The United States experienced its worst spring drought on record last month, with more than 60% of land in the lower 48 states experiencing moderate drought or worse. The drought has sparked alarm among farmers and environmentalists across the country, who warn that food supplies may be impacted and wildfires may blight areas where they are not usually seen.
Climate Change
USDA Overhauling Partnerships for Climate-Smart Commodities
Agri-Pulse’s Steve Davies and Rebekah Alvey reported Monday that “Agriculture Secretary Brooke Rollins is renaming and changing the rules of a $3.1 billion program testing the ability of a variety of conservation practices to produce climate-smart commodities.” “A USDA release said the Trump administration was canceling the Partnerships for Climate Smart Commodities program, which it […]
Mississippi River Falls During Record Harvest Season
Progressive Farmer’s Mary Kennedy reported Monday that “as fall harvest of record corn and soybean crops is in full swing, river conditions continue to worsen, stalling barges trying to move up and down the Lower Mississippi River (LMR). In addition, barge drafts and tow sizes have been cut.” “Ceres Consulting said in their daily barge […]
Democratic Platform Calls for Net-Zero Ag Emissions by 2050
Farm Progress’s Joshua Baethge reported Tuesday that “Democrats are vowing to reduce agriculture emissions to net-zero by 2050. The declaration is part of the party’s 2024 platform released Monday to coincide with its national convention. It calls for expanded federal programs to help farmers, ranchers and forest landowners pursue ‘high-productivity, lower-emission, and generative agricultural practices,’ […]
Western Wildfires Threatening Farmers and Ranchers
CBS News’ Richard Ramos, Brandon Downs and Cecilio Padilla reported Sunday that “Northern California’s Park Fire has surpassed 360,000 acres burned as evacuation orders affect four counties—Butte, Tehama, Shasta and Plumas.” “Cal Fire reported that containment increased to 12% on Sunday morning. The Park Fire is the largest wildfire in the state so far this […]
Denmark Implementing Novel Tax on Farm Emissions
Bloomberg’s Sanne Wass reported Monday that “Denmark will introduce a levy on farm emissions in what is set to be one of the world’s first carbon taxes on agriculture, helping the Nordic nation reach its 2030 climate target with backing from key industry and environmental groups.” “Farmers will be taxed 300 kroner ($43) per ton […]
Ag Groups Suing Over Biden Emissions Rules
Reuters reported Tuesday that “the top U.S. oil and corn industry lobby groups said on Tuesday they were suing the administration of President Joe Biden over its plans to slash planet-warming tailpipe emissions from cars and trucks, arguing the regulations will cause economic harm.” “The American Petroleum Institute (API), which is the top U.S. oil […]
Flood Related Soybean Losses Estimated at 2.71 MMT in Brazil
Reuters’ Andre Romani and Leticia Fucuchima reported Tuesday that “soybean losses related to recent floods in Brazil’s southernmost state of Rio Grande do Sul were estimated at 2.71 million metric tons, crop agency Emater said on Tuesday, in line with private forecasts ranging from 2.8 million to 3 million tons.” “Emater said in a statement […]
Biden Admin Unveils Carbon Offset Guidelines
Bloomberg’s Jennifer A. Dlouhy and Natasha White reported Tuesday that “the Biden administration unveiled a framework for using carbon offsets to drive climate progress, with principles it says are meant to help ensure the trading regimes deliver real emissions reductions — not a green mirage.” “The documents released Tuesday by top cabinet officials, including Treasury […]
Brazil Floods Likely to Affect Future Crop Seasons
Bloomberg’s Clarice Couto reported Wednesday that “catastrophic floods in Brazil will have long-lasting impacts for agriculture, with soaked soils making it harder for farmers to plant crops including rice and wheat for next season.” “Growers in Rio Grande do Sul will likely be forced to shift away from their traditional crops and into new cultures, […]
Floods Disrupt Access to Brazil’s 4th Biggest Soy Port
Reuters Roberto Samora and Ana Mano reported Tuesday that “road and rail links to a major grains port in southern Brazil have been disrupted by the impact of heavy floods, Anec, an association representing global grain exporters including Cargill and Bunge said on Tuesday.” “Rail service to the port has been interrupted while road blockades were […]
US Ag Emissions Lowest Since 2012
The American Farm Bureau Federation’s Daniel Munch reported Tuesday that a new study from the US Environmental Protection Agency showed that “U.S. agriculture represents just under 10% of total U.S. emissions when compared to other economic sectors. Overall U.S. greenhouse gas emissions increased from 2021 to 2022 by 1.3%, though agricultural emissions dropped 1.8% – […]
Ag Disappointed in Tailpipe Emissions Rule
Progressive Farmer’s Todd Neeley reported Wednesday that “the Biden administration finalized national pollution standards for vehicles through 2032, leaving next to no room for ethanol and other biofuels as a tool to cut emissions.” “While the new standards give automakers some flexibility in how they reduce emissions, the standards do little to use ethanol and other […]
Farmers Continue Embracing Solar Panels
Bloomberg’s Ilena Peng, Michael Hirtzer, and Will Wade reported Thursday that “farmers are increasingly embracing solar as a buffer against volatile crop prices and rising expenses. Their incomes are heading for a 26% slide this year, the biggest drop since 2006, as cash receipts for corn, soy and sugar cane are expected to drop by […]
Ag Avoids SEC Emissions Reporting Rule
Progressive Farmer’s Todd Neeley reported Wednesday that “the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission on Wednesday voted to finalize a climate-disclosure rule that dropped a requirement for U.S.-listed companies to disclose Scope 3 greenhouse gas emissions, including farms and ranches.” “The final rule is considered a victory for farmers and ranchers who spoke out against the […]
Drought Ends Along Mississippi River, For Now
WorkBoat’s Pamela Glass reported last week that “the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers has officially declared an end to the severe drought that disrupted barge transportation along the Mississippi River system for more than a year.” “Draft restrictions on vessels have been lifted, and dredges no longer operate to maintain nine-foot navigation throughout the Mississippi […]
Temperatures Records Likely to be Broken
Fox Weather’s Emilee Speck reported Monday that “hundreds of temperature records – record highs and record-warm lows – are expected to fall through midweek, with Monday and Tuesday forecast to be the warmest days across the Plains and Midwest. On Monday, more than 250 million Americans will experience above-average temperatures.” “According to the FOX Forecast […]
Biden Admin to Back Tougher Ethanol Climate Model
Reuters reported Friday that “President Joe Biden’s administration is poised to announce an adjustment to its scientific modeling for ethanol that will show the corn-based fuel to be less effective at reducing greenhouse gas emissions than previously estimated, three sources briefed on the plans told Reuters.” “The adjustment, previously unreported, will make it more difficult […]
Ethanol-to-Jet Fuel Plant Opens in US
Bloomberg’s Kim Chipman reported Thursday that “the world’s first plant using ethanol to make lower-polluting jet fuel opened in the US, a development that Iowa corn growers and biofuel producers say is a wake-up call to move faster to decarbonize.” The $200 million facility opened by LanzaJet Inc. is located in central, rural Georgia, according […]
El Niño could bring record heat in 2024
Despite a crushing winter storm currently working its way across the United States, some scientists are predicting that 2024 “may beat 2023 as the hottest year in recorded history,” according to Bloomberg reporting from Zahra Hirji, Olivia Rudgard, and Brian Kahn. “In 2023, the average was about 1.4C higher than the pre-industrial era; early estimates suggest […]