Agri-Pulse DriveTime

Agriculture Secretary Tom Vilsack reports work continues on a H5N1 vaccine and responds to questions of the way the department handled investments in the Pure Prairie Poultry processor. 

Agriculture Secretary Tom Vilsack says USDA will begin bulk testing milk for H5N1 and global food leaders say the issue of chronic hunger is being ignored in the U.S. elections.

A global agriculture leader supports genetic engineering and a U.S. trade advisor says market promotion funding offers tremendous return on investment. 

Iowa Senator Charles Grassley says failure to approve a new farm bill this calendar year will force compromise on farm and nutrition programs next year. Meanwhile, the 2023 farm safety net will provide little if any assistance for farmers this year. 

Some Midwest lawmakers want answers from USDA into financial assistance provided to Pure Prairie Poultry. Soybean farmers are concerned about a new herbicide registration from EPA. 

The scope of reported illness from eating McDonalds Quarter Pounders has expanded. Citing new research, California's Governor is asking for quicker review of E-15 blended gasoline. 

Other restaurant chains are removing onions from their menus as a precaution while food safety officials continue their investigation into illness from McDonalds Quarter Pounders. 

Low river levels on the Mississippi River are limiting tow volumes and increasing freight costs for U.S. commodities in the global market.  

Iowa Senator Charles Grassley doesn't think Congress will pass a new five year farm bill this year. He wants a bill approved in general order with no administrative shortcuts. 

The USDA continues to expand the area where residents are eligible for D-SNAP. Georgia Representative Austin Scott says his state needs time to evaluate losses before a disaster package is approved. 

The European Union is one step closer to delaying its deforestation rule. Russia lowers its wheat forecast. Brazilian soybean forecasts are higher. 

CRP acreage higher. Additional corn sales to Mexico. Some farms facing end of year deadline to file information with Department of Treasury. 

Farm groups are calling on the White House to provide favor for domestic feedstocks under the Clean Fuels Production Credit. Some of those same groups fear the consequences of tariffs on already anemic agriculture exports. 

Despite near record yields many Midwestern crop farmers will see negative returns this year. The University of Illinois forecasts the average farm will lose $30,000 this year. 

The USDA's October WASDE report was largely in line with the September forecast and private analysts estimates. 

Economic reports suggest the U.S. economy is bringing inflation closer to the Federal Reserve's targets. Farmers in Brazil are receiving much needed moisture to help with planting. 

Hurricane Milton is spawning tornadoes in Florida in advance of expected landfall in a few hours. The storm represents the fourth major hurricane to strike the state in the last 14 months. 

A meeting at the White House today provided an exchange of information between the Biden administration and a few agriculture groups invited to participate. 

Hurricane Milton increased to a Category 5 storm today and is expected to make landfall late Wednesday threatening damage to areas already suffering from Hurricane Helene less than two weeks ago. 

Agriculture groups are relieved that Gulf and East Coast ports are back open. European regulations on deforestation may be pushed back. 

As the death toll climbs from Hurricane Helene, crop damage is being measured much further west than the epicenter of the storm. 

The impact of the East and Gulf Coast port strike ripples through the economy and can stymie container shipping of U.S. soybeans and soy products to global customers. 

Damage estimates from last week's hurricane continue to grow across the south in the wake of the storm. 

A threatened port strike at midnight has already brought financial loss to the agriculture industry from both exports and imports. 

Syngenta's Mary Kay Thatcher sizes up the November elections and addresses the EPA's effort to avoid litigation over the Endanger Species Act.