Around Washington

Kelly to Join House Ag Committee Agri-Pulse

Trent Kelly (R-MS) was sworn in June 9 after winning a June 2 special election runoff. He fills the seat vacated by the death of Alan Nunnelee, who passed away in February from brain cancer. He represents Mississippi's 1^st Congressional District, which includes all or part of 22 counties in northwest Mississippi along the Alabama and Tennessee borders.

Washington Week Ahead: TPA Heads to Senate, House Targets Obama Rules Agri-Pulse

Senate Republicans will look to send the fast-track trade bill to President Obama this week, while the House debates a spending measure that would block a wide array of environmental regulations.

Around the Country

Ag Facing Lean Year Appeal-Democrat

A variety of sources in agriculture said crop shortages caused by the drought are likely to have substantial economic impacts this year, ranging from less part-time employment to lower herbicide sales. Statewide, the drought is expected to result in a losses of $2.7 billion and 18,600 jobs, according to a study by the UC Davis Center for Watershed Sciences.

Researchers Going Up Against the Khapra Beetle as a Food Safety Concern  

Food Safety News

Khapra beetle contamination in food products presents a food safety concern as the hairs associated with larvae and cast skins are potential allergen and respiratory hazards, particularly for young children.

Richmond Company Educating American Consumers about Benefits of Rice  

Contra Costa Times

Lotus Foods trains farmers to use System Rice Intensification method of rice-growing, which reduces water use and doesn't require chemicals.

USDA Seeks Partner Proposals to Protect and Restore Critical Wetlands USDA

$17.5 million in funding will be provided through the Wetland Reserve Enhancement Partnership (WREP), a special enrollment option under the Agricultural Conservation Easement Program's Wetland Reserve Easement component. It is administered by the Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS).

Tariffs and Trade

American Food Producers See Bonanza in Cuba but Steep Barriers Remain  

Washington Post

As the administration wraps up negotiations with Cuba that are expected to lead to restored diplomatic ties this summer, only Congress can lift the embargo that still prevents nearly all financial and trade relations and severely limits even the few permitted exports. Obama has said he wants that to happen, and U.S. producers from major agribusiness companies to small farmers have joined a bipartisan force of farm state governors and lawmakers to help overturn restrictions they say are keeping them out of a $2 billion annual market.