Beef-Pork Exports Down and 4-H Applauds Broadband Infrastructure
From the Ag Information Network, I’m Bob Larson with your Agribusiness Update.
**Farmers in water-short parts of California’s Central Valley say they’ll leave land idle and take other steps to try to keep their operations going this year.
With federal and state water projects expected to deliver little or no water, farmers are finalizing decisions on what crops to plant, and how much.
The lack of water from surface reservoirs means farmers may depend more on groundwater, while recognizing the limits on that resource.
**February exports of U.S. beef and pork remained below the rapid pace established in early 2020, according to USDA data compiled by the U.S. Meat Export Federation.
But exports were consistent with USMEF's February projections.
Beef exports totaled over 103,000 metric tons, down 8% from a year ago, with value down 2%.
Pork exports were down 12% from a year ago at over 239,000 metric tons, with value down 13%.
**Critics say President Biden’s “Build Back Better” plan is too costly and includes more than infrastructure, while proponents say it could help bridge the rural urban digital divide.
The National 4-H Council tells www.agweb.com after the pandemic shut down schools and moved learning online, rural broadband struggles became especially apparent and a renewed push to get better internet access to rural America is necessary.
The President’s $2 trillion infrastructure proposal includes $100 billion for digital infrastructure.
www.agweb.com/news/policy/politics/national-4-h-thinks-bidens-infrastructure-plan-could-bridge-rural-urban?mkt
