California Crops Impacted by War & African Swine Fever Vaccine Tested

**Several California crops may begin to feel market impacts from the Russian invasion in Ukraine as it drives up prices of grains, sunflower oil and other commodities.

Meanwhile, California apple growers may be facing a new global competitor.

Poland, Europe’s largest apple producer, is expected to expand its export markets to replace Russia.

California rice growers may also be shipping to new markets to replace Russian customers.

**Scientists with USDA’s Ag Research Service announced a vaccine candidate for African swine fever passed an important safety test required for regulatory approval, moving it one step closer to commercial availability.

The new results show that USDA's vaccine candidate does not revert to its normal virulence, after being injected into swine.

The studies are necessary to gain approval for use in Vietnam and eventually in other countries around the world.

**USDA’s Food Safety and Inspection Service has approved the Clemens Food pork packing plant, in Michigan, to run faster line speeds under a one-year trial program.

The agency now has let four plants operate with faster line speeds, which could increase packing capacity and alleviate supply issues in the face of strong pork demand.

FSIS established the line speeds program in November, after a provision in USDA’s 2019 New Swine Inspection System was struck down in U.S. District Court.