President Trump pardons corn the turkey, some Iowa hemp fields go up in smoke and Fudge campaigns for top job at USDA.

Janet Kubat Willette, E-Content Editor

November 27, 2020

2 Min Read
NolanBerg11/flySnow/SteveOehlenschlager/ThinkstockPhotos

Missed some ag news this week? Here are seven stories to catch you up.

1. The United Food and Commercial Workers Union is backing Rep. Marcia Fudge, D-Ohio, to be the next Agriculture Secretary. Fudge has been openly campaigning for the job and is one of the highest ranking Democrats on the House Agriculture Committee. Other people in the running for the job include former North Dakota Sen. Heidi Heitkamp and Rep. Chellie Pingree, D-Maine. – The Hill,Farm Progress

2. President Trump pardoned a turkey named corn at the White House on Tuesday. – Politico

3. Iowa farmers planted hemp on about 680 acres this year, according to the Iowa Department of Agriculture. Keeping hemp's THC – tetrahydrocannabinol – levels within the legal limit was just one of the hurdles Iowa's growers faced. About 13% of Iowa farmers' hemp fields had to be fully or partially destroyed because the THC levels in the plants exceeded the maximum allowed under state or federal laws. – Des Moines Register

4. A report finds that 1% of the world's farms operate 70% of the world's crop fields. The study is based on 17 new research papers as well as analysis of existing data and literature. – The Guardian

5. African swine fever continues to move across Europe and southeast Asia is still experiencing an outbreak, according to Dr. Liz Wagstrom, chief veterinarian with the National Pork Producers Council. CoBank economist Will Sawyer told Feedstuffs that ASF will likely remain an issue in China's hog industry for years. – KIWA Radio, Feedstuffs

6. Colorado rancher, strategic consultant and NCBA Cattlemen to Cattlemen TV host, Kevin Ochsner, told cattlemen gathered for a recent convention that cattle producers must determine "which path we will choose to take." Challenges ahead include plant-based and cultured proteins, trade, changing consumer preferences, sustainability and genetic editing. – BEEF

7. Researchers from Clemson University are working on projects to conserve water and save energy when it comes to irrigation. – Augusta Chronicle

And your bonus.

What does it take to get vegetables from the field?  Here's a look at harvest. – CNN Business

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