1. Russian & UN officials agreed to keep goods moving out of Ukraine
Russia’s Foreign Ministry confirmed to Reuters the Black Sea Grain initiative was extended for four months without any changes to the current deal.
The UN’s Secretary General tweeted he welcomes the deal, saying it will continue to allow the safe navigation and export of grain and fertilizer from the war-torn country.
To read the full story, click HERE.
2. HPAI is reaching 2015 levels
The number of birds impacted by HPAI has now surpassed 50 million, which is only 200,000 short of the 2015 outbreak, which was the largest animal health emergency in U.S. history.
The current number includes more than 600 outbreaks in commercial and backyard flocks, in all but four U.S. states.
3. The lesser prairie-chicken is now under the Endangered Species Act
Two Distinct Population Segments of the lesser prairie-chicken are now listed under the Endangered Species Act. The Southern DPS of the lesser prairie-chicken is being listed as endangered, and the Northern DPS of the lesser prairie-chicken is being listed as threatened.
Historical estimates say the species numbered in the thousands at one time across 100 million acres, but populations have drastically declined due to habitat loss, around 90 percent.
To read the full story, click HERE.
4. Ukrainian processing companies came together to ensure operations kept going
One of Ukraine’s largest tomato paste producers, Chumak, has been under occupation since the first days of the war.
All large agricultural enterprises in the region stopped working on the first day of the war and the subsequent occupation. A few months later, Chumak returned to the Ukrainian market and managed to relocate the facility.
The company needed to restart production under the Chumak brand with original recipes at the facility. Chumak contacted a company, which volunteered to support him. In other words, they turned to a competitor company.
To read the full story, click HERE.
5. Dolly Parton received the Courage and Civility Award
The Queen of Country Music and Tennessee won the Courage and Civility Award, which is accompanied by $100 million dollars.
The award is given by Amazon’s Jeff Bezos and his long-time partner, Lauren Sanchez.
Dolly is only the second recipient of this award.
To read the full story, click HERE.
