Ag News: Ag Behind Pace for 2050 Productivity

**An annual report from Virginia Tech University shows agriculture is behind the pace to meet productivity needs for 2050.

The 2021 Global Agricultural Productivity Report urges acceleration of productivity growth at all production scales to meet consumers' needs and address human and environmental well-being.

The USDA Economic Research Service's new methodology reveals productivity is not growing as fast as previously thought.

Globally, total factor productivity grew by an average of 1.36% annually from 2010 to 2019, well below the target of 1.73%.

**Brazil’s Agriculture Ministry announced it is partially halting beef production intended for China, claiming China is taking too long to lift their export ban.

The suspension started on September 4 when Brazil confirmed two atypical cases of mad cow disease, and followed existing trade protocols between Brazil and China.

Brazil's Agriculture Ministry announced it’s willing to travel to China to discuss a potential end to the ban.

Brazilian beef accounts for 40% of China’s imports.

**The USDA is offering grants to help wood products and energy companies support sustainable forest management practices to reduce wildfire risk.

The USDA Forest Service is accepting applications for funding from 2022 wood innovation and community wood grant programs.

Some $13 million in funding will support ventures that use forest materials in wood energy production or wood product manufacturing.