Climate-Smart Farming Cuts and USDA Beef Export Data Errors
From the Ag Information Network, I’m Bob Larson with your Agribusiness Update.
**Lynda Hopkins, Sonoma County supervisor of the California
Air Resources Board, criticized anticipated cuts to state-funded programs that incentivize farmers to implement climate-smart farming practices.
A farmer herself, Hopkins told Ag Alert, it’s a huge missed opportunity to partner with farmers on things that make financial sense, make environmental sense and benefit local economies.
Hopkins says with the loss of funding, it’s really going to hit farmers.
**Six Democratic senators are seeking answers from the USDA after a major error in U.S. beef export sales data raised concerns about the reliability of federal ag statistics.
USDA previously reported beef export sales that appeared to surge nearly 500%, then revised the figure downward by about 90%.
Reuters reported in July that incorrect sales to Italy and
Chile were among the data problems.
USDA described the incident as an isolated issue.
**A confirmed New World screwworm case in the Mexican state of Sonora is raising questions just days before the U.S. is scheduled to begin reopening a border crossing to Mexican cattle.
Reuters reported Sonora confirmed its first case and
activated emergency surveillance and containment measures.
Drovers reports the Sonora discovery could complicate the reopening timeline.
U.S. cattle producers are watching closely because imported feeder cattle affect supplies.
