VINE Connect Applications Open and Wholesale Egg Prices Soar

**UCANR Innovate, the innovation arm of the University of California Agriculture and Natural Resources, has opened applications for its VINE Connect program.

VINE Connect bridges the gap between innovation and application by helping entrepreneurs tailor proven technologies for farmers to ease weed control, harvest and other farming tasks.

Each year, the VINE Connect program runs three cohorts, each centered on different focus areas within California agriculture.

**Shoppers were buying more eggs to bake Christmas treats ahead of the holidays at the same time U.S. wholesale egg prices were up 150% from last year.

Reuters says the average retail price of a dozen eggs surpassed $3.60 in November, $2.50 higher than the prices last January.

Retailers didn’t want to push shoppers away during the busy holiday season with higher prices, but price hikes could come in the new year.

**In a major win for the nation’s corn growers, a USMCA dispute panel ruled that Mexico violated its commitments under the U.S.-Mexico-Canada Agreement.

The violation took place in early 2023 when Mexico issued a decree banning genetically modified corn imports.

National Corn Growers Association president, Kenneth Hartman, Jr. says the outcome is a direct result of advocacy efforts of corn leaders across the country.

The U.S. Grains Council also hailed the good news.