greater clarity to strengthen enforcement against unfair and deceptive practices, undue preferences, and unjust prejudices. 

USDA will also propose a new poultry grower tournament system rule, with the current inactive proposal to be withdrawn. The agency will also re-propose a rule to clarify that parties do not need to demonstrate harm to competition to bring an action under Section 202 of the Act. 

“The pandemic and other recent events have revealed how concentration can take a painful toll on independent farmers and ranchers while exposing working family consumers to higher prices and uncertain output,” says Ag Secretary Tom Vilsack. “The Packers and Stockyards Act is 100 years old and needs to take into account modern market dynamics.” 

He says as the agency works to strengthen the resiliency of the country’s supply chains, enforcement of the Packers and Stockyards Act will be critically important.

The USDA will begin work on three proposed rules to support the enforcement of the Packers and Stockyards Act. The 100-year-old law was originally designed to protect poultry farmers, hog producers, and cattle ranchers from unfair, deceptive, and anti-competitive practices in meat markets. USDA will take three actions related to rulemaking in the months ahead. First, USDA intends to propose a new rule that will provide greater clarity to strengthen enforcement against unfair and deceptive practices, undue preferences, and unjust prejudices. USDA will also propose a new poultry grower tournament system rule, with the current inactive proposal to be withdrawn. The agency will also re-propose a rule to clarify that parties do not need to demonstrate harm to competition to bring an action under Section 202 of the Act. “The pandemic and other recent events have revealed how concentration can take a painful toll on independent farmers and ranchers while exposing working family consumers to higher prices and uncertain output,” says Ag Secretary Tom Vilsack. “The Packers and Stockyards Act is 100 years old and needs to take into account modern market dynamics.” He says as the agency works to strengthen the resiliency of the country’s supply chains, enforcement of the Packers and Stockyards Act will be critically important.

USDA working to strengthen enforcement of the Packers and Stockyards Act

A Wisconsin federal judge ordered the USDA to at least temporarily stop $4 billion in loan debt relief payments intended for minority farmers. DTN says the move is in response to a lawsuit filed by white farmers who are not eligible for the same debt relief funds. 

That’s just one of five federal lawsuits filed against Ag Secretary Tom Vilsack to block USDA from paying off loans for minority farmers without also doing the same for white farmers. 

The temporary restraining order late last week keeps USDA from paying out any money to minority farmers while the U.S. District Court in eastern Wisconsin considers a more extensive preliminary injunction request filed by attorneys for 12 white farmers from nine states. 

An attorney for the Wisconsin Institute for Law and Liberty says, “the Court recognized that the federal government’s plan to allocate benefits based on race raises grave constitutional concerns and threatens our clients with irreparable harm.” 

A spokesman for USDA says the department disagrees with the judge’s decision but did confirm that the debt-relief program is on hold for now.

A Wisconsin federal judge ordered the USDA to at least temporarily stop $4 billion in loan debt relief payments intended for minority farmers. DTN says the move is in response to a lawsuit filed by white farmers who are not eligible for the same debt relief funds. That’s just one of five federal lawsuits filed against Ag Secretary Tom Vilsack to block USDA from paying off loans for minority farmers without also doing the same for white farmers. The temporary restraining order late last week keeps USDA from paying out any money to minority farmers while the U.S. District Court in eastern Wisconsin considers a more extensive preliminary injunction request filed by attorneys for 12 white farmers from nine states. An attorney for the Wisconsin Institute for Law and Liberty says, “the Court recognized that the federal government’s plan to allocate benefits based on race raises grave constitutional concerns and threatens our clients with irreparable harm.” A spokesman for USDA says the department disagrees with the judge’s decision but did confirm that the debt-relief program is on hold for now.