Did you miss some agricultural news this week? We’ve got you covered. Here’s a roundup of the top headlines in ag to bring you up-to-speed.

E15 now available year-round

During a visit to an Iowa ethanol plant, President Biden announced the EPA is planning a federal emergency waiver allowing sales of E15 ethanol throughout the summer in an effort to combat high fuel prices. At least 300 million gallons of additional ethanol is expected to be used by consumers – and that number could increase as more stations offer E15 blends. – Farm Progress

Food prices – and food insecurity – on the rise

The latest Consumer Food Insights Report estimates the national rate of food insecurity to be 17%, a slight increase over February. The level of “very low food security” is also growing, and 46% of households making less than $50,000 annually are waiting on their next paycheck to purchase groceries. Total food spending in March increased by 8% month-over-month. – Farm Progress

Argentine trucker strike

Truckers in Argentina began an open-ended strike on Monday to demand higher rates for transporting grain and livestock. Grain transportation has come to a virtual halt at the peak of the harvest season. The indefinite strike has not yet hit exports because the ports have large reserves of grains, but it could start to affect shipments. About 85% of Argentina's grain is transported around the country by truck. – Reuters

Hay supply struggles

USDA projects harvested hay acres to fall again in 2022. While the decrease is not too surprising, it likely leads to little relief from high hay prices that have been experienced in many areas of the country since the middle of last year. The expectation for 2022 hay harvested acres in the largest 10 beef cow states comes in 3.7 million acres below its average from 2000-14. – Missouri Ruralist

How much are you paying for nitrogen?

A Purdue Extension team recently updated cost comparison tables for nitrogen, breaking it down by cost per ton and cost per pound of N. Breaking down fertilizer prices to the actual costs of N per pound will help ensure you are getting the best deal. Experts note when nitrogen is applied and how it’s applied is also important to consider, as some forms are more efficient than others. – Indiana Prairie Farmer

Save fuel on the farm

Diesel fuel prices saw their highest levels ever in recent weeks. It’s easy to fall into old habits – especially during the height of busy times on the farm. But with such tight margins in 2022, consider working with your farm team to incorporate these six tips for reducing your farm’s fuel bill. – Farm Progress

EPA’s new plan to protect endangered species

The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency released its first-ever comprehensive workplan to address the decades-old challenge of protecting endangered species from pesticides. EPA currently has over 50 pesticide ingredients, covering over 1,000 pesticide products, with court-enforceable deadlines to comply with the ESA or in pending litigation alleging ESA violations. – Farm Progress