The Department of Agriculture is announcing an increase in benefits under the Food Assistance Program, which will increase the average grant by more than 25 percent.
The news – originally reported by The New York Times And confirmed by a USDA spokesman Agri-ul Liz – The cost basis for SNAP benefits is a cost savings plan review. Basis Times According to the report, the average weekly benefit for four families will increase from $ 36 to $ 193.
According to USDA, the change, which is scheduled to be announced today, is in line with a congressional request in 2018 to review the formula.
Reconciling farm accounts with ‘real deal’, says politician
According to a long-term agricultural policy veteran, growing money in the big spending package Congress will be crucial to expanding the next agricultural budget. The Democratic package is expected to include $ 89 billion in agricultural support.
“This is a real agreement, and I really want agriculture to be more integrated and driven,” said Fred Hoffner, a policy adviser and former policy director for the National Sustainable Agricultural Coalition.
The funding is focused on fighting climate change. But Hoffner said in an interview with Agri-ul-Lisse Washington last week that it was unclear how much of the $ 89 billion would go to conservation programs because some of the money would be given priority, including ag research and President Joe Biden’s civil climate. Hoffner also noted that Democratic leaders are under pressure from some members to reduce the cost of the current $ 3.5 trillion reconciliation package.
Note Nine members of the House of Representatives are waiting for the House to adopt the infrastructure law approved by the Senate without waiting for the House to take action on the grand package.
by the way: Hoffner has been working on agricultural accounts since 1977 – when he was Congressman.
USDA grants support health care, immunizations and nutrition
Secretary of Agriculture Tom Willsak announced that the United States will provide $ 500 million in assistance to expand access to COVID-19 vaccines, health care services and nutrition assistance to rural health care facilities, tribes and communities.
USDA administers the funds through the Rural Community Community Resource Program. The grants are distributed in two ways – rehabilitation assistance and impact assistance.
The money can be used to increase vaccination distribution, purchase medical supplies, replace lost income during the epidemic, increase tele health capacity, build and renovate temporary or permanent structures for health care services and food distribution facilities, and support vaccine management and testing manpower needs.
KC Fed – Farm income is stable
According to a report by the Federal Reserve of Kansas City, high agricultural prices and government payments will help stabilize farmers’ income in the central plains in the second quarter of 2021.
In a June survey, 80% of bankers reported that farm income was a year earlier. Loan rates also increased a year ago. And farm real estate values jumped 10% from last year, the biggest increase since 2013.
The KC Fed region includes Colorado, Kansas, Nebraska, Oklahoma, Wyoming, New Mexico North Midwest, and Missouri West Third.
Looking forward; USDA releases updated farm income forecast September 2.
EPA publishes models to develop numerical water quality standards
The Environmental Protection Agency has developed recommended models that can be used to develop numerical levels of elements such as nitrogen and phosphorus in lakes and reservoirs.
But states can choose whether they want to use the new models. Updated Nutrition Standards for Lakes “EP does not require a state to review current EPA-approved standards, total daily load-bearing nutrition targets, or N or P values established by other scientific defense mechanisms.” Document, released Friday.
However, if a state makes its own decision not to accept new or improved nutrition standards based on its models, why should it state the water quality standards required by the clean water law within a three-year review?
“Nutritional contamination can stimulate the proliferation of disturbing phytoplankton, such as cyanobacteria, which can produce cyanotoxins that are toxic to animals and humans,” he said. High concentrations of cyanotoxins can reduce the lake’s water supply for recreation and drinking.
The United States is struggling to gain a foothold in the Chinese market for specialty crops
According to a new trade agreement signed last year, China has opened its borders to the United States for a variety of new crops, but many problems have fallen short of expectations for avocados, blueberries and nectar, according to a new report. From USADA Foreign Agricultural Service.
High shipping costs, tariffs, China’s COVID-19 test and pest standards and competition weigh heavily on U.S. exports, Fas said. American fruit and vegetable products are generally respected by Chinese consumers, but importers are still cautious about trade between the United States and China.
“Changes are very sensitive to any changes that may include inspection of በላ perishable products when importers clean up customs,” FAS said in a statement from Beijing.
India could crack open borders on soybean imports
India prefers a steady supply of soybeans for poultry and pork production, but is expected to encourage the government to import 1.5 million metric tons of unusually high prices and tight markets, which could open the door to US exports, according to the USDA FAS office in New Delhi.
The FAS office has not yet officially confirmed that India, which appears to be unsuitable for GMO crops, has not banned food from biotech soybeans. India’s soybean crop will not be harvested until October and the country’s food industry has been urging the government to import GMO soybeans.
“Indigenous soybean prices in India began to fall without warning in January,” FAS said in a statement. Prices have risen to unprecedented heights in recent months.
He has been a cocaine importer in the Chilean pepper program for 13 years
The United States Attorney’s Office in Brooklyn has sentenced him to 13 years in prison for plotting to smuggle cocaine into Chile.
Two years ago, a judge convicted Humberto Bass of plotting to assassinate him.
A.D. In 2018, Bazz announced that he was cooperating with the Drug Enforcement Administration for anyone who did not know that a chili pepper shipment intended for Pennsylvania contained codecs for cocaine.
Law enforcement officers then searched the container and seized the drug.
Questions? Tips? Contact Bill Thompson bill@agri-pulse.com
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