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Farmers who grow the crops being hammered the hardest by commodity market declines are hitting Capitol Hill this week, accompanied by ag bankers and Farm Credit lenders, to make a last-ditch push for a new farm bill.

The farm economy is in much better shape than feared at the beginning of the year, according to USDA’s revised farm income forecast. USDA now estimates that net farm income will decline by 7% and remain above the 20-year historical average. Back in February, USDA had projected net farm income would plummet by nearly 26%. 

USDA is due out today with its latest forecast for farm income, and the numbers are expected to be bad. Look for more new calls for Congress to pass a new farm bill to shore up incomes of row crop producers. 

Two House subcommittees will look into into the food shortages that have plagued tribal communities throughout the summer. The House Ag subcommittee that oversees nutrition programs and the House Ag Appropriations Subcommittee have scheduled a joint hearing for next Wednesday. 

The Iowa Utilities Commission has issued a permit for the main route of Summit Carbon Solutions’ liquid carbon dioxide pipeline through the state, which the company touted as another step toward building the 2,500-mile project next year.

Republicans are using the growing ag trade deficit to buttress their criticism of the Biden administration’s trade policy.

The National Council of Agricultural Employers is seeking information on $98 million provided to the UFW Foundation to distribute to farmworkers, alleging that some of the workers claimed they were told they had to sign union authorization cards in order to receive the money.