Did you miss some news this week? We’ve got you covered. Here’s a collection of the top headlines in agriculture.

Oxbo buys H&S Manufacturing

Oxbo is expanding its presence and portfolio in the hay and forage industry through the acquisition of H&S Manufacturing in Marshfield and Clintonville, Wisconsin. The acquisition is designed to foster high-quality product innovation, ensure customer service, and strengthen the company’s position in the global hay and forage market. – Oxbo

USDA invests in biofuel infrastructure

Agriculture Secretary Tom Vilsack says USDA plans to invest up to $500 million in biofuel infrastructure projects through its Higher Blends Infrastructure Incentive Program. The first set of 59 projects announced Monday intends to increase the availability of domestic biofuels. Funding for the initiative will come from the Inflation Reduction Act of 2022. – Farm Progress

July 4 cookout less than $7 per person

Celebrating Independence Day with a cookout will cost significantly more than two years ago, although prices have fallen slightly from record highs in 2022. Families will pay $67.73 to host an Independence Day cookout for 10, down 3% from last year. Farm Bureau’s survey shows a year-to-year increase in the cost of hamburger buns, beef and potato salad, while there are drops in the cost of chicken breasts, lemonade and cookies. – American Farm Bureau

Canadian wildfires still burning

Fires in Canada began in early June and have affected Ontario and Quebec, have impacted Canadians and Americans alike. Earlier this month, cities like New York and Philadelphia were blanketed in a thick haze that eventually traveled south to Baltimore and Washington, D.C. This week smoke affected the Midwest, with air quality alerts in cities like Detroit, Minneapolis and Chicago. How long will the fires last? – CBS News

Industry groups look to kill WOTUS for good

More than 18 trade associations are asking a Texas federal court judge to throw out what is left of the Biden administration’s Waters of the United States rule. The associations contend that, given the fundamental flaws of the current rule, it should be completely vacated in favor of a new rule. EPA officials say they plan to release a new WOTUS rule by Sept. 1. – Farm Progress

Derecho blasts Iowa to Indiana

An intense line of destructive thunderstorms known as a derecho wreaked havoc across the central United States on Thursday with hurricane-force winds and possible tornadoes. The cluster of thunderstorms initially fired early Wednesday night over northeastern Colorado and swept across southern Nebraska throughout the night. By 6:30 p.m. EDT Thursday, the storms started to weaken as they approached Cincinnati. – AccuWeather

USDA drops acreage, grain stocks data

USDA’s June 30 Acreage Report caught everyone by surprise – especially the soybean markets. USDA estimates 83.5 million acres of soybeans were planted in the U.S. in 2023, sending prices sky-high. USDA also came in higher than expected on corn acres, with 94.1 million acres planted this spring, nearly a million more acres than the highest pre-report market estimate. Get a full recap of both reports! – Farm Futures