Steve Davies

Daybreak March 10: Local voices key to rural vaccination rates?

03/10/21 6:00 AM By Philip Brasher, Steve Davies, Ben Nuelle, and Bill Tomson

President Joe Biden’s COVID-19 advisers tell Agri-Pulse they’re optimistic that rural residents will get vaccinated in sufficient numbers to stop the virus from circulating. But these advisers say they know people who may be hesitant about getting a shot have to hear from their doctors and other local people they trust.

Report: $11.5B in lagging facilities hampering US ag research

03/10/21 1:23 AM By Steve Davies

Land-grant universities continue to face a huge and costly backlog of deferred infrastructure needs that, left unaddressed, threaten U.S. agricultural competitiveness, according to a new report released by the Association of Public and Land-grant Universities (APLU).

Daybreak March 9: Blunt makes it five GOP retirements

03/09/21 6:00 AM By Steve Davies, Philip Brasher, Ben Nuelle, and Bill Tomson

Longtime Senate appropriator and GOP dealmaker Roy Blunt of Missouri is the fifth GOP senator to announce that he’s not seeking re-election. Blunt is a senior member of the Senate Appropriations Committee and former ranking Republican on the Agriculture Appropriations subcommittee that writes the annual budgets for USDA and FDA.

Daybreak March 8: Massive stimulus bill nears finish line

03/08/21 4:20 AM By Steve Davies, Philip Brasher, Bill Tomson, and Ben Nuelle

The House this week is expected to clear President Joe Biden’s $1.9 trillion American Rescue Plan after Senate Democrats fought off GOP attempts to gut the package in a marathon debate that went all night Friday to nearly noon on Saturday.

USDA reopens comment period on animal biotech regulatory overhaul

03/05/21 7:13 AM By Steve Davies

The Agriculture Department hasn’t made up its mind on whether to move forward with a proposal to take over regulation of biotech animal products, asking Friday for more comments on the subject.

Daybreak March 5: Stimulus aid could go to broadband

03/05/21 6:00 AM By Philip Brasher, Ben Nuelle, Bill Tomson, and Steve Davies

Democrats are pushing toward a final vote on President Biden’s $1.9 trillion economic stimulus package, although the legislation will have to go back to the House after Democratic leaders made a series of revisions to shore up support for the measure. Those changes include new language allowing state and local funding to be used for broadband improvements.

Daybreak March 4: Boozman warns of cuts as Dems try to pass stimulus

03/04/21 4:13 AM By Philip Brasher, Ben Nuelle, Steve Davies, and Bill Tomson

A key Republican says the $1.9 trillion stimulus bill Democrats are pushing through the Senate will lead to automatic cuts in farm programs and other forms of federal spending. Sen. John Boozman, the top Republican on the Senate Ag Committee, is referring to the Congressional Budget Office’s determination that the legislation would trigger the budget sequestration process under the 2011 budget law.

GOP senators grill nominees for key environmental posts

03/03/21 9:59 AM By Steve Davies

Senate Republicans used a confirmation hearing for two high-level nominees to express strong concerns about the Biden administration’s environmental agenda, which prioritizes climate change and environmental justice.

Daybreak March 3: Vilsack’s goal: Address impact of racism

03/03/21 5:00 AM By Philip Brasher, Ben Nuelle, Steve Davies, and Bill Tomson

In an interview with Agri-Pulse, Ag Secretary Tom Vilsack said he’s open to helping aspiring Black farmers acquire the acreage they need by tapping federal land holdings. Vilsack made clear that his goal as secretary is to address the impact of a legacy of discrimination against minority farmers. It’s no longer an issue of just compensating producers who were the victims of discrimination themselves.

USDA examining future of food boxes

03/03/21 1:33 AM By Steve Davies

The Department of Agriculture is reviewing whether and how to continue the Farmers to Families Food Box program, as the effort begins to wind down after serving a critical — but often criticized — role during the still continuing food crisis caused by the COVID-19 pandemic.

Newsmakers

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Agri-Pulse Newsmakers

01.03.2025

Agri-Pulse Newsmakers: Jan. 3, 2025: Michael Dykes on bird flu in dairy; dietary guidelines

Avian flu was first identified in dairy cattle in March. We asked Michael Dykes, president and CEO of the International Dairy Foods Association, how USDA’s nationwide milk testing strategy is being implemented to safeguard the food supply and what additional measures may be needed.

Then, Invariant’s Anne MacMillan and Tom Sell with Combest, Sell & Associates discuss the $10B market relief package and what issues they’re watching as the 119th Congress begins.

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