In today’s roundup, catch up on the latest news about renewable biofuels, crops and markets around the world, and avian influenza cases on turkey farms.
Agriculture news around the world
Planting of corn in one of China’s major producing areas could be delayed as many of the region’s millions of farmers struggle to return home from temporary city jobs because of strict coronavirus lockdowns.
Any delay to planting could hit output in the world’s No. 2 corn producer, where corn prices are already hovering at record levels, and government support for soybeans also threatens to reduce growing of the grain.
Terry Roggensack writes his analysis of the markets.
Corn production losses in Ukraine could be significant, and traders remain a bit nervous about dry conditions in Brazil for the second-corn crop. Declining soil moisture during the last few weeks is a concern for much of central Brazil, as the dry season should begin soon.
The smaller-than-expected planted area for the U.S. opens the door for tightening supply and the need for a very high yield.
Argentine grain-truck drivers, industry groups, and government officials failed to make a breakthrough in talks on Wednesday to end a strike, raising a threat to corn and soy exports during the key harvest season.
Trucks provide the transportation for some 85% of Argentina’s grains shipments to ports, which typically leads to busy roads in farming regions from April onward. That traffic has dwindled to almost nothing.
Renewable fuels
On Tuesday, April 12, Agriculture Secretary Tom Vilsack announced steps the U.S. Department of Agriculture is taking to implement President Biden’s plan to enable energy independence by boosting homegrown biofuels.
The USDA announced funding in 7 states to build infrastructure to expand the availability of higher-blend renewable fuels by approximately 59.5 million gallons per year.
Additional plans are outlined in the article linked below.
Avian influenza on turkey farms
Four of every 10 outbreaks of highly pathogenic avian influenza this year have been on a turkey farm, with Minnesota and South Dakota hit the most frequently, USDA data showed on Tuesday.
The Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service listed outbreaks on 74 turkey farms, with losses of 3.6 million turkeys.
The United States produced 214 million turkeys last year.
