Ag News Roundup: March 5, 2023

Ag news headlines this week include bird flu addressed by USDA,  drought conditions continue in Central Oregon, cloud seeding bill introduced in Oregon senate, natural carbon storage relies on soil moisture, and ethanol sales may drop with EV demand.

Bird Flu Addressed by USDA

Bird flu was the center of discussion at a recent Senate Ag committee meeting. During that meeting, lawmakers worked with USDA leadership to help address outbreaks across the country.  

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Drought Continues in Central Oregon

Drought conditions in several Central Oregon counties have and continue to impact farmers throughout the region. In addition, price hikes for fertilizer and feed, as well as a law protecting a species of frog, have strained growers and producers alike.

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Cloud Seeding Bill Introduced in Oregon Senate

Senate Bill 58 being proposed in Oregon would investigate and begin the process of cloud seeding. It’s hoped the initiative would help alleviate drought conditions throughout the state. Similar programs can be found in many U.S. states.

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Natural Carbon Storage Relies on Soil Moisture

In a recent study at Oregon State University published in the Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences, researchers found that soil is one of the planet’s main sources of carbon storage. However, moisture, and not mineral content, appears to be the key to the soil’s ability to lock away carbon.

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Ethanol Sales May Drop with Electric Vehicle Demand

The USDA is reporting that ethanol sales could decline with a rise in electric vehicle usage. The report says gasoline demand is expected to level out in the next decade and then see a steady decline in 2030 and beyond.

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