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Drought Hits the Midwest, Threatening Crops and the World's Food Supply

As California and much of the Western United States ease out of drought conditions after a spectacularly wet winter, the Midwest has fallen victim to a dry, hot spell that could have devastating consequences for the world's food supply. ... Nearly 60% of the Midwest, which includes Illinois, Indiana, Iowa, Kentucky, Michigan, Minnesota, Missouri, Ohio, and Wisconsin, is under moderate drought, according to the U.S. Drought Monitor, which is run jointly by the federal government and the National Drought Mitigation Center at the University of Nebraska-Lincoln. Nearly 93% of the region is abnormally dry, with around 16% of it suffering severe drought. MORE

Source: WisPolitics

EPA To Rewrite WOTUS Rule By Sept. 1

After losing the landmark case of Sackett vs EPA in the U.S. Supreme Court, the Environmental Protection Agency is going back to the drawing board on its massive Waters of the United States (WOTUS) rule. The agency said it will rewrite the 435-page rule by Sept. 1, 2023 — giving them just 66 days to get it done. PA Agricultural Advisor Rod Snyder told members of the National Council of Farmers Cooperatives that the agency plans to “surgically update key aspects of the regulatory text to conform to the court's ruling,” according to a report from AgriPulse. The report also states that Snyder said the EPA plans to tweak the rule’s language that is in effect in states where it has not blocked it from being implemented. “EPA has set a very ambitious schedule to get this new rule out,” said Laura Campbell, MFB senior conservation and regulatory relations specialist. MORE

Source: MBS

US Job Growth Unexpectedly Jumps in May as Economy Adds 339,000 New Positions

U.S. job growth unexpectedly surged in May, as the labor market remained surprisingly resilient even in the face of rising interest rates, declining economic growth and chronic inflation. Employers added 339,000 jobs in May, the Labor Department said in its monthly payroll report released Friday, easily beating the 190,000 jobs forecast by Refinitiv economists. That also marks an increase from April, when payrolls increased by an upwardly revised 294,000. MORE

Source: IMA

US Lawmakers Float Possible Farm Bill Extension Amid Delays

The U.S. Congress may need to pass a short-term extension of the country's current farm bill, the largest food and nutrition spending package, amid delays drafting the next one, the top lawmakers on the Senate and House farm committees said on Thursday. The farm bill funds U.S. nutrition, conservation and commodity programs and is passed every five years. The current bill expires on Sept. 30. MORE

Source: MBS



US Chamber Backs Opposition to Steel Tinplate Tariffs

Congress needs to heed a Consumer Brands Association warning about proposed tinplate steel tariffs, writes John Murphy, senior vice president for international policy for the US Chamber of Commerce. The association has found the tariff endangers roughly 40,000 manufacturing jobs and would drive up canned food prices up to 30%, Murphy writes. MORE

Source: CBA

Biden’s ‘Radical’ New Trade Agenda

When Joe Biden faced opponents on the campaign trail who wanted deep changes to the global economy, he comforted wealthy donors with a now infamous line: “nothing would fundamentally change.” Four years on, his team is singing a different tune. While it lacks the bluster of Trump’s trade wars, Biden’s economic team is quietly pursuing a revolution in global economics — throwing out the conventional free trade wisdom of the last half century that leaders of both parties now blame for hollowing out the middle class, fueling populist backlash, and making the U.S. economy dangerously reliant on China. MORE

Source: MBS

US Farm Agency to Spend $2.3 Billion On Food Programs as Pandemic Aid Ends

The Biden administration will spend $2.3 billion on food purchases for schools and food banks as the end of pandemic-era aid leads to rising food insecurity, the Department of Agriculture said on Friday. Supplemental food aid for low-income families and schools tied to the COVID-19 pandemic has mostly expired. Food banks and other emergency food providers have reported near-record demand as food price inflation continues to strain household budgets. MORE

Source: MBS

Salt-Shaking it up: FDA Issues Proposed Rule to Allow Salt Substitutes in Standardized Foods

The FDA has been working to encourage U.S. consumers to consume less salt. In October 2021, they issued Voluntary Sodium Reduction guidance, and a proposed rule would allow salt substitutes in foods with salt as a required or optional ingredient. MORE

Source: CLFP

The FDA Is Going to Put Nutrition Information on The Front of Food Packages—Here's Why

Nutrition labels are coming to the front of food packages, per a new testing initiative from the Food and Drug Administration (FDA). By moving nutrition labels from the back of food packaging to the front, the FDA aims to give consumers better access to information about the food they’re consuming. Ideally, putting nutrition data right in front of shoppers will help them make more informed decisions about their nutrition and food choices. MORE

Source: MBS

Can Employers Test Employees for THC?

Employment lawyers say they're busy answering questions from employers on updating marijuana testing policies for workers. MORE

Source: MN Chamber 

Minnesota Set for $652 Million Broadband Windfall from Federal Infrastructure Bill 

Ever since Congress passed a $1.2 trillion infrastructure package in 2021, Minnesota officials have expected a windfall of cash to help subsidize the construction of high-speed internet infrastructure in rural areas. MORE

Source: MN Chamber

Legislative Republicans Approve $3.5 Billion Income Tax Cut in Wisconsin

Seeking to gradually flatten Wisconsin’s income tax, the Legislature’s GOP-controlled budget committee on Thursday approved a $3.5 billion income tax cut, with the biggest reductions going toward those in the highest income brackets. The income tax cut along with reducing property taxes would constitute the largest tax cut in state history, said Sen. Howard Marklein, R-Spring Green, co-chair of the Joint Finance Committee. “This plan would help move Wisconsin outside the top 10 highest income tax states – making Wisconsin a more attractive place for employers and workers alike,” said Evan Umpir, WMC Director of Tax, Transportation and Legal Affairs. MORE

Note: This morning Governor Evers signed the state budget and removed much of the income tax relief by partial veto.

Source: WMC

WI to Receive $1.1B in Federal Broadband Funds

Wisconsin will receive $1.1 billion to spend on broadband expansion as part of the federal Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act signed by President Joe Biden. The state-by-state breakdown of the funding was announced Monday by the Biden administration. Nationwide, the infrastructure law signed by Biden in 2021 will spend a total of $42.5 billion on high-speed internet grants. MORE

Source: WisPolitics



Life in Illinois Gets More Expensive on July 1 with Multiple Tax Increases, New Laws

The end of a grocery tax suspension, the increase of the state’s tax on gas, the doubling of certain fees; there are multiple aspects of life in Illinois set to become more expensive on July 1. Perhaps the most far-reaching impending change is the return of the state’s 1% tax on sales of groceries. Though one penny for every dollar spent is arguably a low amount, it is a tax which impacts nearly every resident of Illinois. Read the Illinois Department of Revenue’s informational bulletin for retailers on the return of this tax. MORE

Source: IMA

Illinois Faces Worst Drought Conditions in a Decade

From WCIA: The latest Drought Monitor update came out Thursday Morning and it has Illinois seeing the worst drought conditions in a decade. Severe drought has been introduced to areas north of I-74 in Central Illinois, with other areas into Northwest Illinois and into Western Illinois also now seeing severe drought conditions in place. But the amount of the State of Illinois under severe drought is something that’s not been seen in a decade. MORE

Source: IMA



Fossil Fuel Generation Retiring Faster than Renewables are Added, Causing ‘Declining Reliability,’ NYISO Says

The CLCPA’s final scoping plan anticipates that annual electricity demand will more than double by 2050 and calls for enhancements to the electric grid to improve the efficiency, delivery and reliability of electricity and integrate renewable energy, NYISO said. “This combination of mandates for clean energy production and significant added demand on the grid is creating challenges and complications for balancing load with supply,” the report said. By 2040 New York’s grid would need 111 GW to 124 GW of generating capacity to reliably meet the goals of the CLCPA and expected peak demand. MORE

Source: IMA



Convenience, Affordability Fueling Frozen Food Popularity

A recent survey from the American Frozen Food Institute (AFFI) reveals that 68% of Americans purchase frozen food products at least weekly, if not more frequently. Growth within the sector has been pushed by market disruptions such as the COVID-19 pandemic, inflation and the war in Ukraine. The sector continues to grow as consumers seek out convenient and affordable frozen products with elevated shelf life. While performance is strong, there’s still room for growth. MORE

Source: ProduceProcessing.net

How Grocery Shoppers are Navigating Good Price Inflation

Food prices rose more than 10% over the past year and groceries are the top category for concern among inflation-strapped consumers, writes Laurie Demeritt, CEO of The Hartman Group. Consumers remain committed to their preferred diets and are opting to seek out deals and store brands to save money. MORE

Source: CBA

View 2023 MWFPA Sponsorship Opportunities - HERE!

2023 Raw Products Committee Haltvick Meetings

• Waseca Pea Trial - July 12
• Hancock Snap Bean and Sweet Corn Trial - August 10
• West Madison ARS - September 7

Joint Environment Field Day with Wisconsin Cheesemakers Association

July 26th at Meister's Cheese in Muscoda, WI

Register HERE

SAVE THE DATE! October 10 - Sporting Clays Classic

Registration available July 10th!

Woods & Meadow Hunting Preserve

Warrens, Wisconsin

https://www.woodsandmeadow.com

November 28 - 30 - 2023 Convention & Processing Crops Conference

Kalahari Resort & Convention Center, Wisconsin Dells

Booth/Exhibitor Registration is Live! Visit the MWFPA Convention Website

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