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A Sweet Deal? U.S. Considers $80 Million Sugar Bailout

Senate Bill Amendment Targets USDA Sugar Purchases

By , Farms.com

An amendment to the Senate bill would require the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) to purchase sugar to keep prices high enough so that agricultural sugar producers don’t default on government loans.

Prices have fallen 18 per cent over the last couple of months after a bumper crop of sugar beets and cane. The government loans are worth $862 million.

Prior to the amendment, the USDA was considering buying 400,000 tons of sugar that would then be sold to U.S. ethanol plants, at an estimated cost of $80 million.

The amendment calls for cutting funding of surplus sugar purchases by the federal government.

The amendment was submitted by Senator Jeanne Shaheen (D., N.H.), and was co-sponsored by Sens. John McCain (R., Ariz.), Pat Toomey (R., Pa.), Mark Kirk (R. Ill.) and Kelly Ayotte (R., N.H.).

The amendment may be put to a vote and attached to the Democratic budget.


Trending Video

Spring weed control in winter wheat with Broadway® Star (pyroxsulam + florasulam)

Video: Spring weed control in winter wheat with Broadway® Star (pyroxsulam + florasulam)

#CortevaTalks brings you a short update with Cereal Herbicides Category Manager, Alister McRobbie, on how to get the most out of Broadway® Star.

Significant populations of grassweeds, including ryegrass and brome, can threaten winter wheat yields. Spring applications of a contact graminicide, such as Broadway Star from Corteva Agriscience, can clear problem weeds, allowing crops to grow away in the spring.

Broadway Star (pyroxsulam + florasulam) controls ryegrass, sterile brome, wild oats and a range of broad-leaved weeds such as cleavers. It can be applied to winter wheat up until GS32, but the earlier the application is made, the smaller the weed, and the greater the benefit to the crop. Weeds should be actively growing. A good rule of thumb is that if your grass needs cutting, conditions are right to apply Broadway Star.

 

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