Watching for Signs of Recovery

President Joe Biden is expected to describe the “scope and ambition of his plans to expand and reorient the U.S. government, setting the stage for a bitter fight on Capitol Hill that could define his presidency.”

Pandemic Aid, Relief and Health in Rural America Remain Top Priorities

USDA will extend enrollment for the latest round of the Coronavirus Food Assistance Program for Additional Assistance, dubbed CFAP-AA. Signup will continue, though payments under the program remain frozen. Trade and filling vacancies at USDA agencies are also areas that will draw attention, newly sworn-in Agriculture Secretary Tom Vilsack said.

More Ag Lobby Groups Join Food and Ag Climate Alliance

Monday began with the Food and Agriculture Climate Alliance (FACA) announcing the group had expanded its tent of membership to more than 40 organizations. FACA also expanded its original eight-member organizations have added 14 more new groups to the steering committee. On Thursday, the House Agriculture Committee will hold a hearing on climate issues in agriculture.

Valero Sues Texas-Based Commodity Group for Failure to Deliver 106 Million RINs

Valero alleges in lawsuit Cypress, Texas,-based Sundive Commodity Group, LLC hasn't delivered on millions of renewable identification numbers, or RINs.

Enviro Groups Sue EPA Over New Dicamba Registrations

The EPA is facing a new lawsuit against its 2020 dicamba registrations, by the same groups who successfully sued the agency over its 2018 dicamba labels.

Report Spotlights Ohio Farms Created on Paper Garnered Millions in SBA Aid

The loans and grants to paper businesses that did not exist a year ago reflect some of the fraud that occurred as the Small Business Administration sought to provide immediate emergency relief to businesses affected by the COVID-19 pandemic.

Drought Concern Grows in North-Central US

Comments on the monthly climate report show doubts about crop moisture recharge before spring 2021.

USDA Wildfire Disaster Aid Available; More Mitigation Tools Needed, AFBF States

Addressing the issues with wildfire mitigation, the American Farm Bureau Federation and 13 state affiliates also are asking Congress to provide additional funds and programs to help prevent and recover from catastrophic wildfires. USDA also detailed some of the disaster aid available for farmers and livestock producers hit by the wildfires.

More Dicamba Developments

Will farmers be allowed to spray dicamba postemergence in soybeans and cotton next season? Many questions remain.

USDA Pegs U.S. Soybean Yield Record High in August Report

USDA August soybean yield projection vs. the change from August to September and August to the final report