- Agriculture groups seek USDA control of Food for Peace amid stalled purchases (Agri-Pulse): Farm groups are lobbying Congress to transfer the Food for Peace program from the State Department to USDA, arguing State has failed to effectively administer it since taking it over from USAID. Purchases of key commodities like cornmeal and corn-soy blends are well below past averages, which groups say underscores State’s shortcomings. Lawmakers have introduced House and Senate bills led by Republicans, but farm groups are now pushing to build Democratic support, especially among Ag and Appropriations Committee members. While provisions to move the program were dropped from House appropriations earlier this year, the Senate has ordered a feasibility study. Advocates say USDA is better equipped to run the program, citing successes with McGovern-Dole and Food for Progress, and argue that shifting control could provide modest relief to farmers facing weak markets.
- Nebraska confirms first dairy herd case of bird flu amid ongoing national outbreak (USA Today): Nebraska has reported its first case of highly pathogenic avian influenza in a dairy herd, marking the latest development in an outbreak that has affected U.S. livestock for more than 18 months. The Nebraska Department of Agriculture, working with USDA’s Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service, confirmed the case in a central Nebraska herd now under quarantine. Since H5N1 was first detected in dairy cattle in March 2024, more than 1,000 herds across 17 states — including Texas, Arizona, Idaho, Nevada, Michigan, and California — have tested positive, though the pace of new cases has slowed.