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.

Judge halts USDA debt relief plan

The National Cattlemen’s Beef Association petitioned the USDA’s Food Safety and Inspection Service to eliminate using “Product of the USA” labels for beef products. The Hagstrom Report says the NCBA wants to eliminate other broad U.S. origin labeling claims for beef and establish a “Processed in the USA” label instead. 

“The ‘Product of the USA’ label doesn’t meet the expectations of today’s consumers and disincentivizes the use of voluntary, source-verified claims that allow cattle and beef producers to more effectively distinguish their product in the marketplace,” says NCBA President Jerry Bohn. 

The headline on the NCBA news release says the move would “increase producer profitability.” Other groups have called for strict country-of-origin labels on meat which Congress passed but later rescinded after a World Trade Organization panel found the labels resulted in discrimination against Canadian and Mexican meat. 

The voluntary labels that NCBA supports represent investments made by producers to continually improve their products and meet consumer demand. 

“Marketing through source-verification will provide a more accurate and truthful description of the products,” Bohn adds, ‘which will reduce the potential for consumer confusion while increasing the ability of cattle producers to capture additional premiums for their product.”

The National Cattlemen’s Beef Association petitioned the USDA’s Food Safety and Inspection Service to eliminate using “Product of the USA” labels for beef products. The Hagstrom Report says the NCBA wants to eliminate other broad U.S. origin labeling claims for beef and establish a “Processed in the USA” label instead. “The ‘Product of the USA’ label doesn’t meet the expectations of today’s consumers and disincentivizes the use of voluntary, source-verified claims that allow cattle and beef producers to more effectively distinguish their product in the marketplace,” says NCBA President Jerry Bohn. The headline on the NCBA news release says the move would “increase producer profitability.” Other groups have called for strict country-of-origin labels on meat which Congress passed but later rescinded after a World Trade Organization panel found the labels resulted in discrimination against Canadian and Mexican meat. The voluntary labels that NCBA supports represent investments made by producers to continually improve their products and meet consumer demand. “Marketing through source-verification will provide a more accurate and truthful description of the products,” Bohn adds, ‘which will reduce the potential for consumer confusion while increasing the ability of cattle producers to capture additional premiums for their product.”

NCBA petitions to change “Produced in USA” label

MILWAUKEE (AP) — A federal judge has halted a loan forgiveness program for farmers of color in response to a lawsuit alleging the program discriminates against white farmers.

U.S. District Judge William Griesbach in Milwaukee issued a temporary restraining order Thursday suspending the program for socially disadvantaged farmers and ranchers, the&nbsp;<a href="https://www.jsonline.com/story/news/2021/06/10/judge-suspends-biden-debt-relief-program-farmers-color/7646187002/">Milwaukee Journal Sentinel</a>&nbsp;reported.

The program pays up to 120% of direct or guaranteed farm loan balances for Black, American Indian, Hispanic, Asian American or Pacific Islander farmers. President Joe Biden's administration created the loan forgiveness program as part of its COVID-19 pandemic relief plan.

Minority farmers have maintained for decades that they have been unfairly denied farm loans and other government assistance. Federal agriculture officials in 1999 and 2010 settled lawsuits from Black farmers accusing the agency of discriminating against them.

Conservative law firm Wisconsin Institute for Law and Liberty&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/wisconsin-lawsuits-business-31e568255f85fb7655d20319d8dc271d">filed suit in April</a>&nbsp;arguing white farmers aren’t eligible, amounting to a violation of their constitutional rights. The firm sued on behalf of 12 farmers from Wisconsin, Minnesota, South Dakota, Missouri, Iowa, Arkansas, Oregon and Kentucky.

MILWAUKEE (AP) — A federal judge has halted a loan forgiveness program for farmers of color in response to a lawsuit alleging the program discriminates against white farmers.U.S. District Judge William Griesbach in Milwaukee issued a temporary restraining order Thursday suspending the program for socially disadvantaged farmers and ranchers, the&nbsp;<a href="https://www.jsonline.com/story/news/2021/06/10/judge-suspends-biden-debt-relief-program-farmers-color/7646187002/">Milwaukee Journal Sentinel</a>&nbsp;reported.The program pays up to 120% of direct or guaranteed farm loan balances for Black, American Indian, Hispanic, Asian American or Pacific Islander farmers. President Joe Biden's administration created the loan forgiveness program as part of its COVID-19 pandemic relief plan.Minority farmers have maintained for decades that they have been unfairly denied farm loans and other government assistance. Federal agriculture officials in 1999 and 2010 settled lawsuits from Black farmers accusing the agency of discriminating against them.Conservative law firm Wisconsin Institute for Law and Liberty&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/wisconsin-lawsuits-business-31e568255f85fb7655d20319d8dc271d">filed suit in April</a>&nbsp;arguing white farmers aren’t eligible, amounting to a violation of their constitutional rights. The firm sued on behalf of 12 farmers from Wisconsin, Minnesota, South Dakota, Missouri, Iowa, Arkansas, Oregon and Kentucky.

Judge pauses loan forgiveness program for farmers of color

TC Energy Corporation, the developer behind the Keystone XL Pipeline in Canada, confirmed the cancellation of the project this week. Construction activities to advance the project were suspended following an executive order by President Joe Biden on his first day in office. 

The company will continue to coordinate with regulators and stakeholders to meet its environmental and regulatory commitments and ensure a safe exit from the project. TC Energy's CEO states, "We remain grateful to the many organizations that supported the project and would have shared in its benefits.” 

House Energy and Commerce Committee Energy Subcommittee Republican Leader Fred Upton, a Michigan Republican, states, “Now Keystone XL is officially dead and President Biden’s radical decision is proving to be disastrous for American workers and their families.” 

However, Environmental Natural Resources Defense Council spokesperson Anthony Swift says, “Keystone XL was a terrible idea from the start,” adding, “It‘s time to accelerate our transition to the clean energy sources that will power a prosperous future.”

TC Energy Corporation, the developer behind the Keystone XL Pipeline in Canada, confirmed the cancellation of the project this week. Construction activities to advance the project were suspended following an executive order by President Joe Biden on his first day in office. The company will continue to coordinate with regulators and stakeholders to meet its environmental and regulatory commitments and ensure a safe exit from the project. TC Energy's CEO states, "We remain grateful to the many organizations that supported the project and would have shared in its benefits.” House Energy and Commerce Committee Energy Subcommittee Republican Leader Fred Upton, a Michigan Republican, states, “Now Keystone XL is officially dead and President Biden’s radical decision is proving to be disastrous for American workers and their families.” However, Environmental Natural Resources Defense Council spokesperson Anthony Swift says, “Keystone XL was a terrible idea from the start,” adding, “It‘s time to accelerate our transition to the clean energy sources that will power a prosperous future.”

Canadian developer confirms cancellation of Keystone XL Pipeline

Farm groups are ready to defend the Navigable Waters Protection rule after the Environmental Protection Agency announced intent to repeal and rewrite the rule. 

The National Cattlemen’s Beef Association and Public Lands Council, in a joint statement, say, “The NWPR was an immense step forward in rectifying the egregious overreach of the 2015 rule.” 

NCBA Executive Director of Natural Resources and PLC Executive Director Kaitlynn Glover says, “Livestock producers, who manage both their private lands and safeguard public lands, have a deep-seated commitment to protecting and improving our waterways — which is why it is so deeply frustrating when EPA opts for government overreach instead of effective, proven public-private partnerships.” 

NCBA and PLC were instrumental in the repeal of the 2015 WOTUS rule and are currently engaged in litigation to defend the NWPR. American Farm Bureau Federation President Zippy Duvall states, “We expected extensive outreach, but the announcement fails to recognize the concerns of farmers and ranchers.”

Farm groups are ready to defend the Navigable Waters Protection rule after the Environmental Protection Agency announced intent to repeal and rewrite the rule. The National Cattlemen’s Beef Association and Public Lands Council, in a joint statement, say, “The NWPR was an immense step forward in rectifying the egregious overreach of the 2015 rule.” NCBA Executive Director of Natural Resources and PLC Executive Director Kaitlynn Glover says, “Livestock producers, who manage both their private lands and safeguard public lands, have a deep-seated commitment to protecting and improving our waterways — which is why it is so deeply frustrating when EPA opts for government overreach instead of effective, proven public-private partnerships.” NCBA and PLC were instrumental in the repeal of the 2015 WOTUS rule and are currently engaged in litigation to defend the NWPR. American Farm Bureau Federation President Zippy Duvall states, “We expected extensive outreach, but the announcement fails to recognize the concerns of farmers and ranchers.”

Ag groups ready to defend WOTUS

Leading U.S. agriculture groups call for lawmakers to come together on a bipartisan infrastructure package. Led by Farmers for Free Trade, a letter to lawmakers includes support from every step of the U.S. supply chain. 

The letter comes as negotiations among a bipartisan group of Senators accelerate and Congressional leaders weigh the path forward for infrastructure investments. The letter states, “American agriculture depends on access to new foreign and domestic markets, and that access depends on reliable infrastructure.” 

Further, the letter states, “We ask all members of the 117th Congress to recognize the importance of infrastructure to the health of the nation’s food and agricultural economy.” 

The letter focuses on the economic importance of agricultural trade, the importance of infrastructure for ag supply chains and exports, how infrastructure spending will support ag and rural jobs, current deficiencies in ag infrastructure, the benefits of investing in rural broadband and the importance of passing an infrastructure package to compete globally.

Leading U.S. agriculture groups call for lawmakers to come together on a bipartisan infrastructure package. Led by Farmers for Free Trade, a letter to lawmakers includes support from every step of the U.S. supply chain. The letter comes as negotiations among a bipartisan group of Senators accelerate and Congressional leaders weigh the path forward for infrastructure investments. The letter states, “American agriculture depends on access to new foreign and domestic markets, and that access depends on reliable infrastructure.” Further, the letter states, “We ask all members of the 117th Congress to recognize the importance of infrastructure to the health of the nation’s food and agricultural economy.” The letter focuses on the economic importance of agricultural trade, the importance of infrastructure for ag supply chains and exports, how infrastructure spending will support ag and rural jobs, current deficiencies in ag infrastructure, the benefits of investing in rural broadband and the importance of passing an infrastructure package to compete globally.

Major U.S. ag groups call for bipartisan infrastructure package

The Biden administration's Environmental Protection Agency plans to repeal and rewrite the definition of water of the United States, or WOTUS. The EPA announced Wednesday it will repeal the Trump-era Navigable Waters Protection Rule, which replaced the Obama-era Waters of the U.S. rule. 

EPA Administrator Michael Regan states, “the EPA and Department of the Army have determined that this rule is leading to significant environmental degradation.” A review of the rule requested by President Joe Biden claims stakeholders are seeing destructive impacts to critical water bodies. The Department of Justice Wednesday filled a motion requesting remand of the rule without vacating it. 

The EPA, along with the Army Corps of Engineers, say they will rework the rule to protect water resources and communities consistent with the Clean Water Act. The agencies say the new rule will reflect input from landowners, agriculture, and state and local governments, along with environmental groups.

The Biden administration's Environmental Protection Agency plans to repeal and rewrite the definition of water of the United States, or WOTUS. The EPA announced Wednesday it will repeal the Trump-era Navigable Waters Protection Rule, which replaced the Obama-era Waters of the U.S. rule. EPA Administrator Michael Regan states, “the EPA and Department of the Army have determined that this rule is leading to significant environmental degradation.” A review of the rule requested by President Joe Biden claims stakeholders are seeing destructive impacts to critical water bodies. The Department of Justice Wednesday filled a motion requesting remand of the rule without vacating it. The EPA, along with the Army Corps of Engineers, say they will rework the rule to protect water resources and communities consistent with the Clean Water Act. The agencies say the new rule will reflect input from landowners, agriculture, and state and local governments, along with environmental groups.

EPA announces intent to revise definition of WOTUS

Many types of vintage tractors, the smell of baking cookies, and many more fun events will fill the Andrew County Museum this coming Saturday evening.

The Andrew County Museum will be holding a vintage tractor show from 1 to 5 pm on Saturday, and the best part is it's a free event.&nbsp; You can see many different tractors ranging from Allis Chalmers to John Deere to Ford and the list goes on and on.

But it's not only tractors that should draw you out.

 There will also be a cookie baking contest, a rock painting challenge for kids, as well as a super farmer kid event, and the pedal tractor pull and many other fun events.

For more information you can check out the Andrew County Museums website <a href="https://andrewcountymuseum.org/Tractor-Show-2021/">HERE</a>

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2021/6/1623341600301.jpeg" alt="Photo courtesy of&nbsp; Andrew County Museum" />
 <figcaption>Photo courtesy of&nbsp; Andrew County Museum</figcaption>
 </figure>By MATT PIKESt. Joseph PostMany types of vintage tractors, the smell of baking cookies, and many more fun events will fill the Andrew County Museum this coming Saturday evening.The Andrew County Museum will be holding a vintage tractor show from 1 to 5 pm on Saturday, and the best part is it's a free event.&nbsp; You can see many different tractors ranging from Allis Chalmers to John Deere to Ford and the list goes on and on.But it's not only tractors that should draw you out. There will also be a cookie baking contest, a rock painting challenge for kids, as well as a super farmer kid event, and the pedal tractor pull and many other fun events.For more information you can check out the Andrew County Museums website <a href="https://andrewcountymuseum.org/Tractor-Show-2021/">HERE</a>

Vintage Tractor Show returns to Andrew County Museum in 2021

World Pork Expo this week brings a highlight of pork industry priorities. National Pork Producers Council President Jen Sorenson says, “After a two-year absence, we’re thrilled for the return of Work Pork Expo, showcasing the latest developments in the U.S. pork industry.” 

The event last year was canceled because of the coronavirus pandemic and the year prior over African swine fever concerns. NPPC is using the event to focus on the organization’s priorities in 2021. Those include the federal district court ruling striking down faster harvest facility line speeds. 

Additionally, NPPC is challenging California's Proposition 12. Set to go into effect next year, it will impose arbitrary animal housing standards that reach far outside the State's borders, while driving up costs for pork producers and consumers. Other near-term priorities for pork producers include expanding export markets, addressing agriculture labor reform, and advocating for measures to ensure foreign agriculture diseases remain outside the country.

World Pork Expo this week brings a highlight of pork industry priorities. National Pork Producers Council President Jen Sorenson says, “After a two-year absence, we’re thrilled for the return of Work Pork Expo, showcasing the latest developments in the U.S. pork industry.” The event last year was canceled because of the coronavirus pandemic and the year prior over African swine fever concerns. NPPC is using the event to focus on the organization’s priorities in 2021. Those include the federal district court ruling striking down faster harvest facility line speeds. Additionally, NPPC is challenging California's Proposition 12. Set to go into effect next year, it will impose arbitrary animal housing standards that reach far outside the State's borders, while driving up costs for pork producers and consumers. Other near-term priorities for pork producers include expanding export markets, addressing agriculture labor reform, and advocating for measures to ensure foreign agriculture diseases remain outside the country.

World Pork Expo showcases top pork priorities

A coalition of agriculture groups and universities calls on Congress and the Biden administration to increase funding for agricultural research. The groups say an increase of $40 billion is needed for agricultural research. In separate letters to President Joe Biden and House and Senate leadership, the groups say.

 “We strongly support a robust investment of at least $40 billion, for agricultural climate research, agricultural innovation, and agricultural research infrastructure in any comprehensive infrastructure package moving forward.” 

The coalition says that research makes the food and agriculture sectors a powerhouse of the U.S. economy by providing solutions to short- and long-term challenges. A recent study found U.S. public food and agriculture R&amp;D spending from 1910 to 2007 returned, on average, $17 in benefits for every $1 invested. The federal share of overall R&amp;D spending as a percentage of GDP is now at its lowest point since the 1950s, and food and agriculture lags behind most other federal R&amp;D areas.

A coalition of agriculture groups and universities calls on Congress and the Biden administration to increase funding for agricultural research. The groups say an increase of $40 billion is needed for agricultural research. In separate letters to President Joe Biden and House and Senate leadership, the groups say. “We strongly support a robust investment of at least $40 billion, for agricultural climate research, agricultural innovation, and agricultural research infrastructure in any comprehensive infrastructure package moving forward.” The coalition says that research makes the food and agriculture sectors a powerhouse of the U.S. economy by providing solutions to short- and long-term challenges. A recent study found U.S. public food and agriculture R&amp;D spending from 1910 to 2007 returned, on average, $17 in benefits for every $1 invested. The federal share of overall R&amp;D spending as a percentage of GDP is now at its lowest point since the 1950s, and food and agriculture lags behind most other federal R&amp;D areas.

Ag Coalition calls for more ag research funding

A proposal to list the lesser prairie chicken as endangered in parts of Texas and New Mexico is drawing concerns beyond agriculture. The listing could create problems to oil and gas development in the largest U.S. petroleum basin and be problematic for wind power. 

The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service announced the proposal last month for areas in Texas, New Mexico and Southwest Kansas. Bloomberg Law reports the Fish and Wildlife Service is considering a possible mile-wide zone around each wind turbine the agency would assume the bird could no longer live. 

The Texas Panhandle is one of the country’s most productive regions for wind energy. The wind power industry believes wind turbines don’t severely harm the lesser prairie-chicken. 

The bird previously was listed as threatened under the ESA. However, a federal judge tossed out the listing in 2015 after finding the Fish and Wildlife Service didn’t account for the oil industry’s voluntary efforts to protect the bird’s habitat.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2021/6/1623247945489.jpeg" alt="Photo Courtesy of Missouri Dept of Conservation" />
 <figcaption>Photo Courtesy of Missouri Dept of Conservation</figcaption>
 </figure>A proposal to list the lesser prairie chicken as endangered in parts of Texas and New Mexico is drawing concerns beyond agriculture. The listing could create problems to oil and gas development in the largest U.S. petroleum basin and be problematic for wind power. The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service announced the proposal last month for areas in Texas, New Mexico and Southwest Kansas. Bloomberg Law reports the Fish and Wildlife Service is considering a possible mile-wide zone around each wind turbine the agency would assume the bird could no longer live. The Texas Panhandle is one of the country’s most productive regions for wind energy. The wind power industry believes wind turbines don’t severely harm the lesser prairie-chicken. The bird previously was listed as threatened under the ESA. However, a federal judge tossed out the listing in 2015 after finding the Fish and Wildlife Service didn’t account for the oil industry’s voluntary efforts to protect the bird’s habitat.