Indoor Farming & COVID Spread Test

SARS-CoV-2, the virus that causes COVID-19, is spread by a wide range of wildlife and farm animals. A new field test could help monitor this spread. In other news, the indoor farming industry has been struggling, so why are more indoor farms being built?

Throughout this week, we saw articles about how biodiversity affects the spread of pathogens, the growing popularity of millet, and how the Russian invasion of Ukraine is affecting the U.S. Read on to learn more about what the week had to offer.?

Detecting Covid Causing Virus In Animals

Purdue University has received $2.7 million in federal funding from the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service (APHIS) to develop a field test that can measure and predict the spread of SARS-CoV-2, the virus that causes COVID-19, in a wide range of wildlife and farm animals. Read more about it in our?Purdue Developing Field Test to Detect SARS-CoV-2 Virus in Dozens of Host Species?article.?

Why Ag Lawyers Are Important

When we think about farming, we do not always think about the legal aspects associated with it. We tend to think more about the day-to-day work of caring for animals, tending fields, and keeping a close eye on the weather. However, there are a lot of legal aspects that go into running a farm, which is why farmers need good agricultural lawyers. Read more about it in our?Why Do Farmers Need Good Agriculture Lawyers??article.?

Should You Be Eating Out Often?

According to the United States Department of Agriculture, U.S. consumers spent about 11.3% of their disposable income on food in 2022. That’s an increase of 12.7%, primarily driven by more people eating out as the pandemic eases. Although the USDA reports more people are eating in restaurants, is that cost-effective for families on a budget? Read more about it in our?Seasonal Eating and Comfort Food Within Your Budget?article.?

Alpaca Farm Days

September 23 and 24, alpaca business owners throughout North America will celebrate the 17th annual?National Alpaca Farm Days. Alpaca Owners Association, Inc. (AOA) invites you to visit participating member farms and ranches during this safe, fun-filled family event. Read more about it in our?Alpaca Farms Nationwide Celebrate National Alpaca Farm Days?article.

Agriculture Sustainability

The?Soil Health Institute (SHI) and Cargill are coming together?to advance the implementation of regenerative agriculture practices through the promotion of water stewardship within agricultural supply chains. This 3-year, $3 million partnership will equip farmers, conservation planners, and sustainability experts across North America with innovative tools to enhance drought resilience, improve soil health, and encourage sustainable water use.

Also, ahead of the 2023 SDG Summit, the FAO and its partners presented on Sunday the High Impact Initiative on Food Systems Transformation aimed at mobilizing commitments to ensure food security and healthy diets for all. Read more about it in our?FAO Touts High-Impact Initiatives to Transform Agrifood Systems?article.?

In other news, many pathogens, including the virus that causes COVID-19, are thought to have originated in wild animals before spilling into human populations. To prevent the zoonotic spread and spillover in the future, it’s important to promote agricultural practices that boost biodiversity and create pathogen barriers while minimizing conditions that form incubators. Read more about it in our?Exploring the Links Between Agriculture, Biodiversity, and the Spread of Pathogens?article.?

Finally,?Lots of Indoor Farms Are Shutting Down as Their Businesses Struggle. So Why Are More Being Built??Skeptics question the sustainability of operations that can require energy-intensive artificial light. And they say paying for that light can make profitability impossible.

Crop World

Plant-breeding father and son team Patrick and James Schnable, co-founders of the Ames-based company Dryland Genetics,?think proso millet (Panicum milaceum) can make midwestern agriculture more resilient and more profitable. Read more about it in our?Father and Son Duo Develop Proso Millet as Crop for the Future?article.?

In other news, the National Alfalfa & Forage Alliance established the?Alfalfa Checkoff, also known as the U.S. Alfalfa Farmer Research Initiative?(USAFRI), to facilitate a farmer-funded program to advance industry research. NAFA’s Alfalfa Checkoff funds alfalfa-related research to help drive innovation and profitability in the alfalfa industry and to support public research into alfalfa and alfalfa forage systems.

Also,?hundreds of weeds have been found illegally advertised?on a public online marketplace in Australia. Cacti and pond plants were among the most frequently advertised illegal weed species. These weeds are prohibited in Australia due to their harmful impact on the country’s environment and agriculture.

Finally,?Russian Wheat Exports Remain the Biggest Risk to U.S. Wheat Elevators. Wheat stocks among major exporters are historically tight, and any disruption to the flow of Russian exports through the Black Sea could trigger a sharp price run-up.?

Farming Economy/Policy

This week, the U.S. Department of Justice, on behalf of the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) resolved longstanding litigation covering over 1,000 pesticide products, allowing EPA to fulfill its obligations to protect endangered species while conducting reviews and approvals of pesticides in a safe and protective manner. Read more about it in our?EPA Resolves Longstanding Litigation, Ensures Pesticides Remain Available?article.?

Also, Farm Action submitted a public comment to the Department of Justice (DOJ) and the Federal Trade Commission (FTC) in strong support of the agencies’ updated merger guidelines, proposed in July of 2023. Read more about it in our?Farm Action Applauds New FTC-DOJ Merger Guidelines?article.?

New With USDA?

The USDA?Spread $1 Billion for Tree Plantings to Reduce Extreme Heat and Benefit Health?and invested?$70M to Expand Conservation Assistance to Underserved Producers.?

They have seen a?Record of Interest in Conservation and Clean Energy Programs, renewed their?Partnership with The Coca-Cola Company, and extended the?Deadline to Oct. 12 for Input on Crop Insurance Coverage for Prevented Planting.?

Finally,?USDA Trade Mission Builds New Opportunities for U.S. Agribusinesses in Chile. Fourteen U.S. companies will join the U.S. Department of Agriculture agribusiness trade mission to Santiago, Chile, led by the Under Secretary for Trade and Foreign Agricultural Affairs Alexis M. Taylor, Sept. 25-29.

Other Top Stories

The Russian invasion of Ukraine in early 2022 caused wheat and corn prices to spike 30% and 13%, respectively, and threatened a worldwide food crisis. Read more about it in our article:?Russia’s Actions Threaten Global Food Security.?

The Land Investment Expo (Expo), one of the premier agricultural forums in the nation, announced its first set of keynote speakers for the 2024 Expo, which will take place at Hy-Vee Hall in downtown Des Moines, Iowa, on Tuesday, January 9, 2024. Former NFL Quarterback Drew Bledsoe, Willis Sparks of Eurasia Group, and California Assemblyman?James Gallagher?are on the list. Learn more about who will be speaking in our?Land Investment Expo 2024 Keynote Speakers Announced?article.?

Also, the Rural & Agriculture Council of America (RACA) and three other organizations sent a letter to Congressional leadership urging the?Renewal of Broadband Investment?and?Ag Law Center to Host a Free Pesticides Webinar.?

Other Top Stories Continued

Could Yogurt Be the Next Go-to Garlic Breath Remedy??A new study conducted in a lab – with follow-up human breath tests being planned – showed that whole milk plain yogurt prevented almost all of the volatile compounds responsible for garlic’s pungent scent from escaping into the air.

In other news, Maureen Ballatori is breaking through the imposed isolation with frank conversations around the highs and lows of business in season two of?Spilled Salt: Conversations With Food, Beverage, and Ag Leaders.?

Also,?Lattini Sunflower Milk Launches Nationwide?and?American Farmland Trust Announces Winners of the 15th Annual America’s Farmers Market Celebration.?

Come Back Next Week!

Be sure to check in next week for our weekly national news roundup, and don't forget to follow us on all our socials! We can't wait to see what next week holds for agricultural news.