- The American Farm Bureau, National Cattlemen’s Beef Association, National Corn Growers Association, National Pork Producers Council, Texas Farm Bureau, and the US Poultry and Egg Association joined with other interests in filing a lawsuit in the Southern District of Texas challenging the Biden administration’s recently announced Waters of the United States (WOTUS) rule. Other organizations in the lawsuit represent interests such as transportation, construction, petroleum, real estate and mining.
- Iowa State student Lydia Johnson will be a member of the Agri-Pulse team of journalists this spring as part of an immersive learning experience provided through the Iowa State University Foundation. She is the first candidate to be selected by ISU for this multiyear educational program. Johnson will be based in Washington, D.C., where she will write articles for the Agri-Pulse newsletter — a must-read, subscriber-only product offering the latest ag and food policy information — as well as contribute to all other facets of coverage offered at Agri-Pulse.com.
- The U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has published a proposed rule to update the definition of the “healthy” claim on food packaging to help improve American diets. The proposed rule would align the definition of the “healthy” claim with current nutrition science, the updated Nutrition Facts label, and the current Dietary Guidelines for Americans. Read the proposed rule here. The Georgia Peanut Commission and the U.S. Peanut Federation are requesting peanut growers and industry stakeholders to submit comments to the FDA using this link. Submitting comments ensures that the message of the peanut industry strong and clear for the FDA to take into consideration for the final rule.
- National Association of State Departments of Agriculture members, the state commissioners, secretaries and directors of agriculture, hand-selected seven issues to serve as the organization’s primary policy focus for 2023. They include the 2023 Farm Bill, animal health, environmental regulations, food production and the supply chain, food safety, international trade and workforce development.
- Exhibit space at the 2023 Commodity Classic in Orlando is rapidly reaching sell-out status with nearly 400 companies and over 2,600 booth spaces already committed. A limited number of prime visibility booths are expected to sell quickly.
- The USDA National Organic Program previewed the Strengthening Organic Enforcement final rule. This update to the USDA organic regulations strengthens oversight and enforcement of the production, handling, and sale of organic products. This final rule implements 2018 Farm Bill mandates, responds to industry requests for updates to the USDA organic regulations, and addresses National Organic Standards Board recommendations.
- Northern Soy Marketing (NSM) traveled to Thailand for its first international trip of 2023, focused on promoting the soy quality of northern-grown and beans and meal exported via the Pacific Northwest, as well as the importance of looking at critical essential amino acids versus crude protein. NSM trip participants had the opportunity change the language around true protein quality during a seminar and site visits to feed mills and vegetable oil companies.
- Researchers at the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s (USDA) Agricultural Research Service (ARS) bred four cotton lines that can be used to make self-extinguishing textiles when exposed to fire and will reduce the need for flame-retardant chemicals to be embedded in consumer products, according to a recent study published in PLOS ONE.
- Join the Livestock Publications Council for a luncheon at Cattle Industry Convention in New Orleans, Louisiana. Register for NCBA-LPC Luncheon by Friday, January 20.
- The National Corn Growers Association announced that Sadie Lackey has joined the organization as the manager of grassroots advocacy and leadership development.
