Legislation introduced last week would remove burdensome government regulations from the trucking industry, according to Senator Mike Rounds. 

The South Dakota Republican introduced the Trucking Regulations Unduly Constricting Known Service-providers, or TRUCKS Act. 

Rounds says the regulations are burdensome to agriculture, school districts and trucking companies. In 2012, then-President Obama signed into law legislation that set in motion a new rule that created a requirement for Entry-Level Driver Training. 

The final rulemaking went into effect earlier this year. All new drivers who wish to obtain their Commercial Driver’s License must now complete Entry-Level Driver Training, adding a burdensome requirement at a time when the American Trucking Association estimates a nationwide trucker shortage of 80,000 drivers. 

The bill would allow states to issue a new “Small Business Restricted CDL” so Entry-Level Driver Training requirements would not affect small businesses with nine CDLs or less. The U.S. Custom Harvesters have endorsed the legislation.

Legislation introduced last week would remove burdensome government regulations from the trucking industry, according to Senator Mike Rounds. The South Dakota Republican introduced the Trucking Regulations Unduly Constricting Known Service-providers, or TRUCKS Act. Rounds says the regulations are burdensome to agriculture, school districts and trucking companies. In 2012, then-President Obama signed into law legislation that set in motion a new rule that created a requirement for Entry-Level Driver Training. The final rulemaking went into effect earlier this year. All new drivers who wish to obtain their Commercial Driver’s License must now complete Entry-Level Driver Training, adding a burdensome requirement at a time when the American Trucking Association estimates a nationwide trucker shortage of 80,000 drivers. The bill would allow states to issue a new “Small Business Restricted CDL” so Entry-Level Driver Training requirements would not affect small businesses with nine CDLs or less. The U.S. Custom Harvesters have endorsed the legislation.

Legislation would reduce regulation on trucking industry

Fuel prices fell again last week, but GasBuddy says the near-term future is murky. 

The decline marks the 14th&nbsp;consecutive week of declines. The nation's average gas price declined 3.9 cents from a week ago to $3.64 per gallon. 

The national average is down 25.7 cents from a month ago but 45.9 cents higher than a year ago.&nbsp;&nbsp;The average diesel price declined 7.0 cents last week and stands at $4.93 per gallon. 

However, this week could change the downward trend, according to GasBuddy’s Patrick De Haan, who says, “With some issues arising in Plains and Great Lakes states as the transition to winter gasoline begins, I think we have the best potential to see the weekly trend of falling prices snapped.” 

West Coast states also continue to see increases as unexpected refinery issues continue to percolate, preventing a downward move. De Haan adds, “diesel prices should continue to ease after a much-needed jump in inventories last week.”

Fuel prices fell again last week, but GasBuddy says the near-term future is murky. The decline marks the 14th&nbsp;consecutive week of declines. The nation's average gas price declined 3.9 cents from a week ago to $3.64 per gallon. The national average is down 25.7 cents from a month ago but 45.9 cents higher than a year ago.&nbsp;&nbsp;The average diesel price declined 7.0 cents last week and stands at $4.93 per gallon. However, this week could change the downward trend, according to GasBuddy’s Patrick De Haan, who says, “With some issues arising in Plains and Great Lakes states as the transition to winter gasoline begins, I think we have the best potential to see the weekly trend of falling prices snapped.” West Coast states also continue to see increases as unexpected refinery issues continue to percolate, preventing a downward move. De Haan adds, “diesel prices should continue to ease after a much-needed jump in inventories last week.”

Murky future for fuel prices

The Climate-Smart agriculture partnerships funding announced last week has some environmental groups drawing criticism. 

While welcomed by many in the food and agriculture sector, environmental group Friends of the Earth says some of the funding recipients are unacceptable. 

Funding recipients and partners include a range of corporations, universities, NGOs, trade associations, farms, tribal organizations, and state agencies. 

USDA is expected to soon make another announcement of $700 million for smaller projects under this initiative. Jason Davison, Senior Food and Agriculture Campaigner at Friends of the Earth, says, “Unfortunately, several of them will funnel tens of millions of taxpayer dollars to some of the most egregious climate offenders — Big Ag corporations like JBS, Cargill, and ADM.” 

Davison adds, “Many of these corporations and trade associations have historically fought climate mitigation measures, refusing to report data on their emissions and other pollution.” Friends of the Earth called on Congress and the Department of Agriculture to ensure transparency and accountability for the projects.

The Climate-Smart agriculture partnerships funding announced last week has some environmental groups drawing criticism. While welcomed by many in the food and agriculture sector, environmental group Friends of the Earth says some of the funding recipients are unacceptable. Funding recipients and partners include a range of corporations, universities, NGOs, trade associations, farms, tribal organizations, and state agencies. USDA is expected to soon make another announcement of $700 million for smaller projects under this initiative. Jason Davison, Senior Food and Agriculture Campaigner at Friends of the Earth, says, “Unfortunately, several of them will funnel tens of millions of taxpayer dollars to some of the most egregious climate offenders — Big Ag corporations like JBS, Cargill, and ADM.” Davison adds, “Many of these corporations and trade associations have historically fought climate mitigation measures, refusing to report data on their emissions and other pollution.” Friends of the Earth called on Congress and the Department of Agriculture to ensure transparency and accountability for the projects.

Not all happy with Climate-Smart practices funding

By ARIANA FIGUEROA <a href="https://nebraskaexaminer.com/2022/09/17/topsoil-protection-should-be-stressed-in-the-next-farm-bill-u-s-house-ag-panel-told/">States Newsroom</a>

WASHINGTON — Farmers and academics at
 a hearing this week stressed the need for members of the U.S. House 
Agriculture Committee to support regenerative agriculture farming 
practices in the upcoming farm bill in order to protect topsoil.

U.S. House Agriculture Committee 
Chair David Scott said he held the hearing Wednesday to discuss ways 
policymakers and the Department of Agriculture could help farmers 
incorporate regenerative agriculture practices. That investment in soil 
health would curb climate change and prevent a food shortage, the 
Georgia Democrat said.

Regenerative agriculture occurs in 
farming and grazing practices that focus on rebuilding organic matter in
 topsoil, restoring degraded soil biodiversity and improving the water 
cycle. All of these mitigate climate change by growing plants that 
capture carbon dioxide and move it into the soil.&nbsp;

“Conventional agriculture models are 
degrading American soil,” Jeff Moyer, the chief executive officer of 
Rodale Institute in Kutztown, Pennsylvania, said. Rodale was a pioneer 
in organic farming.

About 95% of food is grown from 
topsoil, which is the most important component to food systems. If soil 
cannot filter water and adsorb carbon, it will hinder farmers’ ability 
to grow food to feed people, creating a food crisis. Around the world, 
soil is eroding 10<a target="_blank" href="https://news.cornell.edu/stories/2006/03/slow-insidious-soil-erosion-threatens-human-health-and-welfare"> to 40 times faster than it can be replaced.&nbsp;</a>

Moyer said that a third of the 
world’s soil has already degraded, and if “the current rate of soil 
degradation continues, all of the world’s topsoil could be lost within 
60 years.”

“The very start of our food supply 
chain is the Earth, and we are losing the viable component of carbon,” 
Scott said, adding that it’s important to get carbon back into the soil.
 Carbon is the primary energy source for plants.

<a target="_blank" href="https://agupubs.onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/10.1029/2021EF002396">A study</a>
 by the University of Massachusetts Amherst in February found that “the 
Midwest has lost approximately 57.6 billion metric tons of topsoil since
 farmers began tilling the soil, 160 years ago.”&nbsp;

“The historical erosion rates exceed 
predictions of present-day erosion rates from national soil erosion 
assessments and levels considered tolerable by the U.S. Department of 
Agriculture,” according to the report.

The Biden administration has funneled
 as much as $3 billion to projects that will reduce greenhouse gas 
emissions and sequester carbon in agriculture. On Wednesday, <a target="_blank" href="https://iowacapitaldispatch.com/2022/09/14/usda-more-than-triples-funding-for-climate-smart-agriculture/">USDA announced</a> an expansion of the Partnerships for Climate-Smart Commodities program to fund conservation programs.

Scott said a documentary, titled “<a target="_blank" href="https://kissthegroundmovie.com">Kiss the Ground</a>,” helped open his eyes to the need to invest in regenerative agriculture.

“That is the way that we make sure that we have food security,” he said.

Republicans on the committee stressed
 that USDA programs based around regenerative agriculture should not 
become mandatory, and the top GOP lawmaker, Glenn Thompson, of 
Pennsylvania, argued that “tying food policy to climate policy is 
harmful.”&nbsp;

“Small farmers can’t always take on 
the risks that large farms can when adopting new practices, and I 
certainly don’t want to be the person that walks on to one of their 
farms and tells them the federal government mandates that they uphold 
your economic viability of their operations and livelihoods for the sake
 of climate change,” Thompson said.

He added that inflation was also more of an issue to farmers and that many farmers in his state <a target="_blank" href="https://www.ers.usda.gov/webdocs/publications/100551/eib-222.pdf">already practice regenerative agriculture</a> such as cover crops, which help prevent soil erosion and keep nutrients in the soil.&nbsp;

Rep. Jim Baird, an Indiana 
Republican, also questioned whether organic food was more nutritious 
than that produced by standard farming practices.&nbsp;

Rebecca Larson, the vice president of
 the Western Sugar Cooperative in Denver, said there’s no substantial 
research that organic food has more nutrients and much of that rhetoric 
is “fear-based marketing.”

<a target="_blank" href="https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/26878105/">A study from 2019</a> has found that organic production can boost some key nutrients in foods, but most of those increases are moderate.

Rick Clark, a farmer from 
Williamsport, Indiana, said he adopted regenerative farming practices 
for his 7,000-acre cattle farm to rebuild the soil health over the past 
decade.&nbsp;

“We need to preserve our soil, ’cause that is going to be the future of our farming,” he said.

Rep. Shontel Brown, an Ohio Democrat, asked Clark how Congress can support regenerative farming efforts.&nbsp;&nbsp;

Clark, a representative from 
Regenerate America, urged lawmakers to consider bolstering education and
 technical assistance to farmers wanting to start using those practices,
 such as the Environmental Quality Incentives Program from USDA. 
Regenerate America is a coalition of farmers and business partners that 
lobby for regenerative farming practices in the upcoming farm bill.&nbsp;

“Teaching and a support group is so critical here,” he said.

Clark said that he believes these 
programs should remain voluntary but that the government should consider
 giving farmers who implement these practices the biggest share of 
federal subsidiary benefits. He also urged lawmakers to bolster crop 
insurance to help reduce the risk farmers have when implementing 
regenerative farming practices.&nbsp;

“This means bolstering crop insurance
 by removing outdated barriers and creating incentives that recognize 
the risk-reduction benefits of soil health and conservation practices 
and reward farmers implementing those practices — like a ‘good driver’ 
discount on your car insurance,” he said.

Moyer also pushed for lawmakers to 
reform crop insurance because current policies “create disincentives for
 American farmers seeking to transition and operate under a regenerative
 organic model.”

Clark added that USDA should consider
 defining what regenerative agriculture means and those practices should
 be added to labels for consumers. Clark added that many of the 
practices used in regenerative farming originated from Indigenous 
farming practices, and said those voices need to be heard by the 
committee.

&nbsp;Rep. Alma Adams, a North Carolina 
Democrat, asked one of the witnesses, Steve Nygren from Chattahoochee 
Hills, Georgia, how regenerative agriculture can help build local 
economies.

Nygren is the founder and chief 
executive officer of Serenbe, which is an urban village within the city 
limits of Chattahoochee Hills that he and his wife <a target="_blank" href="https://www.asla.org/ContentDetail.aspx?id=47383">created</a> with the vision of a sustainable community.&nbsp;

“Soil health leads to economic vitality,” he said.

He said the shrinking of family farms
 has an economic impact on the local community. Industrial agriculture 
is not going to support the local economy the way local farmers do, he 
said.&nbsp;

“Think of soil health as a way to bring small towns back to life,” Nygren said.

He pointed to his state as an 
example. In 1950, nearly half of Georgia’s food came from the state, and
 today that number is nearly a quarter. In Serenbe, 70 percent of the 
40,000 acres is reserved for agriculture and each week 75 families pay 
$34 for their weekly produce.&nbsp;

“If we bring small farms back into 
rural communities across the United States we’ll not only have a local 
food system that doesn’t depend on fossil fuels to get it to the shelf, 
but it can go directly from the farms to the consumer … it will really 
stimulate the local economy,” he said.&nbsp;

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2022/9/1663608069576.jpg" alt="Image courtesy of Pixabay" />
 <figcaption>Image courtesy of Pixabay</figcaption>
 </figure>By ARIANA FIGUEROA <a href="https://nebraskaexaminer.com/2022/09/17/topsoil-protection-should-be-stressed-in-the-next-farm-bill-u-s-house-ag-panel-told/">States Newsroom</a>WASHINGTON — Farmers and academics at
 a hearing this week stressed the need for members of the U.S. House 
Agriculture Committee to support regenerative agriculture farming 
practices in the upcoming farm bill in order to protect topsoil.U.S. House Agriculture Committee 
Chair David Scott said he held the hearing Wednesday to discuss ways 
policymakers and the Department of Agriculture could help farmers 
incorporate regenerative agriculture practices. That investment in soil 
health would curb climate change and prevent a food shortage, the 
Georgia Democrat said.Regenerative agriculture occurs in 
farming and grazing practices that focus on rebuilding organic matter in
 topsoil, restoring degraded soil biodiversity and improving the water 
cycle. All of these mitigate climate change by growing plants that 
capture carbon dioxide and move it into the soil.&nbsp;“Conventional agriculture models are 
degrading American soil,” Jeff Moyer, the chief executive officer of 
Rodale Institute in Kutztown, Pennsylvania, said. Rodale was a pioneer 
in organic farming.About 95% of food is grown from 
topsoil, which is the most important component to food systems. If soil 
cannot filter water and adsorb carbon, it will hinder farmers’ ability 
to grow food to feed people, creating a food crisis. Around the world, 
soil is eroding 10<a target="_blank" href="https://news.cornell.edu/stories/2006/03/slow-insidious-soil-erosion-threatens-human-health-and-welfare"> to 40 times faster than it can be replaced.&nbsp;</a>Moyer said that a third of the 
world’s soil has already degraded, and if “the current rate of soil 
degradation continues, all of the world’s topsoil could be lost within 
60 years.”“The very start of our food supply 
chain is the Earth, and we are losing the viable component of carbon,” 
Scott said, adding that it’s important to get carbon back into the soil.
 Carbon is the primary energy source for plants.<a target="_blank" href="https://agupubs.onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/10.1029/2021EF002396">A study</a>
 by the University of Massachusetts Amherst in February found that “the 
Midwest has lost approximately 57.6 billion metric tons of topsoil since
 farmers began tilling the soil, 160 years ago.”&nbsp;“The historical erosion rates exceed 
predictions of present-day erosion rates from national soil erosion 
assessments and levels considered tolerable by the U.S. Department of 
Agriculture,” according to the report.<h2>USDA project funding</h2>The Biden administration has funneled
 as much as $3 billion to projects that will reduce greenhouse gas 
emissions and sequester carbon in agriculture. On Wednesday, <a target="_blank" href="https://iowacapitaldispatch.com/2022/09/14/usda-more-than-triples-funding-for-climate-smart-agriculture/">USDA announced</a> an expansion of the Partnerships for Climate-Smart Commodities program to fund conservation programs.Scott said a documentary, titled “<a target="_blank" href="https://kissthegroundmovie.com">Kiss the Ground</a>,” helped open his eyes to the need to invest in regenerative agriculture.“That is the way that we make sure that we have food security,” he said.Republicans on the committee stressed
 that USDA programs based around regenerative agriculture should not 
become mandatory, and the top GOP lawmaker, Glenn Thompson, of 
Pennsylvania, argued that “tying food policy to climate policy is 
harmful.”&nbsp;“Small farmers can’t always take on 
the risks that large farms can when adopting new practices, and I 
certainly don’t want to be the person that walks on to one of their 
farms and tells them the federal government mandates that they uphold 
your economic viability of their operations and livelihoods for the sake
 of climate change,” Thompson said.He added that inflation was also more of an issue to farmers and that many farmers in his state <a target="_blank" href="https://www.ers.usda.gov/webdocs/publications/100551/eib-222.pdf">already practice regenerative agriculture</a> such as cover crops, which help prevent soil erosion and keep nutrients in the soil.&nbsp;Rep. Jim Baird, an Indiana 
Republican, also questioned whether organic food was more nutritious 
than that produced by standard farming practices.&nbsp;Rebecca Larson, the vice president of
 the Western Sugar Cooperative in Denver, said there’s no substantial 
research that organic food has more nutrients and much of that rhetoric 
is “fear-based marketing.”<a target="_blank" href="https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/26878105/">A study from 2019</a> has found that organic production can boost some key nutrients in foods, but most of those increases are moderate.<h2>Rebuilding soil health</h2>Rick Clark, a farmer from 
Williamsport, Indiana, said he adopted regenerative farming practices 
for his 7,000-acre cattle farm to rebuild the soil health over the past 
decade.&nbsp;“We need to preserve our soil, ’cause that is going to be the future of our farming,” he said.Rep. Shontel Brown, an Ohio Democrat, asked Clark how Congress can support regenerative farming efforts.&nbsp;&nbsp;Clark, a representative from 
Regenerate America, urged lawmakers to consider bolstering education and
 technical assistance to farmers wanting to start using those practices,
 such as the Environmental Quality Incentives Program from USDA. 
Regenerate America is a coalition of farmers and business partners that 
lobby for regenerative farming practices in the upcoming farm bill.&nbsp;“Teaching and a support group is so critical here,” he said.Clark said that he believes these 
programs should remain voluntary but that the government should consider
 giving farmers who implement these practices the biggest share of 
federal subsidiary benefits. He also urged lawmakers to bolster crop 
insurance to help reduce the risk farmers have when implementing 
regenerative farming practices.&nbsp;“This means bolstering crop insurance
 by removing outdated barriers and creating incentives that recognize 
the risk-reduction benefits of soil health and conservation practices 
and reward farmers implementing those practices — like a ‘good driver’ 
discount on your car insurance,” he said.Moyer also pushed for lawmakers to 
reform crop insurance because current policies “create disincentives for
 American farmers seeking to transition and operate under a regenerative
 organic model.”Clark added that USDA should consider
 defining what regenerative agriculture means and those practices should
 be added to labels for consumers. Clark added that many of the 
practices used in regenerative farming originated from Indigenous 
farming practices, and said those voices need to be heard by the 
committee.<h2>Economic benefits</h2>&nbsp;Rep. Alma Adams, a North Carolina 
Democrat, asked one of the witnesses, Steve Nygren from Chattahoochee 
Hills, Georgia, how regenerative agriculture can help build local 
economies.Nygren is the founder and chief 
executive officer of Serenbe, which is an urban village within the city 
limits of Chattahoochee Hills that he and his wife <a target="_blank" href="https://www.asla.org/ContentDetail.aspx?id=47383">created</a> with the vision of a sustainable community.&nbsp;“Soil health leads to economic vitality,” he said.He said the shrinking of family farms
 has an economic impact on the local community. Industrial agriculture 
is not going to support the local economy the way local farmers do, he 
said.&nbsp;“Think of soil health as a way to bring small towns back to life,” Nygren said.He pointed to his state as an 
example. In 1950, nearly half of Georgia’s food came from the state, and
 today that number is nearly a quarter. In Serenbe, 70 percent of the 
40,000 acres is reserved for agriculture and each week 75 families pay 
$34 for their weekly produce.&nbsp;“If we bring small farms back into 
rural communities across the United States we’ll not only have a local 
food system that doesn’t depend on fossil fuels to get it to the shelf, 
but it can go directly from the farms to the consumer … it will really 
stimulate the local economy,” he said.&nbsp;

Topsoil protection should be stressed in the next farm bill, panel told

Farmers are out in the fields harvesting their crops, and that means they are also out on the roadways and drivers should be aware of these slow-moving vehicles. 

MoDOT Assistant State Traffic Engineer Jon Nelson says the biggest thing to watch for with these farm vehicles, is that they are going to be slow moving. 

"So, when people encounter them or come up on them in the roadway there's a couple things that can happen, one is just that large speed differential and you're going to close that gap a lot sooner than you realize," Nelson tells KFEQ/St. Joseph Post. "So, whenever you see those larger pieces of equipment that should be an early sign to brake early and give yourself plenty of room." 

Nelson says the other issue that is frequent is driver frustration in getting stuck behind slow-moving vehicles.  

Nelson says it's important to stay patient when driving behind farm vehicles, and to remember also, 

"They're doing the work that they need to do to help put food on our tables, get stuff to the grocery store, the things that they do for a living just like everyone else does for a living," Nelson explains. "And so, I think just being patient but also considerate that this is somebody out there doing their job, much like if you were going to pass a first responder on the side of the road or a highway worker." 

Nelson says when driving behind a farm vehicle its best to stay patient and wait for the best opportunity to pass to avoid traffic accidents.  

Nelson says while he doesn't know if the overall number of traffic crashes is higher during harvest, the number of crashes involving farm vehicles does increase. Nelson says it's a good reminder to drivers. 

"Some of those habits we encourage throughout the year like driving the appropriate speed, always putting the cell phone down while you're driving, never driving impaired, those same things apply to this time of year," Nelson says. "Particularly the cell phone, the one way to miss a large piece of farm equipment in front of you is to be looking at your cell phone when you shouldn't be." 

Nelson encourages drivers to stay aware of slow-moving farm vehicles leaving and entering the fields and says drivers should be absolutely sure it's safe before attempting to pass a farm vehicle. 

By MATT PIKE St. Joseph Post Farmers are out in the fields harvesting their crops, and that means they are also out on the roadways and drivers should be aware of these slow-moving vehicles. MoDOT Assistant State Traffic Engineer Jon Nelson says the biggest thing to watch for with these farm vehicles, is that they are going to be slow moving. "So, when people encounter them or come up on them in the roadway there's a couple things that can happen, one is just that large speed differential and you're going to close that gap a lot sooner than you realize," Nelson tells KFEQ/St. Joseph Post. "So, whenever you see those larger pieces of equipment that should be an early sign to brake early and give yourself plenty of room." Nelson says the other issue that is frequent is driver frustration in getting stuck behind slow-moving vehicles. Nelson says it's important to stay patient when driving behind farm vehicles, and to remember also, "They're doing the work that they need to do to help put food on our tables, get stuff to the grocery store, the things that they do for a living just like everyone else does for a living," Nelson explains. "And so, I think just being patient but also considerate that this is somebody out there doing their job, much like if you were going to pass a first responder on the side of the road or a highway worker." Nelson says when driving behind a farm vehicle its best to stay patient and wait for the best opportunity to pass to avoid traffic accidents. Nelson says while he doesn't know if the overall number of traffic crashes is higher during harvest, the number of crashes involving farm vehicles does increase. Nelson says it's a good reminder to drivers. "Some of those habits we encourage throughout the year like driving the appropriate speed, always putting the cell phone down while you're driving, never driving impaired, those same things apply to this time of year," Nelson says. "Particularly the cell phone, the one way to miss a large piece of farm equipment in front of you is to be looking at your cell phone when you shouldn't be." Nelson encourages drivers to stay aware of slow-moving farm vehicles leaving and entering the fields and says drivers should be absolutely sure it's safe before attempting to pass a farm vehicle.

Watch out for farm vehicles in and out of fields this harvest season

Representatives from the Taiwan Flour Millers Association signed a letter of intent last week with U.S. Wheat Associates to buy 1.9 million metric tons of U.S. wheat over the next two years. 

Officials from U.S. Wheat Associates say that’s about 69.8 million bushels of American wheat worth $576 million. 

The signing took place at the Capitol Building in Washington, D.C. Taiwan is the sixth-largest U.S. wheat export market and the seventh-largest overseas market for U.S. agricultural products. 

“American farmers place great value on the relationship between U.S. agriculture and Taiwan,” says Michael Peters, USW Vice Chairman. “We pride ourselves as being dependable partners who grow the highest quality agricultural products in the world.” 

The team from Taiwan also signed Letters of Intent with the U.S. Soybean Export Council and the U.S. Grains Council to purchase soybeans and corn. The total estimated commitment in the three letters is estimated at $3.2 billion.

Representatives from the Taiwan Flour Millers Association signed a letter of intent last week with U.S. Wheat Associates to buy 1.9 million metric tons of U.S. wheat over the next two years. Officials from U.S. Wheat Associates say that’s about 69.8 million bushels of American wheat worth $576 million. The signing took place at the Capitol Building in Washington, D.C. Taiwan is the sixth-largest U.S. wheat export market and the seventh-largest overseas market for U.S. agricultural products. “American farmers place great value on the relationship between U.S. agriculture and Taiwan,” says Michael Peters, USW Vice Chairman. “We pride ourselves as being dependable partners who grow the highest quality agricultural products in the world.” The team from Taiwan also signed Letters of Intent with the U.S. Soybean Export Council and the U.S. Grains Council to purchase soybeans and corn. The total estimated commitment in the three letters is estimated at $3.2 billion.

Team to purchase 69.8 million bushels of U.S. wheat

U.S. soybean exporters are off to a decent start as far as sales in the new marketing year. 

However, the first USDA report in several weeks says the shrinking U.S. crop, questionable Chinese demand, and South American competition are all threats to future sales opportunities. 

Reuters says those factors are pressuring U.S. corn exports too, but the latest level of sales was already uneventful ahead of the U.S. harvest. 

Technical issues prevented USDA from publishing weekly U.S. export data for almost a month. The data released last week included four weeks of sales ending on September 8. 

The data drought spanned marketing years as 2022-2023 began on September 1 for corn and soybeans. Soybean sales beat expectations in those four weeks at 5.75 million tons. 

For the 2022-2023 marketing year, U.S. corn sales during those four weeks hit 2.465 million tons. Total corn sales in the new marketing year reached 12.3 million tons.

U.S. soybean exporters are off to a decent start as far as sales in the new marketing year. However, the first USDA report in several weeks says the shrinking U.S. crop, questionable Chinese demand, and South American competition are all threats to future sales opportunities. Reuters says those factors are pressuring U.S. corn exports too, but the latest level of sales was already uneventful ahead of the U.S. harvest. Technical issues prevented USDA from publishing weekly U.S. export data for almost a month. The data released last week included four weeks of sales ending on September 8. The data drought spanned marketing years as 2022-2023 began on September 1 for corn and soybeans. Soybean sales beat expectations in those four weeks at 5.75 million tons. For the 2022-2023 marketing year, U.S. corn sales during those four weeks hit 2.465 million tons. Total corn sales in the new marketing year reached 12.3 million tons.

USDA resumes export sales reports

Last week, more than 250 members of the National Farmers Union came to Washington, D.C., from all over the country to advocate for family farmers. 

During the week, members attended hundreds of Congressional meetings, met with over a dozen federal agencies, and directly participated in discussions with Ag Secretary Tom Vilsack, Commodity Futures Trading Commission Chair Rostin Benham, and many others. 

“This has been an incredibly productive and successful fly-in for National Farmers Union,” says NFU President Rob Larew. 

“It’s a testament to the passion and interest of our members that they’re willing to take time away from the farm and come to Washington and build bipartisan support for Fairness for Farmers and their farm bill priorities.” 

Ag Secretary Tom Vilsack says National Farmers Union, in many respects, has been the architect and the designer of the work the Biden administration is doing in terms of farm country and agriculture.

Last week, more than 250 members of the National Farmers Union came to Washington, D.C., from all over the country to advocate for family farmers. During the week, members attended hundreds of Congressional meetings, met with over a dozen federal agencies, and directly participated in discussions with Ag Secretary Tom Vilsack, Commodity Futures Trading Commission Chair Rostin Benham, and many others. “This has been an incredibly productive and successful fly-in for National Farmers Union,” says NFU President Rob Larew. “It’s a testament to the passion and interest of our members that they’re willing to take time away from the farm and come to Washington and build bipartisan support for Fairness for Farmers and their farm bill priorities.” Ag Secretary Tom Vilsack says National Farmers Union, in many respects, has been the architect and the designer of the work the Biden administration is doing in terms of farm country and agriculture.

Farmers Union holds successful D.C. fly-in

The National Association of Wheat Growers and U.S. Wheat Associates applaud the tentative agreement between the railroads and rail union representative that averted a potential Friday rail shutdown. 

While the union members have to vote on the deal, they have agreed not to strike while the deal goes through ratification. 

“COVID-19 forced rail laborers into a tough situation as essential workers, and we applaud their willingness to come to an agreement,” says NAWG CEO Chandler Goule. 

“We also appreciate the railroads understanding the severity of the situation and taking steps to improve their services.” Wheat growers are uniquely reliant on rail due to the large distances between production and consumption. 

“Our country’s reputation as the world’s most reliable wheat supplier depends heavily on functioning rail transportation and that won’t change in the future,” says USW President Vince Peterson. Railroads have moved more than one billion bushels of wheat during the last five years.

The National Association of Wheat Growers and U.S. Wheat Associates applaud the tentative agreement between the railroads and rail union representative that averted a potential Friday rail shutdown. While the union members have to vote on the deal, they have agreed not to strike while the deal goes through ratification. “COVID-19 forced rail laborers into a tough situation as essential workers, and we applaud their willingness to come to an agreement,” says NAWG CEO Chandler Goule. “We also appreciate the railroads understanding the severity of the situation and taking steps to improve their services.” Wheat growers are uniquely reliant on rail due to the large distances between production and consumption. “Our country’s reputation as the world’s most reliable wheat supplier depends heavily on functioning rail transportation and that won’t change in the future,” says USW President Vince Peterson. Railroads have moved more than one billion bushels of wheat during the last five years.

Wheat growers applaud rail agreement

The Biden administration helped to broker a deal between the major railroads and labor unions. 

The agreement avoids a rail shutdown but still has to be approved by a vote of union members. 

The biggest issue in the dispute wasn’t pay but working conditions. 

Some freight rail engineers and conductors faced on-call schedules that could see them called to work on short notice up to seven days a week.&nbsp;&nbsp;CNN says roughly 30 percent of America’s freight moves by rail. Recently harvested crops would be stuck, unable to reach processing plants and risk spoiling. 

The shutdown would have likely made inflation worse, cost the U.S. economy up to $2 billion a day, and affected the agriculture, manufacturing, and energy sectors of the economy.&nbsp;&nbsp;

Emily Skor, CEO of Growth Energy, told Reuters that the deal is great for the ethanol industry as much of the country’s biofuel supplies are moved by railroads.

The Biden administration helped to broker a deal between the major railroads and labor unions. The agreement avoids a rail shutdown but still has to be approved by a vote of union members. The biggest issue in the dispute wasn’t pay but working conditions. Some freight rail engineers and conductors faced on-call schedules that could see them called to work on short notice up to seven days a week.&nbsp;&nbsp;CNN says roughly 30 percent of America’s freight moves by rail. Recently harvested crops would be stuck, unable to reach processing plants and risk spoiling. The shutdown would have likely made inflation worse, cost the U.S. economy up to $2 billion a day, and affected the agriculture, manufacturing, and energy sectors of the economy.&nbsp;&nbsp;Emily Skor, CEO of Growth Energy, told Reuters that the deal is great for the ethanol industry as much of the country’s biofuel supplies are moved by railroads.

Tentative railroad agreement reached

The National Cattlemen’s Beef Association reiterated the need for a limited version of the Securities and Exchange Commission’s greenhouse gas disclosure rule. 

SEC Chair Gary Gensler recently testified before the Senate Committee on Banking. 

“The SEC’s proposed greenhouse gas disclosure rule is aimed at large publicly-traded companies but would lead to unintended consequences for small businesses like farms and ranches,” says NCBA Chief Counsel Mary-Thomas Hart. 

“The rule would require data that simply does not exist at the farm or ranch level and increases the regulatory burden on individual cattle producers.”&nbsp;&nbsp;She also says they’re asking the SEC to limit their proposed rule to avoid unintentional impacts to farms and ranches across the country. 

The greenhouse gas rule would require businesses up and down the beef supply chain to disclose their greenhouse gas emissions, including farms and ranches. The rule would also expose individual producers to additional levels of legal liability.

The National Cattlemen’s Beef Association reiterated the need for a limited version of the Securities and Exchange Commission’s greenhouse gas disclosure rule. SEC Chair Gary Gensler recently testified before the Senate Committee on Banking. “The SEC’s proposed greenhouse gas disclosure rule is aimed at large publicly-traded companies but would lead to unintended consequences for small businesses like farms and ranches,” says NCBA Chief Counsel Mary-Thomas Hart. “The rule would require data that simply does not exist at the farm or ranch level and increases the regulatory burden on individual cattle producers.”&nbsp;&nbsp;She also says they’re asking the SEC to limit their proposed rule to avoid unintentional impacts to farms and ranches across the country. The greenhouse gas rule would require businesses up and down the beef supply chain to disclose their greenhouse gas emissions, including farms and ranches. The rule would also expose individual producers to additional levels of legal liability.

NCBA wants limited greenhouse gas rule

House Agriculture Committee Chair David Scott spoke after a hearing titled “Soil Health Practices and Programs that Support Regenerative Agriculture. ”

As I noted after my first hearing as Chair in 2021, changing weather patterns have introduced significant risks to agricultural production, forest resources, and the economy will affect risk-management tools, financial markets, and global food security,” Scott says. 

“The risks to agriculture are why topics like soil health are important to consider.” 

He also says the witnesses at the hearing provided the committee with valuable insight to help them better understand the conservation and economic benefits of soil health practices and how they support regenerative agriculture. 

“The lessons we learned through the Dust Bowl led to the creation of the Natural Resources Conservation Service,” Scott adds. “In the face of growing climate challenges, managing soil health is one of the most effective ways farmers can increase productivity and protect natural resources.”

House Agriculture Committee Chair David Scott spoke after a hearing titled “Soil Health Practices and Programs that Support Regenerative Agriculture. ”As I noted after my first hearing as Chair in 2021, changing weather patterns have introduced significant risks to agricultural production, forest resources, and the economy will affect risk-management tools, financial markets, and global food security,” Scott says. “The risks to agriculture are why topics like soil health are important to consider.” He also says the witnesses at the hearing provided the committee with valuable insight to help them better understand the conservation and economic benefits of soil health practices and how they support regenerative agriculture. “The lessons we learned through the Dust Bowl led to the creation of the Natural Resources Conservation Service,” Scott adds. “In the face of growing climate challenges, managing soil health is one of the most effective ways farmers can increase productivity and protect natural resources.”

Scott speaks on Soil Health, Regenerative practices after House ag hearing

The National Association of Conservation Districts is one of 70 partners selected to participate in USDA’s Climate-Smart Commodities Program. 

The NACD will receive a grant of up to $90 million over three years for technical, financial, and marketing assistance. 

The association intends to advance grassroots efforts that ensure producers and local communities are prepared to meet growing demand and have access to climate-smart commodity markets. 

The NACD’s goal is to leave no producer behind. “We’re thrilled about the opportunity to invest in local communities through the Climate-Smart Commodities Program,” says NACD President Michael Crowder.&nbsp;&nbsp;“We know that producers are more likely to implement climate-smart practices if transition risks are minimized and they have ready access to profitable market opportunities.” 

Roughly 70 percent of land in the lower 48 states is privately owned, which means implementing sound conservation practices relies on individual producers. This assistance will support producers in making sound conservation decisions.

The National Association of Conservation Districts is one of 70 partners selected to participate in USDA’s Climate-Smart Commodities Program. The NACD will receive a grant of up to $90 million over three years for technical, financial, and marketing assistance. The association intends to advance grassroots efforts that ensure producers and local communities are prepared to meet growing demand and have access to climate-smart commodity markets. The NACD’s goal is to leave no producer behind. “We’re thrilled about the opportunity to invest in local communities through the Climate-Smart Commodities Program,” says NACD President Michael Crowder.&nbsp;&nbsp;“We know that producers are more likely to implement climate-smart practices if transition risks are minimized and they have ready access to profitable market opportunities.” Roughly 70 percent of land in the lower 48 states is privately owned, which means implementing sound conservation practices relies on individual producers. This assistance will support producers in making sound conservation decisions.

NACD: “Leave no producer behind”

Ag Secretary Tom Vilsack says the USDA is investing up to $2.8 billion in 70 selected projects under the first pool of the Partnerships for Climate-Smart Commodities funding opportunity. 

USDA’s initial investment of $1 billion is expected to triple to more than $3 billion in pilot projects that will create market opportunities for American commodities produced using climate-smart practices. 

These projects will expand markets for climate-smart commodities, leverage greenhouse gas benefits of climate-smart commodity production, and provide meaningful benefits to production agriculture. 

Applicants submitted more than 450 project proposals for the first round of funding. “There is strong and growing interest in the private sector and among consumers for food that’s grown in a climate-friendly way,” Vilsack says. 

The strength of the 70 projects led USDA to increase its investment from the $1 billion announced earlier this year. More information on Partnerships for Climate-Smart Commodities and program details are available at usda.gov.

Ag Secretary Tom Vilsack says the USDA is investing up to $2.8 billion in 70 selected projects under the first pool of the Partnerships for Climate-Smart Commodities funding opportunity. USDA’s initial investment of $1 billion is expected to triple to more than $3 billion in pilot projects that will create market opportunities for American commodities produced using climate-smart practices. These projects will expand markets for climate-smart commodities, leverage greenhouse gas benefits of climate-smart commodity production, and provide meaningful benefits to production agriculture. Applicants submitted more than 450 project proposals for the first round of funding. “There is strong and growing interest in the private sector and among consumers for food that’s grown in a climate-friendly way,” Vilsack says. The strength of the 70 projects led USDA to increase its investment from the $1 billion announced earlier this year. More information on Partnerships for Climate-Smart Commodities and program details are available at usda.gov.

USDA investing $2.8 billion in Climate-Smart Commodities partnerships and projects

The Consumer Price Index increased 0.1 percent in August on a seasonally adjusted basis after being unchanged in July. 

The Bureau of Labor Statistics reported Tuesday Increases in the shelter, food, and medical care indexes were the largest contributors to the broad-based monthly all items increase. 

The food index increased 0.8 percent in August, the smallest monthly increase in that index since December 2021. 

The food at home index rose 0.7 percent in August as all six major grocery store food group indexes increased. The index for other food at home rose 1.1 percent, while the index for cereals and bakery products rose 1.2 percent over the month. 

The meats, poultry, fish, and eggs index, the fruits and vegetables index, and the nonalcoholic beverages index all increased 0.5 percent in August. The index for dairy and related products increased 0.3 percent over the month, the smallest increase in that index since November 2021.

The Consumer Price Index increased 0.1 percent in August on a seasonally adjusted basis after being unchanged in July. The Bureau of Labor Statistics reported Tuesday Increases in the shelter, food, and medical care indexes were the largest contributors to the broad-based monthly all items increase. The food index increased 0.8 percent in August, the smallest monthly increase in that index since December 2021. The food at home index rose 0.7 percent in August as all six major grocery store food group indexes increased. The index for other food at home rose 1.1 percent, while the index for cereals and bakery products rose 1.2 percent over the month. The meats, poultry, fish, and eggs index, the fruits and vegetables index, and the nonalcoholic beverages index all increased 0.5 percent in August. The index for dairy and related products increased 0.3 percent over the month, the smallest increase in that index since November 2021.

August Consumer Price Index increases

An Executive Order by President Joe Biden announced this week focuses on advancing biotechnology and biomanufacturing innovation. 

Specifically, the order seeks innovative solutions in health, climate change, energy, food security, agriculture, supply chains, and national and economic security. 

The White House says, “For biotechnology and biomanufacturing to help us achieve our societal goals, the United States needs to invest in foundational scientific capabilities.” 

Of note, the order will bolster federal investment in key research and development areas, boost sustainable biomass production, create climate-smart incentives for American agriculture, and expand market opportunities for bioenergy and biobased products. 

Within 180 days, the order directs the Agriculture Secretary to issue a report assessing how to use biotechnology and biomanufacturing for food and agriculture innovation. 

This includes improving sustainability and land conservation, increasing food quality and nutrition, increasing and protecting crop yields, protecting against plant and animal pests and diseases, and cultivating alternative food sources.

An Executive Order by President Joe Biden announced this week focuses on advancing biotechnology and biomanufacturing innovation. Specifically, the order seeks innovative solutions in health, climate change, energy, food security, agriculture, supply chains, and national and economic security. The White House says, “For biotechnology and biomanufacturing to help us achieve our societal goals, the United States needs to invest in foundational scientific capabilities.” Of note, the order will bolster federal investment in key research and development areas, boost sustainable biomass production, create climate-smart incentives for American agriculture, and expand market opportunities for bioenergy and biobased products. Within 180 days, the order directs the Agriculture Secretary to issue a report assessing how to use biotechnology and biomanufacturing for food and agriculture innovation. This includes improving sustainability and land conservation, increasing food quality and nutrition, increasing and protecting crop yields, protecting against plant and animal pests and diseases, and cultivating alternative food sources.

Executive order seeks advancement of biotechnology

The Center for Food Safety this week filed a Freedom of Information Act lawsuit against the Environmental Protection Agency.&nbsp;&nbsp;

The lawsuit claims the EPA is unlawfully withholding records about the impacts of dicamba. 

The lawsuit, filed in the U.S. District Court of Northern California, alleges that EPA withheld public records from an agency report showing that control measures in its 2020 dicamba registration decision failed to reduce the number, severity, or geographic extent of dicamba-related incidents compared to prior seasons. 

Meredith Stevenson, staff attorney at the Center for Food Safety, says the action "reflects the agency's pattern of thwarting the public's access to information under FOIA." In June 2022, the center submitted a FOIA request to EPA, seeking documents referenced in the agency's December 2021 report on dicamba. 

The EPA has yet to produce any records, prompting CFS to now sue under FOIA law. The lawsuit comes amid an ongoing lawsuit challenging the legality of EPA's 2020 registration of over-the-top dicamba pesticide uses on dicamba-resistant cotton and soybeans.

The Center for Food Safety this week filed a Freedom of Information Act lawsuit against the Environmental Protection Agency.&nbsp;&nbsp;The lawsuit claims the EPA is unlawfully withholding records about the impacts of dicamba. The lawsuit, filed in the U.S. District Court of Northern California, alleges that EPA withheld public records from an agency report showing that control measures in its 2020 dicamba registration decision failed to reduce the number, severity, or geographic extent of dicamba-related incidents compared to prior seasons. Meredith Stevenson, staff attorney at the Center for Food Safety, says the action "reflects the agency's pattern of thwarting the public's access to information under FOIA." In June 2022, the center submitted a FOIA request to EPA, seeking documents referenced in the agency's December 2021 report on dicamba. The EPA has yet to produce any records, prompting CFS to now sue under FOIA law. The lawsuit comes amid an ongoing lawsuit challenging the legality of EPA's 2020 registration of over-the-top dicamba pesticide uses on dicamba-resistant cotton and soybeans.

Lawsuit seeks documents from EPA regarding Dicamba harms

Corn, soybean, and cotton production is down from 2021, according to Monday's Crop Production report issued by USDA's National Agricultural Statistics Service. 

Corn production is down eight percent from last year, forecast at 13.9 billion bushels, while soybean growers are expected to decrease their production one percent from 2021, forecast at 4.38 billion bushels. 

Meanwhile, cotton production is down 21 percent from 2021 at 13.8 million 480-pound bales. 

Planted corn area is estimated at 88.6 million acres, down one from the previous estimate. Area planted to soybeans is estimated at 87.5 million acres, down one percent from the previous estimate, but cotton planted area is estimated at 13.8 million acres, up 11 percent from the previous estimate. 

The U.S. season-average soybean price is forecast at $14.35 per bushel, unchanged from last month. Meanwhile, USDA's World Agricultural Supply and Demand report raised the season-average corn price ten cents to $6.75 per bushel. USDA also lowered the season-average farm price for wheat 25 cents to $9.00 per bushel.

Corn, soybean, and cotton production is down from 2021, according to Monday's Crop Production report issued by USDA's National Agricultural Statistics Service. Corn production is down eight percent from last year, forecast at 13.9 billion bushels, while soybean growers are expected to decrease their production one percent from 2021, forecast at 4.38 billion bushels. Meanwhile, cotton production is down 21 percent from 2021 at 13.8 million 480-pound bales. Planted corn area is estimated at 88.6 million acres, down one from the previous estimate. Area planted to soybeans is estimated at 87.5 million acres, down one percent from the previous estimate, but cotton planted area is estimated at 13.8 million acres, up 11 percent from the previous estimate. The U.S. season-average soybean price is forecast at $14.35 per bushel, unchanged from last month. Meanwhile, USDA's World Agricultural Supply and Demand report raised the season-average corn price ten cents to $6.75 per bushel. USDA also lowered the season-average farm price for wheat 25 cents to $9.00 per bushel.

USDA forecasts US corn, soybean, and cotton production down from 2021

The Fertilizer Institute over the weekend again urged Congress to take action to avoid a freight rail shutdown on September 16. 

TFI sent a letter to Congressional leaders pushing for intervention to prevent a stoppage from occurring. 

TFI President and CEO Corey Rosenbusch says, "A stoppage hasn't yet happened, but we are already feeling the negative effects of non-resolution." 

Rail carriers announced Friday evening that shipments of fertilizer products, such as ammonia – a key fertilizer and building block for approximately three-fourths of all fertilizer – will start coming off rail networks this week. 

Rosenbusch contends the situation will get exponentially worse every day there is no resolution, adding, "if they cannot reach an agreement, Congress must act to avoid an economic catastrophe that will only add to inflation and increase consumer pain." 

Congress can prevent rail workers from striking and has done so before, in 1986 when then-President Ronald Reagan intervened in the strike of workers for Maine Central railway.

The Fertilizer Institute over the weekend again urged Congress to take action to avoid a freight rail shutdown on September 16. TFI sent a letter to Congressional leaders pushing for intervention to prevent a stoppage from occurring. TFI President and CEO Corey Rosenbusch says, "A stoppage hasn't yet happened, but we are already feeling the negative effects of non-resolution." Rail carriers announced Friday evening that shipments of fertilizer products, such as ammonia – a key fertilizer and building block for approximately three-fourths of all fertilizer – will start coming off rail networks this week. Rosenbusch contends the situation will get exponentially worse every day there is no resolution, adding, "if they cannot reach an agreement, Congress must act to avoid an economic catastrophe that will only add to inflation and increase consumer pain." Congress can prevent rail workers from striking and has done so before, in 1986 when then-President Ronald Reagan intervened in the strike of workers for Maine Central railway.

The Fertilizer Institute urges Congress Act to avoid a freight rail shutdown

Lawmakers led by Florida Senator Marco Rubio recently asked U.S. Trade Representative Katherine Tai to investigate the flood of surplus agricultural products from Mexico. 

The request, filed as a petition under Section 301 of the Trade Act of 1974, says actions by Mexico over the last two decades have burdened and restricted U.S. commerce. 

The lawmakers say that for more than 20 years, Mexico has leveraged heavy subsidies and low wages in a scheme to conduct a “conquest of external markets” and displace Florida’s seasonal and perishable agricultural industry from the domestic U.S. market. 

Specifically, the petition names fruits and vegetables grown with subsidized horticultural infrastructure and other forms of Mexican government support as a marketplace burden for U.S. growers, and may allow Mexico the ability to set market prices that harm American consumers. 

Provisions of the amended Trade Act of 1974 gives USTR authority to investigate and redress unreasonable trade practices that burden and restrict U.S. commerce.

Lawmakers led by Florida Senator Marco Rubio recently asked U.S. Trade Representative Katherine Tai to investigate the flood of surplus agricultural products from Mexico. The request, filed as a petition under Section 301 of the Trade Act of 1974, says actions by Mexico over the last two decades have burdened and restricted U.S. commerce. The lawmakers say that for more than 20 years, Mexico has leveraged heavy subsidies and low wages in a scheme to conduct a “conquest of external markets” and displace Florida’s seasonal and perishable agricultural industry from the domestic U.S. market. Specifically, the petition names fruits and vegetables grown with subsidized horticultural infrastructure and other forms of Mexican government support as a marketplace burden for U.S. growers, and may allow Mexico the ability to set market prices that harm American consumers. Provisions of the amended Trade Act of 1974 gives USTR authority to investigate and redress unreasonable trade practices that burden and restrict U.S. commerce.

Lawmakers ask USTR to protect growers from unfair practices by Mexico

Ag Secretary Tom Vilsack announced that USDA is accepting applications for its ReConnect Program loans and grants to expand access to high-speed internet for millions of people in rural America. 

The agency is making over $1 billion available for the program, a critical piece of the effort to connect every American to affordable and reliable high-speed internet. 

“Ensuring that the people of rural America get connected with reliable high-speed internet brings new and innovative ideas to the rest of the country,” Vilsack says. 

“That’s why high-speed internet is an important part of USDA Rural Development’s work with rural communities.” USDA is accepting applications for loans with available funds of $150 million, grants with available funds of $700 million, and combination loan/grant awards using $300 million under the ReConnect Program. 

“Reliable high-speed internet opens the world’s marketplace to rural business owners,” Vilsack adds. The application deadline is November 2. Go to rd.usda.gov for information.

Ag Secretary Tom Vilsack announced that USDA is accepting applications for its ReConnect Program loans and grants to expand access to high-speed internet for millions of people in rural America. The agency is making over $1 billion available for the program, a critical piece of the effort to connect every American to affordable and reliable high-speed internet. “Ensuring that the people of rural America get connected with reliable high-speed internet brings new and innovative ideas to the rest of the country,” Vilsack says. “That’s why high-speed internet is an important part of USDA Rural Development’s work with rural communities.” USDA is accepting applications for loans with available funds of $150 million, grants with available funds of $700 million, and combination loan/grant awards using $300 million under the ReConnect Program. “Reliable high-speed internet opens the world’s marketplace to rural business owners,” Vilsack adds. The application deadline is November 2. Go to rd.usda.gov for information.

Applications open for the rural high-speed internet program

U.S. Trade Representative Katherine Tai and Commerce Secretary Gina Raimondo hosted counterparts from the 13 Indo-Pacific Economic Framework partner countries. 

Those partners represent over 40 percent of the world’s economy.&nbsp;&nbsp;At the first official in-person Ministerial meeting, the ministers had positive and constructive discussions and announced a substantial milestone in their pursuit of the framework. 

“This meeting was a chance to deepen our partnerships and fill in the details about how we will work collectively to address the challenges and opportunities that will define the 21st century,” says Tai. 

As the meeting concluded, the partners reached a consensus on ministerial statements for each of the four IPEF pillars, including trade, supply chains, clean economies, and fair economies. 

“After days of intensive discussions, we made real progress toward that goal, and I’m excited to continue developing this Framework, which will unlock enormous economic value for our region and be an example for the world.”

U.S. Trade Representative Katherine Tai and Commerce Secretary Gina Raimondo hosted counterparts from the 13 Indo-Pacific Economic Framework partner countries. Those partners represent over 40 percent of the world’s economy.&nbsp;&nbsp;At the first official in-person Ministerial meeting, the ministers had positive and constructive discussions and announced a substantial milestone in their pursuit of the framework. “This meeting was a chance to deepen our partnerships and fill in the details about how we will work collectively to address the challenges and opportunities that will define the 21st century,” says Tai. As the meeting concluded, the partners reached a consensus on ministerial statements for each of the four IPEF pillars, including trade, supply chains, clean economies, and fair economies. “After days of intensive discussions, we made real progress toward that goal, and I’m excited to continue developing this Framework, which will unlock enormous economic value for our region and be an example for the world.”

U.S. meets with Indo-Pacific framework partners

The National Grain and Feed Association asked Congress to intervene, if necessary, to prevent any interruptions of rail service that could occur if negotiations fail between carriers and labor groups. 

Last week, the association sent letters to the leaders of the Senate Committee on Commerce, Science, Transportation, and the House Transportation and Infrastructure Committee. 

Association members want Congress to prevent a rail stoppage “of any duration,” noting that uninterrupted rail service is vital to the American agricultural economy. 

“The U.S. rail network moves critical agricultural inputs and significant quantities of agricultural products,” the letter says. “These essential items are transported by rail to domestic facilities and ports for exports abroad. 

A complete stoppage of the rail system would lead to shutdowns or slowdowns of rail-dependent facilities resulting in devastating consequences to the country’s national and global security.” They also say most freight railroads lack the capacity to make up for any downtime. &nbsp;

The National Grain and Feed Association asked Congress to intervene, if necessary, to prevent any interruptions of rail service that could occur if negotiations fail between carriers and labor groups. Last week, the association sent letters to the leaders of the Senate Committee on Commerce, Science, Transportation, and the House Transportation and Infrastructure Committee. Association members want Congress to prevent a rail stoppage “of any duration,” noting that uninterrupted rail service is vital to the American agricultural economy. “The U.S. rail network moves critical agricultural inputs and significant quantities of agricultural products,” the letter says. “These essential items are transported by rail to domestic facilities and ports for exports abroad. A complete stoppage of the rail system would lead to shutdowns or slowdowns of rail-dependent facilities resulting in devastating consequences to the country’s national and global security.” They also say most freight railroads lack the capacity to make up for any downtime. &nbsp;

NGFA wants intervention in rail disputes

USDA’s National Agricultural Statistics Service announced Tuesday the agency will review all available acreage data for select crops. USDA NASS will review planted and harvested acreage for chickpeas, corn, cotton, dry edible peas, lentils, peanuts, rice, sorghum, soybeans, and sugarbeets, in preparation for the September Crop Production report. 

USDA’s National Agricultural Statistics Service announced Tuesday the agency will review all available acreage data for select crops. USDA NASS will review planted and harvested acreage for chickpeas, corn, cotton, dry edible peas, lentils, peanuts, rice, sorghum, soybeans, and sugarbeets, in preparation for the September Crop Production report. The reviewed information includes survey data, satellite-based data, and the latest information from USDA’s Farm Service Agency and Risk Management Agency. If the data review justifies any changes, NASS will publish updated planted and harvested acreage estimates in the September 12 Crop Production report. USDA says it is a normal practice for NASS to review data in September for many of these crops. The review typically takes place in October for corn, sorghum, soybeans, and sugarbeets. However, USDA says the datasets are sufficiently complete this year to consider adjustments in September. In October, NASS will review acreage for canola, dry edible beans, and sunflowers.