Produce - General

These Half-Dozen U.S. Ag Trade Missions Aim To Diversify Global Demand

Wed, 31 Dec 2025 16:46:10 GMT

Trump’s USDA team has announced its agribusiness trade missions for the year ahead.

“Our team certainly plays an important role in generating demand overseas for the products,” says Luke Lindberg, USDA undersecretary for trade and foreign agricultural affairs.

Lindberg points to a three-point plan Agriculture Secretary Brooke Rollins’ team is deploying:

Get better trade agreements.
Build willing buyer and willing seller relationships.
Hold trading partners accountable.

According to Lindberg, the goal is it “helps to cultivate, it helps to diversify, so we’re not solely focused on one or two key buyers. I think if you go to many business owners and ask them, would you rather have one buyer that buys 80% of your products or would you rather have some diversification to lots of buyers who have ups and downs of their own, I think many of them would say they prefer the diversification model.”

So far, six agribusiness trade missions have been announced for 2026 with the goal of growing global markets, increasing exports and strengthening the agricultural economy.

The six mission destinations, and potential agricultural focus areas, include the following.

1. February 2026, Jakarta, Indonesia

Since 2020, annual U.S. ag exports to Indonesia have hovered between $2.75 billion and $3.25 billion. Overall, it’s the 11^th largest trade partner for U.S. ag goods.

Indonesia is the fourth-largest market for U.S. soybeans following China, the European Union and Mexico. According to U.S. Census Bureau trade data, in 2024 Indonesia imported from the U.S. $1.2 billion in soybeans, $198 million in wheat and $139 million in cotton. This past July, the Indonesia private sector and the U.S. wheat industry signed a memorandum committing to purchasing at least 1 million metric tons of U.S. wheat between 2026 and 2030 plus a minimum of 800,000 metric tons of wheat in 2025 (prorated).

The Trump administration has worked to address long-standing barriers to U.S. agricultural trade and expanding market access into Indonesia with a trade agreement eliminating tariffs on more than 99% of U.S. products.

2. April 2026, Manila, Philippines

U.S. ag exports to the Philippines have more than doubled since 2010. In 2024, the total value was $3.5 billion, making it the ninth-largest customer for U.S. ag trade.

With limited domestic production, the Philippines imports nearly all of its dairy products, and specifically $365 million comes from the U.S. Poultry exports to the Philippines totaled $187 million, with a majority of that in frozen chicken leg quarters.

The U.S. gained market share for ethanol imports into the Philippines, having doubled volumes in 2024 with a value of $138 million.

Beef and beef products are the sixth-largest group of ag products the Philippines imports from the U.S. This category has also experienced recent growth by increasing 58% from 2023 to 2024. The U.S. is second to Brazil in market share for beef imported into the Philippines.

In 2024, the Philippines imported $120 million of pork and pork products from the U.S. The country’s local supply has been declining because of African Swine Fever.

According to an announcement in July, the Trump administration said the Philippines will charge zero tariffs for U.S. exports into their market, while the Philippines will pay 19% tariffs to the U.S.

3. May 2026, Istanbul, Turkey

According to USDA analysis, Turkey has grown its strength as an importer of raw materials and then reexported finished products. This includes importing wheat for flour and cotton for apparel.

Because of its geographic location, Turkey has also grown as a strategic regional transshipment hub, connecting U.S. exporters with trade partners across the Caucasus region.

In September, Turkey lifted its retaliatory tariffs on some U.S. ag products: rice, tree nuts, distilled spirits and more. The Trump administration says a focus for the upcoming agribusiness trade mission will be to address nontariff barriers to trade, which includes import bans on U.S. animal protein.

4. August 2026, Australia and New Zealand

The Trump administration says its trade breakthroughs with Australia will give greater access to U.S. beef exporters. The U.S.-Australia Free Trade Agreement is structured to give comprehensive duty-free market access.

Other protein sectors have significant trade established with Australia. In 2024, $328 million worth of U.S. pork and pork products were imported. And $173 million of U.S. dairy products were brought into the country.

New Zealand imported $520 million worth of U.S. ag goods, including: soybean meal, dairy ingredients (lactose and whey), fresh fruit and distiller’s dried grains.

5. September 2026, Saudi Arabia

This agribusiness trade mission will focus on technical issues and nontariff barriers. Saudi Arabia is the 23^rd largest ag export market for the U.S., and it is a gateway to the $3 billion market for U.S. ag goods that is the Cooperation Council for the Arab States of the Gulf.

Over the past 10 years, the country has increased its imports of U.S. hay by 540% to its recent total of $152 million in 2024.

Corn, tree nuts and rice are also key ag goods exported from the U.S. to Saudi Arabia, totaling $239 million, $169 million and $123 million, respectively.

6. November 2026, Vietnam

USDA says this trade mission will focus on preferential access for specialty cheese and meats as well as improved market access for U.S. peaches and nectarines.

U.S. ag exports to the country peaked in 2018 at $4 billion and in 2023 were around $3.1 billion. Ranked from highest value to smallest, the top five ag products exported from the U.S. into Vietnam in 2023 were: cotton, soybeans, distillers grains, soybean meal and tree nuts.

For meat and meat products, the key prospects include frozen/chilled beef (boneless and bone-in), frozen chicken (leg quarters, legs and paws), and turkey.

Dairy could be a growth market for U.S. exports into Vietnam as nonfat dried milk powder has led the segment to total $146 million of imports in 2023. Fresh cheese (for foodservice/restaurants) is in demand by younger generations despite not being part of a traditional diet in the country.

USDA also points to fresh fruit as a growth category for the country, namely apples, cherries and grapes.

Kennedy Says U.S. to Announce New Dietary Guidelines in December

Thu, 06 Nov 2025 19:18:49 GMT

U.S. President Donald Trump’s administration will release new dietary guidelines in December aimed at reducing high rates of obesity and changing the country’s food culture, U.S. Health Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr. said on Thursday, Nov. 6.

“We’re about to release dietary guidelines that are going to change the food culture in this country,” Kennedy told reporters during an event in the Oval Office, where Trump announced a deal with Eli Lilly and Novo Nordisk to cut the price of weight loss drugs. “We’re releasing those in December.”

Kennedy says the new guidelines would change the kind of food served to military service members and children in schools, but gave no details on the new recommendations.

“If we want to solve the chronic disease crisis, we have to tackle obesity,” Kennedy says. “Obesity is the No. 1 driver of chronic disease.”

Fifty percent of the adult U.S. population is obese or overweight, Kennedy says, adding that it’s driving costs up for diabetes care and cardiac diseases.

The updated U.S. Dietary Guidelines for Americans, which influence school lunches, medical advice and nutrition standards, have been anticipated since summer. The new guidelines are expected to address saturated fat, found mainly in meat and certain oils, and ultra-processed food, along with modified suggestions related to dairy consumption, sources familiar with the process told Reuters in June.

The Department of Health and Human Services and USDA publish the guidelines jointly every five years.

The current dietary guidelines recommend limiting saturated fat to less than 10% of total calories consumed daily, and do not address ultra-processed food. The definition of ultra-processed food is hotly debated by the food industry, while the report describes it as industrially manufactured products.

The guidelines recommend limiting consumption of alcoholic beverages to one drink a day for women and two for men, or not drinking.

(Reporting by Steve Holland and Andrea Shalal; Editing by Hugh Lawson)

Rural America is Facing a Mounting Labor Crisis

Fri, 11 Jul 2025 21:02:49 GMT

The American labor market is reaching a critical turning point that could tighten labor availability in rural industries and slow growth across the U.S. economy. A new quarterly report from CoBank’s Knowledge Exchange warns that demographic shifts and recent policy changes may start impacting businesses as soon as late 2025.

From livestock and crop operations to food processors and rural cooperatives, this labor shortage is becoming especially noticeable in the heart of America’s farmland. Many producers are already struggling to fill roles, and the challenge is expected to intensify in the coming months.

“Barring an unforeseen change in labor force participation rates or immigration policies, the pool of available workers is set to shrink sharply in the next few years,” says Rob Fox, director of CoBank’s Knowledge Exchange. “The problem will be even more serious in states with slower population growth in the Upper Midwest, Corn Belt and Central Plains.”

Demographic Pressures Mount

Fox says the warning signs have been building for years. Labor force participation has steadily declined, birth rates have dropped and immigration policy has become more restrictive.

Between 2022 and 2024, nearly 9 million immigrants arrived in the U.S., driven by global humanitarian crises and relaxed federal rules. While that influx temporarily eased labor constraints, Fox says it only masked deeper, long-term trends.

U.S. fertility rates have fallen from 2.12 children per woman in 2007 to 1.62 in 2023, meaning fewer young people are entering the workforce just as the last of the baby boomers retire. In addition, labor force participation has slipped from a peak of 67% in 2000 to 62% today. Nearly 2.5 million working-age Americans have left the labor force in the past eight months alone.

“There is no single reason people are stepping away,” Fox explains. “It’s a combination of rising caregiving responsibilities, job skill mismatches, mental health challenges and higher disability rates. These are complex issues that won’t be resolved overnight.”

Shrinking Workforce Hits Agriculture Hard

The effects are already being felt across rural America. Farms, food processors, equipment dealers and cooperatives are struggling to find and keep the workers they need to maintain daily operations. Seasonal labor has become harder to find and full-time positions, especially those requiring specialized skills or long hours, are increasingly difficult to fill.

In regions with slower population growth, such as the upper Midwest and central Plains, the challenge is even more acute. These areas often lack the population inflows that help offset workforce losses elsewhere in the country.

While labor has been tight for several years, Fox warns that conditions are poised to deteriorate further.

“What we are facing is not just a cyclical labor issue; it’s a structural one,” he says.

Border encounters have dropped sharply since August 2024, signaling a steep decline in immigration. Combined with rising political pressure to increase deportations, the agricultural labor pool could shrink even more in the months ahead.

“Immigration has long been a key pillar supporting the rural workforce,” Fox notes. “Without a steady flow of new workers, farms and agribusinesses will have to get creative, either by increasing wages, automating tasks or changing how they manage production.”

Technology Offers a Path Forward

In response, more agricultural businesses are turning to technology to help offset the labor gap.

“The key to addressing labor scarcity always lies in innovation,” Fox says. “AI and robotics are no longer limited to the factory floor. They are increasingly being used in fields, dairies and food plants.”

A recent Gallup poll found that nearly one in five workers already uses artificial intelligence in some form each week. At the same time, the cost of robotics has dropped by nearly half in the past decade, making automation more accessible for a broader range of farms and agribusinesses.

CoBank’s report notes that many farm supply customers are using new tools to increase efficiency, improve decision-making and free up time for employees to focus on higher-value responsibilities.

Planning for What Comes Next

As producers look toward 2026, a combination of labor constraints, volatile input costs and shifting policy landscapes will continue to shape decision-making. Fox thinks adaptability will be essential.

“Technology will be critical to agriculture’s future,” he says. “AI and robotics can help farmers do more with fewer workers, boosting efficiency and margins. But investment decisions must be made carefully, especially in this uncertain economic environment.”

Until clearer policies emerge on trade, labor and energy, rural America will need to prepare for continued pressure.

“This is a pivotal moment,” Fox concludes. “Farms that plan ahead, embrace innovation and stay flexible will be best positioned to succeed.”

Agencies seek input on food date labeling

Thu, 05 Dec 2024 17:45:42 GMT

The USDA’s Food Safety and Inspection Service and the Food and Drug Administration are seeking public input on food date labeling and related food waste issues.

Comments are due Feb. 3, according to a notice .

The agencies are looking for information on industry practices and preferences for date labeling, research results on consumer perceptions of date labeling and any impact date labeling may have on food waste, the notice said.

Some of the questions the agencies are seeking input on include:

Which products contain date labels, and which do not? Why do some products contain date labels and others do not?
What standards or criteria do manufacturers and producers consider when deciding which food date label phrase to use? Are different phrases used for different products or categories of products, and if so, why?
Are there legal or trade requirements or marketing standards that impact which phrases are used (i.e. local or state requirements, industry best practice standards, etc.)? If so, please describe.
What standards or criteria do manufacturers and producers consider when deciding what date to use? Would a particular product have a different date depending on the phrase used (e.g., would the date be the same or different if the phrase were “Best if Used By” versus “Use By” or “Freeze By”)? If so, please explain.
What challenges or limitations do food manufacturers have when establishing or changing food date labels? Are there costs associated with changing the date label phrase or date used in addition to the costs associated with any label change? If so, please explain what those are.
What data is available on the use of certain food date label phrases and cost to manufacturers, retailers or consumers?
How do grocery retailers determine that a food item is no longer sellable? Do the considerations differ depending on the food item? Do the considerations take into account the phrase and/or date on the label, and if so, how?
What studies or data are available on consumer understanding of current date labeling on food that FSIS and FDA regulate, and why are these studies or data important for FSIS and FDA to consider? Are there data and studies that demonstrate that consumers are confused by date labels and think the dates determine whether food is safe?
Are there any available studies or data on whether and how consumers consider food date labels when grocery shopping or when deciding to discard food at home?
What data are available on the most effective ways for presenting food date labels on food items so that consumers can easily access and clearly understand the information?
What studies exist on the factors that should be considered in a national education campaign aimed at reducing consumer confusion about date labels? Please explain the reasoning as to why a study should be considered.
What studies detailing the effects of date labeling on food waste should FSIS and FDA consider, and why?
What factors do firms (e.g., manufacturers, retailers, food banks) and individuals consider when determining which food items to donate or discard? Specifically, do firms or individuals use food date labels to inform decisions to donate or discard food items? Please provide supporting studies or data.
What estimates are available concerning the value of food that is discarded due to date labels, including any studies regarding the value discarded due to confusion of date labels?

New rule aims to give H-2A workers new protections

Wed, 13 Sep 2023 16:01:53 GMT

H-2A workers would receive new protections under a proposal from the Department of Labor .

The proposed new rule would strengthen protections for farmworkers in the H-2A program and help prevent abuses that undermine wages and standards for all agricultural workers, according to the agency.

“Farm workers are vital to our farmers, our food supply and our communities,” acting Labor Secretary Julie Su said in a news release. “This proposed rule would strengthen protections for H-2A farm workers who are particularly vulnerable to labor abuses, empower them to advocate for fair treatment and ensure that their employment does not depress labor standards and undercut domestic farm workers. The administration is committed to protecting all workers, and this proposal would significantly advance that effort.”

This proposal builds on a final rule the department published in October 2022 that modernized key aspects of the H-2A program . If implemented, this new rule would improve workers’ ability to advocate for better working conditions by expanding and clarifying existing anti-retaliation protections, according to the release.

The proposed rule would also expand workers’ rights to invite and accept guests — including labor organizations — to employer-provided housing. Additionally, for workers not protected by the National Labor Relations Act, the proposed rule would require employers to provide a list of workers to a requesting labor organization, permit workers to designate a representative to attend any meeting between a worker and the employer where the worker reasonably believes that the meeting may lead to discipline, and prohibit employers from holding captive audience meetings unless the employer provides certain information to ensure that such meetings are not coercive, the release said.

The proposal would also create greater transparency for workers about their prospective employers’ stance on their right to organize freely and without interference by requiring employers seeking to hire H-2A workers to provide a certification to the Department of Labor that the employer will bargain in good faith over the terms of a proposed labor neutrality agreement with a requesting labor organization or will explain why they will not do so, according to the release.

The proposed rule would clarify that an employer only terminates a worker for cause when the worker either fails to meet pre-specified productivity standards or fails to comply with employer policies after the employer applies a system of progressive discipline, the release said. The proposal would establish six conditions to terminate a worker for cause, including that the employee has been informed of, or reasonably should have known, the employer’s policy, rule or productivity standards.

Clarifying the meaning of the term for cause in existing regulations is important because termination for cause generally strips affected workers of their right to be offered work hours of at least three-quarters of the contract period and the right to outbound transportation, according to the release. For U.S. workers, termination for cause also strips them of their right to be contacted for employment in the subsequent year, the release said.

The proposal would also make foreign labor recruitment more transparent, the release said. In line with concerns expressed by workers’ rights and anti-trafficking organizations, the Government Accountability Office and the department’s Office of Inspector General, the department has found that increased transparency is necessary to help protect agricultural workers from predatory practices during the recruitment process, the release said.

The proposed rule would require employers to provide a copy of all agreements with any agent or recruiter the employer engages in recruiting prospective H-2A workers to the department, regardless of whether the agent is in the U.S. or abroad. The proposed rule would also require employers to identify and disclose the name and location of anyone soliciting H-2A workers on their behalf, the release said.

The proposed rule would make wages more predictable in the H-2A program by making new wage rates applicable immediately upon their publication in the Federal Register rather than weeks later, the release said. “This will ensure that agriculture workers are paid the most up-to-date wages as soon as possible,” the Labor Department said in the release.

The rule would also require employers who fail to provide adequate notice to workers of a delay in their start date to pay workers the applicable rate for each day that work is delayed for up to 14 days, the release said. The proposal would further require enhanced transparency for employers to communicate minimum productivity standards, applicable wage rates, overtime opportunities and delayed start dates to workers.

The proposal also seeks to improve workers’ access to safe transportation, including seat belts. Workers in the H-2A program often travel long distances to and from the worksite in crowded vans and buses, sometimes driven by workers who worked all day, raising grave concerns about transportation safety . The proposed rule would add a seat belt requirement to reduce these hazards. For vehicles that are required by the Department of Transportation to be manufactured with seat belts, the proposed rule would prohibit the use of any employer-provided vehicle to transport H-2A workers unless each occupant is wearing a seat belt before the vehicle is operated, except in specific circumstances, the release said.

Another goal of the proposal, the agency said, is enhancing enforcement to improve program integrity. The proposed rule would increase the speed with which the debarment of any business that violates H-2A program rules becomes effective by streamlining deadlines for Office of Foreign Labor Certification integrity and Wage and Hour Division enforcement actions. The proposed rule would also make it easier for the workforce system to discontinue necessary recruitment services for employers who have failed to meet program requirements, the release said.

Finally, the proposed rule would prohibit employers from holding or confiscating a worker’s passport, visa or other immigration or government identification documents.

Upon publication in the Federal Register, the notice of proposed rulemaking will be open for public comment for 60 days . The department said it will consider all comments received before publishing a final rule.

What do interest rate increases and bank downgrades mean for farmers?

Mon, 14 Aug 2023 21:53:43 GMT

Three recent headlines from the financial world have farmers asking how those events could affect their lending situation.

At the end of July, the Federal Reserve raised interest rates o the highest level in 22 years by increased its benchmark lending rate by a quarter point to a range of 5.25 to 5.5%.

In early August, Fitch Ratings downgraded the U.S. long-term foreign-currency issuer default rating to ‘AA+' from ‘AAA’ saying this move “reflects the expected fiscal deterioration over the next three years, a high and growing general government debt burden.”

Also in early August Moody’s cut its ratings of 10 U.S. banks (Commerce Bank, BOK Financial, M&T Bank, Old National Bank, Prosperity Bank, Amarillo National Bank, Webster Financial, Fulton Financial, Pinnacle Financial and Associated Bank), and the firm put some major lenders on watch for a potential downgrade (Bank of New York Mellon, U.S. Bancorp, State Street, Truist Financial, Cullen/Frost Bankers and Northern Trust).

Alan Hoskins president at American Farm Mortgage and Financial Services points out many of the institutions being named by Moody’s are publicly traded banks and are very different than the banks many farmers work with. But he’s says, it’s time for farm business managers to pay attention to what’s happening in the larger financial space.

“It’s important to remember banks make money by buying and selling money,” Hoskins says. “With interest rate costs doing what they’ve done in the recent months, that’s the expense side of the bank. And you’re seeing profitability pressures because the costs are going up.”

He says he’s not envious of the job Federal Reserve Chairman Powell has, “He has a difficult job on its best day.”

From Hoskins perspective, the banking system is still very sound and the changes in the credit ratings or bank ratings aren’t terribly shocking.

“Take this opportunity to be mindful that banks costs are going up,” he says. “I wouldn’t say it’s anything to be overly concerned about. And certainly, if you go back to the mid-80s and what had then, we don’t have anything like that today.”

While his warning level is low, he does advocate farmers stay aware and as such here are three things:

Be comfortable with the institutions you are doing business with.
Be diligent, and keep your finger on the pulse of what is developing.
If farmers have questions or concerns about their institution and its profitability, the publicly and privately held bank data is available at ffiec.gov .

“In any environment, we can see banks be challenged, but every bank is managed by individuals,” he says. “For farm managers, just sitting down with the folks they do business with and having a good honest conversation has value. Increased communication I don’t think has ever resulted in a bad outcome.”

One example Hoskins shares is in regard to farmer cash flow.

“Recent events have opened the dialogue to a new avenue that candidly should have been a little more present all along,” he says “There’s more of a focus on the overall cash flow than a few years ago. Because of the low interest rate environment, just saying yes was a lot easier because you get higher profitability and you have a very low interest rates.”

He shares on the perspective is weighted with looking at how much of the gross farm revenue is being spent on interest and project that figure out in the future.

“For example, if a farmer has real estate loans that many be coming up to reprice in the next three years, what would that look like if we hold prices and yields constant—what does that do to their operation? When folks are looking at expansion, it really allows us the opportunity to focus more on how we within the banking industry provide more value to the customer,” Hoskins says.

Squash the Record: Nebraska Pumpkin Grower Paddles 846-lb. Pumpkin on Missouri River

Mon, 24 Jul 2023 18:11:29 GMT

To commemorate his 60th trip around the sun, Duane Hansen set a new world record. Hansen, of Syracuse, Neb., grew a pumpkin that clocked in at 846 lb. (and appropriately named it Berta). He hollowed it out to create a makeshift boat.

At 7:30 a.m. on Aug. 27, Hansen jumped in his pumpkin and launched from the Missouri River boat ramp in Bellevue, Neb. Eleven hours and 38 miles later, he docked in Nebraska City, Neb. Hansen’s 38 miles afloat in his orange vessel eclipses the previous record of 25.5 miles, which was set in 2018 by a man who paddled from North Dakota to Minnesota, according to Guinness World Record .

“I’ve been dreaming about this,” Hansen says. “This has been a five-year journey to get a pumpkin that’s big enough.”

What was the biggest challenge of the journey? “Not swamping it,” Hansen told News Channel Nebraska .

Gourdspeed Duane, gourdspeed.

6 Tips for Being a Mentor to a Young Farmer

Mon, 12 Dec 2022 20:19:13 GMT

At a certain point in your farming career, people will ask you for help and advice. This provides you the opportunity to give back, lift others up, provide value and feel good.

But mentoring doesn’t come natural to all of us. Plus, there are times when people ask but they either are not a good fit or maybe aren’t the type of person in which you want to invest.

Here are a few tips for evaluating a mentoring request.

1. ASSESS THE FIT. Is this a person you have the expertise and skills to help?

2. SET TIME PARAMETERS. If someone wants to have a phone call or take you to lunch, you are not obligated to donate your entire afternoon. Say, ‘Sure I have 30 minutes to talk with you.’ Then stick to the parameters. If needed, kindly stop the person when you need to go. They need to respect your time.

3. DETERMINE THE MENTEE’S WILLINGNESS. Does the mentee actually want guidance? Ask him or her if they are up for honest feedback. Like you, I get a lot of resumes from acquaintances’ kids looking for me to recommend them for a job or internship. But not all resumes are the caliber I can recommend to my colleagues. The best thing I can offer is kind suggestions for improvement. I’ve had people get mad, taking offense to the fact I won’t just “send it on.” These are parents and students who can’t accept feedback, and they are not likely to get ahead.

4. SET SOME GOALS. Ask the mentee what their goals are and what outcomes they seek. Are they ready to do something new or take a leap? There is no reason to listen to someone complain about their personal problems (if they are serious enough, you need to connect them with a counseling professional). If the mentee doesn’t keep it focused and productive, move on.

5. ENSURE APPRECIATION. Does the mentee show you genuine appreciation and respect for your time and talents? If they are late, constantly rescheduling or just mooching, it’s not a fit. Have you ever had someone in your house you can’t seem to get to go home no matter how many hints you drop? Or do you have a person who gobbles food or beer and never repays? It feels bad — and it enables. Your mentee should feel grateful for what you offer; if not, it’s not worth it for them.

6. DECIDE IF YOU CARE. No really, do you enjoy talking to the mentee? That’s the easy gut-check question. If you are having fun and learning something from your mentee, it’s probably a great relationship that could span a career. It can be hard to kindly tell someone no; however, I encourage you, for the mentee’s sake equally as much as your own, to evaluate carefully and offer your time thoughtfully.

Join Sarah Beth Aubrey at the 2023 Top Producer Summit in Nashville, Jan. 23-25. Register now!

Executive Women in Agriculture Focus
Tuesday, Jan. 24, Noon to 3:30 p.m.

12:00 p.m. to 12:15 p.m. – Open and Welcome, Sarah Beth Aubrey, ACT
12:30 p.m. – 1 p.m. –Keynote Presentation, Jackie Applegate, Bayer
1 p.m. – 1:20 p.m. – How to Start a Side Business, Sarah Beth Aubrey
1:20 p.m. – 1:30 p.m. – Break
1:30 p.m. – 2:15 p.m. – Female Farmer Panel: Jennie Schmidt, Maryland; Susan Weaver Ford, North Carolina
2:15 p.m. – 3:00 p.m. – How to Keep the Balls in the Air Panel: Mandi Kerr, Global Hemp Association
3:00 p.m. – 3:30 p.m. – Facilitated Wrap Up, Group Fun, Sarah Beth Aubrey

Packer Insight — Chef'd and Other Meal Kits at Retail

Tue, 15 Nov 2022 07:46:08 GMT

Produce Retailer editor Pamela Riemenschneider and staff writer Ashley Nickle discuss the revamped meal kits from Chef’d and other products now in stores -- and the all-important questions of where to merchandise them.

MORE: Shelf life improvement sparks rapid retail growth for Chef’d

MORE: Pamela’s Kitchen: Chef’d Meal Kits

Freight Rates Skyrocket

Tue, 15 Nov 2022 07:27:49 GMT

Transportation woes continue to haunt Northeast shippers as trucks remain hard to come by and freight rates skyrocket because of rising fuel costs and a scarcity of drivers.

“Trucks are at a premium right now,” said Tracie Levin, controller at M. Levin and Co. , in Philadelphia.

“It’s a major hindrance for our industry and anyone else that uses trucking, which is basically every industry out there,” she said.

Shippers can’t even buy trucks.

“We’ve been on wait lists to get more trucks, trailer and tractors,” she said. “You just cannot get those things these days.”

But Levin is optimistic that things will turn around. She said some relief is already in evidence.

“We’re slowly able to get things again in a semi timely manner,” she said.

East Coast shippers have been dealing with transportation issues, but there are trucks available, said Tom Beaver, director of sales and marketing for Sunny Valley International Inc. , in Glassboro, N.J.

“Obviously, the cost of brokering a truck, especially for our (less-than-load) business, has increased considerably, but the same is true for all of our competitors,” he said. “We’re adjusting to this ‘new normal,’ but the important thing is that we can get fruit loaded and out to our customers on time and in full.”

Transportation challenges are more prevalent during the winter than they are during the spring and summer for Vineland, N.J.-based The Freshwave Fruit & Produce and its growing operation, Consalo Family Farms , said Chelsea Consalo, executive vice president.

That’s because the company has more local deals during the warmer months.

During the winter, the firm must bring in products from outside growing areas, such as Mexico, and transport fruits and vegetables imported from offshore growing regions, such as Chile, from U.S. ports.

“We have more trucks on the road (in winter),” she said.

Transportation costs are a major concern.

“We’re managing to get the trucks,” Consalo said. “It is just more expensive.”

(Farm Journal)

The Freshwave has added Nick Crisafulli, who recently completed an internship at Americold Logistics LLC, to its logistics staff to help arrange transportation.

Vineland-based Flaim Farms Inc . has its own fleet of trucks for local deliveries, said president Ryan Flaim.

But trying to find trucks for destinations that are farther out is challenging.

The company has good relationships with trucking firms, but rates are much higher than they have been in the past, Flaim said.

Finding transportation isn’t a problem, as long as you’re willing to pay exorbitant fees, said Joel Fierman, president of New York-based Joseph Fierman and Sons Inc .

“It’s really a pity when your cost for transportation pretty much is as high as your cost for goods,” he said.

He blamed the price spike on high fuel costs and a scarcity of drivers.

“It’s a terrible, terrible thing that this country is experiencing right now,” he said.

An added problem during the Christmas season was that many trucks were sidetracked delivering Christmas trees.

“It’s fast, easy money,” he said.

Filindo Colace, vice president of operations for Philadelphia-based Ryeco LLC , attributes the skyrocketing inflation rate the industry has experienced to high freight costs.

“Freight has been a premium for quite some time,” he said.

While seed prices and other costs have also gone up, he said high freight rates are 90% of the cause of inflation.

“Nothing in the industry has gone up at the same rate as freight has,” Colace said.

But he remains optimistic.

“We think the country is moving on,” he said. “We’re going to be as back-to-business as usual as possible in the first quarter of next year.”

He expected buying patterns to return to where they were in 2019.

“We hope the workforce returns to those levels, as well,” he said.

“If that’s the case, it will be our expectation that freight rates will start to lower because there are more truck drivers coming back into the workforce.”

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8 Tips to Help You Navigate National FFA Convention and Expo

Tue, 25 Oct 2022 14:06:54 GMT

How is FFA growing the next generation of leaders who will change the world? For many young people, growth occurs during the National FFA Convention & Expo. FFA members and advisors from all over the country will be gathering in Indianapolis, Ind., for the 95th National FFA Convention & Expo on Oct. 26-29.

“No matter where you are in FFA, you’ll find inspiration and direction to become a leader and influencer, ready to make an impact. During this event, find out who you are, who you want to become and how you can change how the world grows,” the organization said on its website.

Here are a few tips from National FFA to help make your convention experience a positive one.

1. Avoid the registration lines with three easy steps.
For chapter advisors who haven’t completed ALL steps of the registration process, expect unusually long lines at the Indiana Convention Center, Hall A. Those steps include:
1. Add attendee names for every registration purchased.
2. Assign agenda activities to each attendee’s name.
3. Ensure all attendees have completed their Health, Safety and Event Participation and Code of Conduct e-waiver.
These steps should be completed before you travel to Indianapolis. Links and instructions are available in the registration confirmation email. If an attendee doesn’t have a waiver accurately completed, they will not receive a badge to enter the event. Remember: An attendee under 18 MUST have their e-waiver signed by a parent or guardian.

2. See something, say something.
Let someone know if an FFA member or guest is behaving inappropriately or not living up to the Code of Ethics. Throughout convention, there will be signs with a QR Code that can be scanned to report bullying, harassment, bias or other misconduct. Click here for more information. Once you access the page, use code FFAEvent.

3. Download the guidebook app.
Find your way around #FFA22 with our guidebook app! Check out everything you can see and do at convention with this free app!

4. Know the entry policies
All convention participants are subject to airport-style searches at venue entries. This applies to all convention venues, including Indiana Convention Center, Lucas Oil Stadium, Gainbridge Fieldhouse and Indiana State Fairgrounds. For safety reasons, prohibited items include but are not limited to:
• Knives (all types and all sizes)
• Weapons of any kind, including chains, knives, firearms and spiked jewelry
• Alcohol, drugs, illegal substances or any paraphernalia associated with drug use
• Laser pens/pointers of any type
• Outside food or drinks
• Oversized bags
• Pepper spray/Mace
• Any other item deemed unacceptable by event/building management

5. Know the venue cashless policies.
All the concession stands at Gainbridge Fieldhouse, Indiana Convention Center, Indiana State Fairgrounds and Luas Oil Stadium are cashless. However, cash can be used at the FFA Shopping Mall and FFA Mega Store, located in Halls B-E at the Indiana Convention Center.

6. Park safely.
FFA works closely with the Indianapolis Metropolitan Police Department to promote safety and reduce preventable crimes. Help by following these guidelines:
• Always lock car or bus doors.
• Do not leave valuables visible inside cars or buses.
• A trunk is the safest place for valuables.
• Do not store an extra key under the car, fender, gas cap, etc.
• Only park in approved areas.

7. Use the established loading zones for buses.
Make sure to keep attendees safe by only using established loading zones for buses in Indianapolis:
• Indiana Convention Center: South curb lane of Maryland Street between Capitol Avenue and Meridian Street (one block west of ICC).
• Lucas Oil Stadium: West curb lane of Capitol Avenue from South Street to McCarty Street or east curb lane of Missouri Street from McCarty to South Street.
• FFA Concerts at Gainbridge Fieldhouse: Significant construction is ongoing around Gainbridge Fieldhouse. If you have purchased a bus parking spot, plan to walk to and from the concert from your bus. Other buses may drop off and pick up on South Street between Capitol Avenue and Pennsylvania.

8. Be a convention know-it-all.
The A to Z Guide is the best answer to your questions. Check it out in the mobile app or the convention website.

See the schedule here.

The 2023 National FFA Convention & Expo will take place Nov. 1-4, 2023.

Read More:

4 Ways FFA Shaped My Life for the Better

FFA Has-Been? No, Your Role Just Changes

12 Reasons Why We Need FFA More Than Ever

Ag Teachers: When Someone Believes in You

IMF Anticipates Global Inflation Will Peak in Late 2022

Tue, 11 Oct 2022 18:10:47 GMT

The International Monetary Fund forecasts a slowdown in global growth from 6.0% in 2021 to 3.2% in 2022 and 2.7% in 2023.

The global slowdown in 2022 is as projected in the July 2022 World Economic Outlook (WEO) update, while the forecast for 2023 is lower than projected by 0.2 percentage point. In the revised forecasts , 93% of countries received downgrades to their growth outlook.

More to Come

Aside from the global financial crisis and the peak of the Covid-19 pandemic, this is “the weakest growth profile since 2001,” the IMF said in its WEO published Tuesday morning.

“The worst is yet to come, and for many people 2023 will feel like a recession,” the report said, echoing warnings from the United Nations, the World Bank and many global CEOs.

Cause for Shift

The IMF noted three major events currently hindering growth: Russia’s invasion of Ukraine, the cost-of-living crisis and China’s economic slowdown. Together, they create a “volatile” period economically, geopolitically and ecologically.

More than a third of the global economy will see two consecutive quarters of negative growth, while the three largest economies — the United States, the European Union and China — will continue to slow, the report said.

Inflation Timeline

The IMF anticipates global inflation will peak in late 2022, increasing from 4.7% in 2021 to 8.8%, and that it will “remain elevated for longer than previously expected.”

Global inflation will likely decrease to 6.5% in 2023 and to 4.1% by 2024, according to the IMF forecast. The agency noted the tightening of monetary policy across the world to combat inflation and the “powerful appreciation” of the U.S. dollar against other currencies.

Red Flags

The IMF also highlighted that the risk of monetary, fiscal, or financial policy “miscalibration” had “risen sharply,” while the world economy “remains historically fragile” and financial markets are “showing signs of stress.”

In an interview with the Financial Times , Pierre Olivier Gourinchas, the IMF’s chief economist, said there was as much as a 15% chance global growth could fall below 1% eventually. This level would likely meet the threshold of a recession and would be “very, very painful for a lot of people.”

“We are not in a crisis yet, but things are really not looking good,” he said, adding that 2023 would be the “darkest hour” for the global economy.

The energy crisis is also weighing heavily on the world’s economies, particularly in Europe, and it “is not a transitory shock,” according to IMF’s report. “The geopolitical re-alignment of energy supplies in the wake of Russia’s war against Ukraine is broad and permanent,” the report added. “Winter 2022 will be challenging for Europe, but winter 2023 will likely be worse,” the IMF said.

The U.S. economy is expected to stagnate over the four quarters of 2022 and then maintain a sluggish 1% growth rate in 2023.

More on inflation:

Could Food Prices Ease in 2023? USDA’s New Consumer Food Price Forecast Has a Bit of Good News
Is Out-of-Control Inflation on the Horizon? Watch These Two Indicators
John Phipps: The Inflation We Expect

Here’s How Farmers Are Using USDA's $121 Million for Rural Development

Wed, 05 Oct 2022 18:44:12 GMT

USDA announced $121 million in “critical infrastructure” improvements through 289 projects on Wednesday, by way of the Inflation Reduction Act.

The funds will be dispersed to rural America, where “communities deserve investments that will strengthen all of our resilience,” according to Dr. Jewel Bronaugh, USDA deputy secretary.

“The Biden-Harris Administration has created a roadmap for how we can…expand access to renewable energy infrastructure,” Bronaugh said. “The investments we’re announcing today…will strengthen our energy security, create good-paying jobs and save Americans money on their energy costs.”

Where will ag see these funds?

While this rural development funding comes with a hefty price tag, where will it have an impact?

Here are examples of how the funds will be used in your area:

(Farm Journal)

To read the full list of projects , recipients and grants, and learn how to apply for funding like this, visit USDA.gov .

More on ag funding:
$100 Million Grant to Renewable Fuels Will Bring ‘New Wave of Growth’
Will the IRA’s Biofuel Provisions Ease Pump Prices? Sen. Ernst Isn’t Convinced

California Approves Plan to 'Move State Away From Oil' by 2035

Wed, 05 Oct 2022 18:44:12 GMT

Noting an urgent need to address climate change while cutting back on air pollution, the California Air Resources Board (CARB) voted Thursday to require all new cars and light trucks sold by 2035 to be zero-emission vehicles.

Lauren Sanchez, Gov. Gavin Newsom’s climate advisor, called it “a huge day not only for California but the entire world.” The mission, she said: “Move the state away from oil.”

Liane Randolph, chairwoman of the CARB, said the rule is one of the state’s most important efforts yet to clean the air and will lead to a 50% reduction in pollution from cars and light trucks by 2040.

The EV Scoop

Congress gave California permission to set its own rules under the Federal Air Quality Act of 1966 when the state was combatting the toxic yellow-brown smog that hung over Los Angeles.

The Trump administration in 2019 revoked California’s authority to regulate its own air quality, but the Biden administration restored that authority earlier this year.

Already, 15 states , including Colorado and Minnesota, as well as states on the Northeast and West Coast, followed California’s previous zero-emission vehicle regulations.

New York, Oregon, Washington state and Rhode Island officials they plan to adopt California’s rule through their own rule-making process, while New Jersey and Maryland officials said they were reviewing California’s decision. Public comment in Washington state on a similar plan will start Sept. 7.

More than 16% of new cars sold in California in 2022 were zero-emissions vehicles, the state said , up from 12.41% in 2021 and 7.78% in 2020.

What’s Next for America and Electric Vehicles

The rules won’t be immediate and will go into effect in 2026. The mandate forces automakers to phase out gasoline and diesel cars, sport utility vehicles, minivans and pickup trucks in favor of cleaner versions powered by batteries or fuel cells. If automakers do not comply, they could be charged $20,000 per noncomplying car, CARB said.

What if consumers don’t go along? One option: People could still buy internal combustion cars from another state without the mandate. And it will still be legal to buy and sell used fossil-fuel cars and light trucks.

Under the new rules, 35% of new cars must be zero emission by 2026, 51% by 2028, 68% by 2030, and 100% by 2035. The quotas also would allow 20% of zero-emission cars sold to be plug-in hybrids.

The mandate doesn’t cover all of highway transportation: Heavy trucks that burn diesel fuel will have 10 extra years before they are banned. A proposed zero-emission mandate for heavy trucks wouldn’t hit 100% until 2045.

Also, up to 20% of a carmaker’s sales can be plug-in hybrids, which have both electric motors and gas engines, and still count as zero-emission, as long as the minimum battery range is 50 miles or more.

As part of the California mandate, the state will require specific levels of warranty protection for EV batteries and related components.

Notable Hurdles for EV’s

One of them is that an electric car still costs far more than an equivalent gasoline car. According to Kelley Blue Book, the average EV sold for $66,000 in July, compared with $48,000 for the average international-combustion vehicle.

CARB officials pointed to studies that show savings in fuel and maintenance can make an EV a better financial deal over time, and that prices would continue to drop.

Charging is another hurdle. While homeowners can install their own EV charger in a garage, most people who live in apartment buildings and condos don’t have that option. California plans to require multifamily housing landlords to provide some way to charge electric cars.

John Bozzella, president and CEO of the Alliance for Automotive Innovation, which represents major automakers, said California’s mandate would be “extremely challenging” for automakers to meet.

“Whether or not these requirements are realistic or achievable is directly linked to external factors like inflation, charging and fuel infrastructure, supply chains, labor, critical mineral availability and pricing, and the ongoing semiconductor shortage,” Bozzella said in a statement. “These are complex, intertwined and global issues.”

State officials said the rule is critical to meeting to state’s goal to transition to 100% renewable energy by 2045, and that resulting emissions reductions would lead to fewer cardiopulmonary deaths and emergency visits for asthma and other illnesses.

Ag Industry Responds

While environmental groups were largely very complimentary, some said the CARB rule didn’t go far enough. The National Corn Growers Assn. (NCGA) released the following statement:

“As NCGA told regulators during the rulemaking process, constraining the vision of a zero-emission future prevents the state from tapping into the immediate and affordable environmental solutions that come from replacing more gasoline with low-carbon and low-cost ethanol, in both current and new vehicles, including new plug-in hybrids,” NCGA wrote. “Ethanol is on a path to net zero emissions, and NCGA will continue to work with and urge California to use all the tools in its toolbox as it addresses climate change and cuts harmful tailpipe emissions. As recent University of California, Riverside, vehicle testing for CARB found, higher ethanol blends, like E15, significantly reduced most criteria air pollutants compared to standard 10% ethanol blends.”

What You Need to Know About Biden's Hunger Conference

Mon, 03 Oct 2022 17:59:24 GMT

More than four in 10 American have high blood pressure, which is directly correlated to the leading causes of death for Americans: heart disease and stroke. That’s according to new research from National Center for Health Statistics.

To reduce such diet-related diseases and end hunger by 2030, President Biden on Tuesday announced a 44-page package, National Strategy on Hunger, Nutrition, and Health , that will focus on five primary pillars:

1. Improve food access and affordability
2. Integrate nutrition and health
3. Empower all consumers to make and have access to healthy choices
4. Support physical activity for all
5. Enhance nutrition and food security research

Speaking on the plan at a hunger conference on Wednesday, Biden outlined the details of the strategy.

Nationwide Free Lunch

Biden wants to lower income thresholds to make nine million more children in high-poverty communities eligible for free school meals, a measure Biden called “a major first step toward free meals for each student.”

A pandemic-era program that provided free breakfast and lunch to all schoolchildren expired this school year. Republicans voted against Democratic efforts to include universal free school meals in this week’s stopgap government funding bill and have expressed skepticism about other programs to expand free school meals.

The President also urged making permanent the Summer EBT program, which gives low-income families money to buy groceries during the summer when children don’t have access to school meals.

Opportunities for More Food & Nutrition Funding Ahead

Senate Agriculture Committee Chair Debbie Stabenow (D-Mich.) and House Appropriations Committee Chair Rosa DeLauro (D-Ct.) pointed out two upcoming opportunities to improve food and nutrition policy — the farm bill reauthorization and the annual appropriations process.

Republicans will inevitably propose cuts to SNAP in the 2023 farm bill, as they did in the 2014 and 2018 bills, said Stabenow.

“I say, we’re not going to cut food stamps,” said Stabenow. “We need your help, because No. 1 is to not go backwards on public nutrition.”

But not losing ground isn’t enough, she said, “we have to build and build and build.”

“The farm bill is every five years. Friends, appropriations is every single year,” added DeLauro.

She urged Biden to put the Child Tax Credit expansion in the 2024 budget “so that we can deal with it and move on.”

Another $8 Billion

Officials announced they had secured $8 billion in commitments from public and private entities toward helping provide more food and better nutrition in coming years. The commitments underscore the Biden administration’s reliance on the private sector to meet its goals of ending hunger by 2030 and prompting healthier eating habits.

Efforts were launched to make healthy food more affordable and accessible, provide more options for physical activity, and bolster research on food and nutrition.

Worker Rights

Fair wages, collective bargaining rights. Biden reiterated his support for fair wages and collective bargaining rights for the workers who “grow, produce, and process our food.” As part of its anti-hunger strategy, the administration proposed raising the federal minimum wage to $15 an hour.

Rep. Jim McGovern (D-Mass.), the House Rules Committee chair who spearheaded the effort for the conference, praised the Biden administration for making hunger and nutrition a national priority. But he also acknowledged that the conference was only a beginning

“We need to leave here with an assignment for tomorrow. And for next week and the week after that,” said McGovern. “This is an opportunity. We can’t blow it.”

He called for a bipartisan effort to “make history” and “transform this country where 35 million people don’t know where their next meal is going to come from into a country where hunger is illegal or doesn’t exist at all.”

Hunger Strategy Opposition

Some Republicans criticized the confab. Rep. GT Thompson (R-Pa.), Republican leader of the House Ag Committee, called it “nothing more than a political stunt.”

Rep. Virginia Foxx (R-N.C.), senior Republican on the House Education Committee, which oversees child nutrition, said the administration had prioritized liberal activist groups instead of a diverse range of stakeholders to “set up this conference to be forgotten before it even started.”

More information about the strategy will likely be announced in coming months.

Additional articles on the strategy:

How Biden’s 5 Pillars of Hunger Strategy Will Show Up on Your Operation
Want To End Hunger? Animal Protein May Be the Answer

USDA Is Now Sending Out $500 Million to Fight High Fertilizer Prices in the U.S.

Tue, 27 Sep 2022 19:56:30 GMT

USDA unveiled additional plans to help boost domestic fertilizer production including $500 million in grants. In an announcement Monday, the plan aims to bring more of the critical input sourcing stateside, and therefore reduce the risk of a series of black swans that have flown into the fertilizer market in the past two years.

Farmers are currently looking at fertilizer prices that are trending higher for fall, aiding economic concerns and anxiety about potential farm income for 2023. However, some in the fertilizer industry warn adding fertilizer production in the U.S. will take time and could ultimately lead to higher fertilizer costs.

Tuesday’s announcement marks the second time for USDA to unveil a plan on this issue this year. In March, USDA announced plans to make $250 million available toward pushing more American-made fertilizer. At the time, USDA said it intended to use funds from the Commodity Credit Corporation (CCC) to develop a grant program to provide ‘gap’ financing to bring new, independent domestic production capacity on-line.

Details of USDA’s Fertilizer Production Expansion Program

Six months later, that plan is now coming to fruition. On Tuesday, USDA announced details around what it’s calling the Fertilizer Production Expansion Program , saying the funding is double what the agency originally set aside with $ 500 million now available in grants.

“Under the leadership of President Biden and Vice President Harris, USDA is creating a resilient, secure and sustainable economy, and this support to provide domestic, independent choices for fertilizer supplies is part of that effort,” says U.S. Agriculture Secretary Tom Vilsack. “USDA believes in the growth of innovative, local businesses owned and shared by people who can best serve their own unique community’s needs, fill gaps, and build opportunities. Recent supply chain disruptions have shown just how critical it is to invest in the agricultural supply chain here at home. The Fertilizer Production Expansion Program is one example of many Biden-Harris Administration initiatives to bring production and jobs back to the United States, promote competition and support American goods and services.”

The Biden administration says the grants are geared toward independent producers who are working toward sustainable American fertilizer production for farmers.

The maximum grant amount is $100 million
Thee minimum is $1 million.
Each grant term is five years.

The White House says the funds can be used to help expand manufacturing of fertilizer as well as alternatives, through:

Independent, and outside the orbit of dominant fertilizer suppliers. Because the program’s goal is to increase competition, market share restrictions apply.
Made in America. Products must be produced by companies operating in the U.S. or its territories, to create good-paying jobs at home, and reduce the reliance on potentially unstable, inconsistent foreign supplies.
Innovative. Techniques will improve fertilizer production methods and efficient-use technologies to jumpstart the next generation of fertilizers and nutrient alternatives.
Sustainable. Ideally, products will reduce the greenhouse gas impact of transportation, production and use through renewable energy sources, feedstocks and formulations, incentivizing greater precision in fertilizer use.
Farmer-focused. Like other Commodity Credit Corporation investments, a driving factor is providing support and opportunities for U.S. agricultural commodity producers.

The Fertilizer Institute President and CEO Corey Rosenbusch said: “The U.S. fertilizer industry consists of large international corporations, small regional producers, and everything in between. They all play a critical role in suppling farmers with the nutrients required to grow the food that feeds the world. While a nitrogen plant can cost between $2-$4 billion to construct, anything that helps strengthen domestic fertilizer production is a win for the industry, growers, and consumers.”

What’s Causing High Fertilizer Prices Today?

The U.S. currently ranks in the top three for fertilizer imports. Most of those products, or components of fertilizer, come from countries including China, Russia, Canada and Morocco. Supply chain issues led to soaring fertilizer prices last fall. Those prices crept even higher ahead of spring planting this year. It wasn’t just price that was a concern, but also availability of fertilizer.

A year ago, n ews that about black swans hitting the fertilizer industry was a trending story . From the impacts of Hurricane Ida to political and climate issues entangled in a cobweb of production slowdowns in Europe and China, the Black Swan events continued to stack up.

A year later, the issues are still prevalent as farmers face rising fertilizer prices again. From corn prices, transportation issues to even energy prices, there are several factors driving the resurgence of fertilizer prices leading into fall.

Nitrogen prices averted a major disaster two weeks ago when rail companies and rail unions reached a tentative agreement and avoided a possible strike. Even with the positive news, this chart from StoneX Group shows prices are climbing back toward the highs producers saw last spring.

Concerns About Farm Income in 2023

USDA Chief economist Seth Meyer spoke at the Ag Outlook Forum in Kansas City this week. He described the financial outlook for farmers in 2023 as one that comes with more anxiety, and the main reason is over concerns commodity prices won’t rise at the same rate as input prices. One of those pricey inputs causing concern is the increasing price of fertilizer.

“I think for U.S. producers, it’s all going to be about price,” Meyer told AgWeb. “You’ll be able to get what you want, but it’s going to be about price. I’s not going to be at the price you want to pay. I think that part of what we’re seeing on costs for this crop that folks are harvesting now was some folks bought ahead and didn’t face the full brunt of those rising fertilizer prices.”

Meyer says he doesn’t see fertilizer prices trending back down toward pre-pandemic levels in the short-run.

How High Are Fertilizer Prices Today?

Just how high are nitrogen prices today? One ag retailer in Missouri told AgWeb anhydrous prices for falls needs were:

$800 per ton during the fall of 2021
$1500 during the spring of 2022
Farmers booking fall anhydrous today are paying $1325

A retailer located in Iowa also reported a fertilizer price increase this fall. The location reported:

Prices started around $700 during the fall of 2021 and jumped to $1500 by the end of last fall
Prices jumped to $1,700 during the spring of 2022
Farmers looking to book for fall of 2022 saw prices that started at $1000 per ton, but now it’s more than $1400 per ton

“Historically we might have thought fertilizer is primarily an energy cost input,” says Brad Lubben, agricultural economist with the University of Nebraska-Lincoln. “Energy drives the cost of fertilizer, but so does output so does the price of corn. So do the supply shocks overseas in terms of foreign suppliers. So do the current energy shocks in Europe, which leaves all kinds of questions about the winter natural gas supply and availability, as well as transportation and everything else that we see going on here with the challenges we’re seeing today. Volatility is something producers are going to have to manage.”

Can the Push to Domesticate Fertilizer Production Solve the Issues?

While the short-term price issues are causing concern for farmers today, economists also say moving production domestically will take time. The reason fertilizer production moved to countries like China, Russia and others was due to a lower cost of energy, as well as not as many regulatory hurdles to jump through.

As the Biden administration works toward adding fertilizer capacity in the future, there will be 45-day application window for applicants to receive priority for projects that increase the availability of fertilizer (nitrogen, phosphate or potash) and nutrient alternatives for agricultural producers to use in crop years 2023 or 2024. An additional 45 days will be available for an extended application window to receive applications for financial assistance.

How Biden’s 5 Pillars of Hunger Strategy Will Show Up on Your Operation

Tue, 27 Sep 2022 19:32:50 GMT

More than four in 10 American have high blood pressure, which is directly correlated to the leading causes of death for Americans: heart disease and stroke. That’s according to new research from National Center for Health Statistics.

To reduce such diet-related diseases and end hunger by 2030, President Biden on Tuesday announced a package, National Strategy on Hunger, Nutrition, and Health , that he says creates a “pathway” to:

• Free school meals for all students
• Expand Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP)
• Develop front-of-package nutrition labels
• Implement a Medicare test of “food as medicine”

More News to Come

The 44-page strategy was released ahead of Wednesday’s White House hunger conference where Biden and USDA Secretary Tom Vilsack, among others, will speak.

According to the White House release, the national strategy will focus on five primary pillars:

1. Improve food access and affordability
2. Integrate nutrition and health
3. Empower all consumers to make and have access to healthy choices
4. Support physical activity for all
5. Enhance nutrition and food security research

Some of the White House proposals will require congressional action, such as expanding school nutrition programs. Others can be undertaken at the agency level, such as FDA development of front-of-package labels and guidelines to reduce sodium and, potentially, added sugars in foods.

However, the Biden administration says the federal government cannot meet this 2030 goal alone.

In the strategy outline, the White House called upon the private sector to also implement the five pillars.

How This Announcement Will Impact Ag

Some ways this health legislation might be implemented on your operation come in the form of:

• A congressional push for $15 per hour minimum wage
• New policies that increase worker power and rights to bargain, including, “workers who grow, produce, and process our food…”
• EPA and USDA’s yet to be announced “whole-of government” strategy for reducing food loss and waste.
• USDA NIFA’s research to determine the “links between human health and soil health” from a soil management practice standpoint.

The Biden administration says this strategy was developed based on “robust” stakeholder engagement through web forums and listening sessions, which were open to agriculture groups.

But this isn’t the first strategy to address health and hunger.

A Page from History Books

The National Strategy on Hunger, Nutrition, and Health comes more than 50 years after the White House hosted an event on food insecurity.

The last food insecurity conference at the White House was in the Nixon administration. The 1969 hunger conference and its many recommendations influenced U.S. nutrition policy for the rest of the century.

Key accomplishments include expansion of the food stamp and school lunch programs, authorization of WIC and creation of the dietary guidelines for Americans.

“The last conference was a critical moment in our history, and I have no doubt we’ll look back on this year’s conference with the same historic lens,” Vilsack says.

More on policy:

White House to Host First Hunger, Nutrition and Health Address in More Than 50 Years
EPA: Glyphosate Can Still be Used Through 2026
5 Conservation Needs to be Met in Farm Bill 2023

House Passes Farm Workforce Modernization Act

Fri, 23 Sep 2022 21:27:48 GMT

The House of Representatives on March 18 passed H.R. 1603, the Farm Workforce Modernization Act by a 247-174 vote.

Backed by numerous agricultural groups, the legislation was introduced Rep. Newhouse, R-Wash, with Rep. Zoe Lofgren, D-Calif,, to ensure a legal and reliable workforce for American agriculture, according to a news release.

“In the first two and a half months of 2021, illegal immigration has reached a crisis point. In order to maintain the rule of law and keep criminals out of our country, Congress must continue working to enhance our border security,” Newhouse said in the release. “One way to enhance our border security is the Farm Workforce Modernization Act, which is the bipartisan, targeted labor solution our agriculture industry needs. By creating a viable and desperately-needed agriculture labor program, we are removing opportunities to work illegally in the United States, strengthening our border security, and ensuring we have a reliable, legal workforce for our farms and ranches for years to come.”

Lofgren said in the release that the legislation will stabilize the agricultural workforce and protect the future of U.S. farms and the food supply.

“The Farm Workforce Modernization Act accomplishes this by providing a path to legal status for farmworkers and updating and streamlining the H-2A temporary worker visa program while ensuring fair wages and working conditions for all workers,” Lofgren said in the release. “I look forward to working with Senators on both sides of the aisle to get this bipartisan legislation that serves the best interests of our country to the President’s desk.”

The National Potato Council praised the House action on the legislation.

“Yesterday’s bipartisan passage of the Farm Workforce Modernization Act sends a strong message that the time to address agricultural labor reform is now,” RJ Andrus, National Potato Council’s vice president of legislative affairs, said in a news release. “Last Congress, NPC and our partners throughout the agricultural industry were disheartened when the Senate was unable to move forward on ag labor reform. We are now focused on keeping the up momentum and are grateful that Senators Crapo and Bennet have committed to working together to introduce a bill in the Senate to ensure growers and workers are provided long-term certainty, security, and competitiveness.”

Bill sponsors say the legislation will:

Establish a program for agricultural workers in the United States to earn legal status through continued agricultural employment and contribution to the U.S. agricultural economy;
Reform the H-2A program to provide more flexibility for employers, while ensuring critical protections for workers. The bill focuses on modifications to make the program more responsive and user-friendly for employers and provides access to the program for industries with year-round labor needs; and
Establish mandatory, nationwide E-Verify system for all agricultural employment with a structured phase-in and guaranteed due process for authorized workers who are incorrectly rejected by the system.

Railroad Strike Days Away? Here’s What it Means for Agriculture

Thu, 22 Sep 2022 02:56:19 GMT

Nearly 60,000 union rail workers could go on strike starting Friday. The looming strike is despite the majority of unions reaching tentative agreement with the rail companies, but the unions not on board are essential to the operation of the nation’s rail system.

The impending rail strike has been a possibility for months and would be the first in nearly three decades. Despite the Presidential Executive Board (PEB) releasing recommendations as part of the ongoing collective bargaining process, the cooling off period will end Friday, opening the door for a strike to take place.

“As we’re sitting here, nine unions and the railroads have come to agreement on terms. A ninth one is tentative, but it looks like it’s very promising,” says Ken Erikson with S&P Global Commodity Insights. “That leaves us with three unions that need to finish negotiations with the railroads. And those three are the largest ones, representing roughly 50 to 60,000 employees. So, three outstanding, where the clock is ticking very fast. And there’s a lot of concern about you know, what are the final details is going to be the pays understood and a few other things. But it’s a matter about requirements of working on the job and such like that.”

As first reported on Monday , rail companies were already preparing for a possible strike and putting a halt to grain shipments as early as today, according to National Grain and Feed Association (NGFA).

“The railroads don’t want to have the cars and equipment out in areas of the country where they can’t protect them very well,” says Max Fisher, NGFA chief economist. “So, they’re taking steps to mitigate damages. For our members, they’re looking at essentially not receiving their grain on time and not being able to then ship out the finished products such as ethanol, flour, things of that nature.”

The rhetoric between unions and the railroads is also heating up ahead of Friday’s deadline. While the remaining unions say the negotiating process is still ongoing and they are committed to reaching a deal, rail companies say the some are creating false narratives about pay raises and paid time off. One group even accused the nation’s largest railroads of trying to further abuse shippers and gridlock the supply chain in order to extort a contract settlement from rail unions.

“Our Unions remain at the bargaining table and have given the rail carriers a proposal that we would be willing to submit to our members for ratification, but it is the rail carriers that refuse to reach an acceptable agreement,” Jeremy Ferguson, president of SMART Transportation Division and Dennis Pierce, president of Brotherhood Locomotive Engineers and Trainmen said in joint statement. In fact, it was abundantly clear from our negotiations over the past few days that the railroads show no intentions of reaching an agreement with our Unions, but they cannot legally lock out our members until the end of the cooling-off period. Instead, they are locking out their customers beginning on Monday and further harming the supply chain in an effort to provoke congressional action.”

The Association of American Railroads (AAR) claims coverage of the strike in recent days has included false information, specifically that laborers get no sick days or paid time off.

“Moreover, the matters at hand were dealt with summarily by the Biden administration’s hand-picked arbitrators through the ‘Presidential Emergency Board.’ A reminder that the White House has stood by those recommendations, which have served as the basis for nine tentative agreements with labor unions and endorsed by broad swaths of the U.S. economy. The majority of these industry groups have called on Congress to enact the framework by law should parties fail to reach agreements by midnight Thursday,” AAR said in a statement.

What’s the likelihood a strike happens? There are a lot of moving parts, but Erikson says a last-minute deal is still possible.

“I can see where you may get one, maybe two unions that can come together on terms and I think he could get to a point where you have a high percentage over 50%, maybe closer to 60%, if not more, where this is an opportunity to make it known just how important labor is to the railroads, how important labor is to the country, and that there are important things that the unions want to demonstrate that they have as having proper wages, proper respect and proper benefits,” says Erikson. “It’s just maybe an attention getter to make a point.”

The Biden administration on Monday urged railroads and unions to reach a deal to avoid a shutdown of the rail system, saying it would pose “an unacceptable outcome” to the U.S. economy.

Tuesday’s release of inflation data showed core inflation was up not down and CPI did not go down as much as analysts predicted. Erikson points out even if a strike lasts one or two days, it will have a severe economic impact, but rising wages will also be passed on to those not at the negotiating table.

“Today’s inflation numbers are terrible,” says Erikson. “And this would be making the point that look, we got to preserve these wages somehow. And that could be backfire, because if you get higher wages, and someone’s going to pay that freight, and that’s the consumer for farmers, its basis, it’s just weaken basis for the consumer and retail goods, it’s higher prices somewhere along the line. And that may be the adverse effect to this is that Be careful what you read what you request, it may come back to hurt everybody and that’s the risk that’s being run here.”

Agricultural Impact of Railroad Strike

NGFA says some processors will be forced to temporarily shut down, no matter how long a rail strike lasts, and Erikson says it will be weeks to get the system back up and running, a system already facing severe backlogs. .

Farm Journal Washington Correspondent Jim Wiesemeyer is also looking into the impact it could have on farmers. In his daily report, Wiesemeyer focused on the possible rail strike, breaking down the impact by commodity:

Cotton: “There is a lot of old crop that needs to ship via rail,” said Jordan Lea, senior trader at Deca Global LLC, a textile supplier and former president of the American Cotton Shippers Association. “The whole logistical system is still too fragile from backlogs and Covid. We do not need this hiccup right now.”

Livestock and poultry: “A shutdown would quickly cause additional problems and force producers to make difficult decisions regarding the viability of their animals,” said NGFA.

Biofuels: “Processing and biofuels plants may have to scale back production due to an inability to both move in commodities for processing and move out finished products for consumption,” the NGFA noted.

Food industry: “Failure to finalize an agreement before the Sept. 16 deadline will hurt U.S. consumers and imperil the availability, affordability and accessibility of everyday essential products,” the Consumer Brands Association, which represents manufacturers of food, beverage, household and personal care products, said in a letter (link) to President Biden last week.

Congress Can Step In

While Congress can intervene, NGFA says that is a last resort, as that could become complicated. Yet, NGFA was on Capitol Hill this week talking to legislators about the importance of stepping in if a strike does take place.

“This is a political football, you know, and I’m sure that Congress really doesn’t want to be in the middle of this, no doubt, they want the two parties to come to an agreement,” says Fisher. “we’re trying to convince the rail carriers and the rail labor for the last two unions to come to an agreement, we don’t want to have to depend on Congress to solve this. That’s kind of our, our last, last line of defense, so to speak.”

Shipping Container Rates Down 63%, But We're a Long Way From Back to Normal Operations

Thu, 22 Sep 2022 02:56:19 GMT

Of the many supply chain headaches brought on by the COVID-19 pandemic in 2020, shipping container backlogs were arguably one of the worst.

A record 109 bottlenecked ships were documented by the Marine Exchange of Southern California & Vessel Traffic Service Los Angeles and Long Beach in January 2022.

As of last Monday, that ship count sat at eight—an all-time low.

L.A. Port officials are now asking for ships that diverted around the congestion to return.

But has the bottleneck issue been resolved, or moved somewhere else? The East Coast may now be carrying the burden.

East and South Coast Ports Status

Josh Brazil, vice president of supply chain insights at Project44, says the Port of Savannah, the Gulf Coast Port of Houston and the Port Authority of New York and New Jersey have taken on the west coast’s port congestion due to two reasons:

1. Strong demand
2. Potential for a labor strike

“There’s a lot to lose in the west, but the ports have mitigated a bit of that risk by pushing shipments towards the East Coast,” Brazil says. “When you combine that slight shift with some of the ground factors like the Port of Savannah’s closed births due to ongoing construction, or overall lack of capacity to hand incoming ships, it’s puts at least Savannah, Houston and New York on their heels.”

USDA announced pop-up ports along the Pacific coastline in February to ease port overflow. Brazil says the pop-up sites did work to ease port congestion and may be necessary in the East and South because “it’s not only the infrastructure, but also the port space” that’s available.

Not only have port congestion issues evolved, so have container shipment costs.

Container Costs Plummet

During the COVID-19 pandemic, container shipping companies were notorious for coming into U.S. ports with goods and leaving with empty containers, namely, in the highly profitable trade lanes like the Trans-Pacific trade lane from China to the U.S.

Numerous congressmen felt the empty container trend wouldn’t stop until legislation was put into place, but policy was already on its way when Sen. Amy Klobuchar introduced the Ocean Shipping Reform Act in December 2021.

The bill passed through Congress on June 13, 2022, putting an end to empty shippers while driving the extremely high cost of containers down.

“From China to the U.S. West Coast, if we compare the beginning of January 2022 to now, the container cost rate has come down 63 percent,” says Brazil. “It used to be about $14,000 and now sits at $5,250. On the East Coast, it’s come down 42 percent from a high of $16,000 in January to $9215 today.”

U.S. shipment and supply chain issues don’t stop short of coastlines. A U.S. rail union strike looked to hit the tracks this week, breaking the supply chain just before the busy harvest hour. However, some hope came this month.

Container Ships Run into Rail Roadblocks

In early September, a tentative labor deal was reached by three of the 12 rail unions and large U.S. freight railroads. These unions represent more than 15,000 workers, or 11% of the 140,000 strong rail workforces.

Class one railroads and its worker struck a five-year labor contract that will provide:

• Wage increases
• Expanded health coverage

Mike Steenhoek, Soy Transportation Coalition executive director, says his team hopes the new deal will push rail labor full steam ahead.

“Our hope is that, moving forward, this will provide some real momentum for the other remaining unions to come to an agreement,” he says. “Ultimately we want to make sure that rail service is improving, not taking a step back.”

As for the remaining 9 rail unions and large freight railroads, an agreement wasn’t struck until Thursday —only a day before the potential strike on September 16.

The deal, impacting 115,000 rail workers, will provide:

• A 24% wage increase for the remaining life of the contract—2020 to 2024
• Provide improved working conditions

The last widespread rail strike occurred in the 1990s and only lasted one -to-two days. The effects, however, went on much longer. Industry professionals say the case will likely be the same in 2022.

Rail Labor Trouble Ahead

Max Fischer, National Grain and Feed Association’s chief economist, says the settlement won’t solder the rail supply chain back together over night.

“I think we’ll still have problems with winter,” he says. “It may be a year before we start to have more normal rail service.”

According to the Association of American Railroads, any nationwide rail service interruption would “dramatically” disrupt economic output, costing an estimated $2 billion each day.

More on shipping:
Rail Strike Averted: Tentative Agreement Reached Between Railroads and Unions Comes on the Eve of Harvest
Will The USDA Pop-Up Site Solve The Clogged Ports Issue?
Ocean Shipping Reform Bill on its Way to the President

How to Recognize the Warning Signs of Stress and Deal with Hard Times in Farming

Thu, 22 Sep 2022 00:54:03 GMT

From epidemic illnesses impacting pigs to falling commodity prices to increasing farm debt load, many factors cause stress among pig farmers today. Find out how to recognize the warning signs of stress, practical ways to deal with tough times and 3 tips to get your health on track in Farm Journal’s PORK’s new e-book, “ Your Guide to Mental Health .”

As National Mental Health Awareness Month draws to a close, check out these 10 articles that tackle mental health and suicide awareness to help reduce the stigma so many experience.

10. Alleviate Stress on the Farm with These 5 Steps

Life on the farm is unpredictable at best – especially when many factors impacting your day are out of your control. Here’s why it is important to be proactive when it comes to farm management.

9. Why Mental Health Matters on the Farm

A little bit better is a little bit better, said Ted Matthews, director of Minnesota Rural Mental Health. Matthews dispels myths about mental health, counseling and anxiety on the farm.

8. Break the Stigma: It Starts With You and Me

What would it look like for suicide to be a topic we don’t avert our eyes to? I think it starts with understanding and a willingness to break the stigma.

7. By Her Own Hand: A Farm Girl’s Miraculous Journey from Death to Hope

Maddison Caldwell woke up on Dec. 19, 2019, with a plan for the ultimate act of finality. Death by her own hand. For those who know Maddison, it’s difficult to understand why she attempted suicide. But a young girl with limited vision could see no other options. Here’s her story.

6. Breaking Taboo: Parent’s Worst Nightmare, Child’s Near-Fatal Decision

Early mornings and late nights on the farm have provided Todd and Kim Caldwell with the unique opportunity to spend quality time with their children. The extra work required to raise and show livestock keeps the family of five busy together. That’s why Kim Caldwell was caught completely off guard when her oldest daughter, Maddison, attempted suicide on Dec. 19, 2019. “We felt like we were spending all this time with our kids and yet we were missing something with Maddison,” Kim says.

5. Toxic Grit: Is Our Greatest Strength Our Greatest Weakness on the Farm?

“Suck it up buttercup.” This familiar phrase is one many farmers and ranchers learn early in life: be tough, self-reliant and resilient. Although those aren’t bad traits, Shannon Ferrell, an ag law specialist at Oklahoma State University, said that line of thinking can cause us to become inward-facing and discourages us to talk about our feelings.

4. Connect With Farmers In-Person On Mental Health

When it comes to mental health information, a new study shows farmers want to receive information face-to-face from their innermost circle. Limited access to mental health care in rural areas often makes it challenging for farmers coping with stress and uncertainty due to economic and environmental conditions.

3. Simple, Daily Habits to Help Manage Stress

Health is the most important asset for any operation, says Sean Brotherson, an Extension specialist at North Dakota State University. He shares a few ways to prioritize your health, especially in times of crisis.

2. 7 Tips to Help You In Tough Times

Here are some ideas, tips and strategies that can help you turn lemon days into lemonade.

1. When Your Trampoline Breaks: Avoid Isolation

Trampolines are like your friends during a crisis, says Sean Brotherson, an Extension family life specialist at North Dakota State University. “If you’ve ever bounced on a trampoline, you know it will catch you and bounce you back up. That’s what supportive relationships are like in our lives,” Brotherson says.

Click here to download the eBook.

You can find online resources on how to prevent suicide from the Centers for Disease Control website or by calling the U.S. National Suicide Prevention Lifeline at (800) 273-8255.

How USDA's $2.8 Billion Climate-Smart Investment Might Impact Your Operation

Tue, 20 Sep 2022 06:20:07 GMT

After months of talking about climate-smart agriculture and working with a handful of funding recipients, USDA is now investing up to $2.8 billion in 70 projects under the first Partnerships for Climate-Smart Commodities funding pool. The projects, which seek funds ranging from $5 million to $100 million, include everything from flood control to building carbon markets.

After sifting through 450 proposals, USDA’s Partnerships for Climate-Smart Commodities funding recipients include:

Government entities
Farmer coops
Conservation, energy and environmental groups
Universities
Small businesses
Large corporations

Trust In Food™ , the sustainability division of Farm Journal , is among the USDA Partnerships for Climate-Smart Commodities project recipients for its coalition-driven Connected Ag Project.

The Impact of USDA Climate Funding

According to Tom Vilsack, USDA secretary, these efforts will “increase the competitive advantage of U.S. agriculture both domestically and internationally,” while building wealth in rural America.

“Through today’s announcement of initial selections for the Partnerships for Climate-Smart Commodities, USDA is delivering on our promise to build and expand these market opportunities for American agriculture and be global leaders in climate-smart agricultural production,” he says.

USDA’s press release says, from the funding, farmers can expect:

1. Technical and financial assistance to implement voluntary climate-smart practices.

2. Methods to quantify, monitor, report and verify greenhouse gas benefits.

3. New markets and promotion in climate-smart commodities.

With this new funding in place, USDA anticipates the projects will:

Provide hundreds of expanded markets and revenue streams for producers and commodities ranging from traditional corn to specialty crops.
Reach more than 50,000 farms, encompassing 20 to 25 million acres of working land engaged in climate-smart production practices such as cover crops, no-till and nutrient management.
Sequester upward of 50 million metric tons of carbon dioxide equivalent over the lives of the projects. This is equivalent to removing more than 10 million gasoline-powered passenger vehicles from the road for one year.
Engage more than 50 universities to help advance projects, especially with outreach and monitoring, measurement, reporting and verification.

Proposals for the 70 projects include plans to match 50% of the federal investment with nonfederal funds.

Who Will Provide the Funds?

The Partnerships for Climate-Smart Commodities funding will be pulled from USDA’s Commodity Credit Corporation (CCC) funds in two pools. USDA says the projects announced today are part of the first funding pool.

The CCC has been tapped numerous times in the past year, such as a March announcement to put $250 million toward American-made fertilizer to give U.S. farmers more choices in the marketplace. Some, including Jim Wiesemeyer, Pro Farmer policy analyst, feel the CCC is more of an “ATM machine for aggies” than a tool used to stabilize, support and protect farm income and prices, as it was originally created for.

When asked about why USDA chose to pull more funds from the CCC, Vilsack said it was a matter of timing.

“We track expenditures from the CCC on a monthly basis. We are within a couple of weeks from the end of the fiscal year and there are significant resources left in the CCC account,” he says. “We won’t require any action from Congress to replenish the CCC. We will be able to adequately fund this initiative, as well as some nutrition announcements made today, and still have billions of dollars left in reserve in the account through the remainder of the fiscal year.”

The Agency says the second funding pool will be announced later this year.

How Funds Will Be Used

In the first pool of funding, numerous projects were selected with funding ceilings from $70 to $95 million. According to USDA, some of the individual projects that will span several states include:

1. Climate SMART (Scaling Mechanisms for Agriculture’s Regenerative Transformation), led by Truterra, LLC

This project, which will reach across 28 states, aims to catalyze a self-sustaining, market-based network to broaden farmer access, scale adoption of climate-smart practices, and sustainably produce grain and dairy commodities with verified and quantified climate benefits.

2. The Climate-Smart Agriculture Innovative Finance Initiative, led by Field to Market

This project, covering more than 30 states, will use innovative finance mechanisms to accelerate climate-smart practice uptake by farmers, leveraging private sector demand to strengthen markets for climate-smart commodities. Partners will provide technical assistance and additional financial incentives to an array of producers across commodities, tying climate-smart practices to commodity purchases and creating a scalable model for private sector investment.

3. Connected Ag Climate-Smart Commodities Pilot Project, led by Farm Journal, Inc.

This project will expand climate-smart markets for many agricultural commodities and provide direct payments, technical assistance and data management strategies to row crop, beef, dairy, pork and other producers to adopt climate-smart practices and strategies.

4. Scaling Methane Emissions Reductions and Soil Carbon Sequestration, led by the Dairy Farmers of America, Inc.

Through this project, Dairy Farmers of America (DFA) climate-smart pilots will directly connect on-farm greenhouse gas reductions with the low-carbon dairy market. DFA will use its cooperative business model to ensure the collective financial benefits are captured at the farm, creating a compelling opportunity to establish a powerful self-sustaining circular economy model benefiting U.S. agriculture.

5. The Soil Inventory Project Partnership for Impact and Demand, led by The Meridian Institute

This project will build climate-smart markets, streamline field data collection and combine sample results with modeling to make impact quantifications accurate and locally specific but also scalable. Targeted farms produce value-added and direct-to-consumer specialty crops as well as the 19 most common row crops in the U.S.

Details on the other projects can be found here .

More on ag policy:

Biden Administration Presses Unions, Railroads to Avoid Shutdown

More than Hangry: What’s Really at Stake in Global Food Insecurity?

10 Reasons Why Drivers Need to Stay Alert in Rural Areas

Fri, 12 Aug 2022 16:54:51 GMT

Human error accounts for 94% to 96% of all auto accidents, according to a study administered by the National Highway Transportation Safety Administration. As harvest approaches, it’s more important than ever for drivers to remain alert in rural areas where farm equipment is present.

Tawnie Larson, coordinator of the Rollover Protection Structure (ROPS) program at Kansas State University, said accidents between vehicles and farm machinery are more likely to happen during planting and harvesting time because more equipment is likely to be on the roads.

“Most accidents are preventable,” Larson said in a release.

Not only can collisions between farm equipment and passenger vehicles result in pricey repairs, but in a worst case, also result in loss of life.

“Many accidents include passenger vehicles rear-ending machinery as it travels on the roadways or misjudging the width of equipment,” Larson said in a release. “Farmers do not like to drive machinery on the roads, but sometimes it is required to get equipment from one field to another.

Here are 10 reminders to help prevent accidents.
1. Be alert and avoid distractions.
2. Watch ahead for large equipment and trucks entering and exiting the road.
3. Slow down as soon as you spot a piece of equipment on the road.
4. Be aware of the orange triangular slow-moving vehicle (SMV) signs.
5. Never pass farm equipment while in no-passing zones.
6. Use turn signals so the equipment operator knows that you are passing.
7. Watch for hand signals and other ways a farmer or rancher may try to communicate with you.
8. Give tractors and combines plenty of room to operate. Expect them to take wide turns and even travel into both lanes to properly turn.
9. Don’t pull in front of farm equipment and suddenly slow down. The tractor may be towing heavy machinery, making quick stopping impossible.
10. Be aware of slow moving vehicles. Expect farm equipment and tractors to travel at a much slower rate – between 5-15 miles per hour.

Those who operate farm equipment should make sure lights and flashers are working properly; know the height of the vehicle they’re driving; take care when traveling on public roads; and communicate with fellow motorists using whatever signals possible, Larson said.

Read More:

Why One Commercial Pork Operation Decided to Get in the Show Ring

PQA Plus Version 5.0 Emphasizes Farmers’ Commitment to Produce the Best Pork

Community Rallies to Support 4-H Family, Buys Pig for $102,000

Inflation squeezing food banks and people in need

Tue, 26 Jul 2022 14:21:38 GMT

High food costs are putting an unprecedented squeeze on consumers with limited income and the food banks that serve them.

U.S. food inflation numbers in June reflected grocery prices that were 12% above year-ago levels, the largest yearly jump since April 1979.

Demand for food assistance is way up this year, too, says Lisa Hamler-Fugitt, executive director of the Ohio Association of Food Banks, Columbus.

“I’ve been doing this work for nearly 30 years now and I’ve been through economic cycles, and I’ve been through some pretty horrid weather conditions,” she said. “But I’ve never seen anything like this, ever.”

In the months of April and May this year, the 12 Ohio food banks and related charities served 1.77 million people, up 26% compared with the 1.41 million served for the same period a year ago.

”I have to believe, based on what I’m seeing, that [assistance numbers] are likely to go up once I get those June numbers,” Hamler-Fugitt said in mid-July. “I would not be at all surprised if that doesn’t jump by another 5% to 10%.”

Part of the reason for the expected increase in need is because April and May numbers were reflective of a period when students were still in school and receiving school meals.

“Once schools recess for the summer months, we have traditionally seen our numbers go up,” she said. What’s more, Hamler-Fugitt said, 30 of Ohio’s 88 counties do not offer the Summer Food Service Program for children, a program that serves free healthy meals and snacks to children and teens in low-income areas.

“We have seen a marked increase in the number of households with children that are turning to us,” she said.

Trying times for seniors

Another “frightening” trend, she said, is an increase in the number of consumers over 60 turning to food banks.

“I just had a food bank respond that, in their latest distribution, they were quite concerned about the number of seniors over the age of 80,” she said. Hamler-Fugitt said seniors are the “canary in the coal mine” for food banks.

“When we see seniors showing up in these kinds of numbers, that gives us pause, because seniors tend to be the last people that join the line because they don’t understand the nature of how our food distribution works,” she said, adding that seniors also tell food banks they try every coping strategy that they can before turning to food banks because they don’t want to take food away from children.

Many seniors in need have low fixed incomes, she said, without pensions or well-funded 401(k) retirement accounts or other supplemental sources of retirement income. Instead, they are attempting to live on Social Security, which Hamler-Fugitt estimated may provide 40% or less of basic needs.

Despite low incomes, many are not participating in other programs such as the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program or the Commodity Supplemental Food Program.

About half of the people who turn to Ohio food banks are not poor enough to qualify for SNAP because they are slightly over income requirements, she said. Seniors in need also often lack a support network, such as family, children or grandchildren.

Without the ability to feed themselves well, seniors may face an inevitable and unwanted path to nursing homes, an outcome which can cost the state of Ohio $65,000 per year per individual, Hamler-Fugitt said.

The lack of senior support in communities is critical and food is the No. 1 issue, she said. Affordable housing, high utility and fuel costs, and costly prescription medication also weigh on older Americans.

“Seniors were already making tradeoffs between food and medicine and food and other basic needs,” she said, and escalating inflation in 2022 has made those choices even tougher.

Hamler-Fugitt said the West Ohio Food Bank, serving 10 rural areas, recently saw 80% of the 200 seniors who came to the food bank for assistance were first-time recipients of food assistance.

A big drop in the donation bucket

Food banks are hurting from a big drop in USDA-sourced food boxes , she said.

Beyond government programs that support food banks, Hamler-Fugitt said industry donations are down because of inflated input costs and markets.

“I know our vegetable growers, and they not going to overproduce when they have got this kind of increase in their input costs,” she said. “When producers have strong markets because of supply chain issues, then [they] are going to sell to those first-line markets first.”

Growers donate when they have a surplus, but lately, that hasn’t happened as often. Donations from farmers, growers and commodity producers, retailers, and other community sources have previously accounted for between 50% to 60% of all the food distributed by food banks, but Hamler-Fugitt said that percentage is declining rapidly.

Ohio food banks benefit from a state-operated agriculture clearance program that can reimburse growers a portion of their picking, packing, processing or production costs. That program yields about 40 million pounds of food a year at about 20 cents per pound.

“That’s a drop in the bucket compared to the production costs and, as the costs go up, we recognize that, while we’ve been very fortunate out of this partnership, our growers have higher input costs,” Hamler-Fugitt said.

Ohio food banks will need to spend more money to get the same amount of product.

“Unfortunately, we are seeing a decline in monetary donations and overall governmental support,” she said, noting that USDA is having a more difficult time purchasing commodities this year because of elevated markets and stiffer competition for goods.

With government programs supplying less volume of commodities, food banks have had to fall back on privately purchased food, Hamler-Fugitt said.

“Food banks have been spending every dime they raise, trying to keep enough food on their shelves since the pandemic began, and we are now in year three,” she said. “We are now seeing the trends in the number of people turning to us as we did at the height of that pandemic.”

Another big concern of those providing emergency food assistance is the significant loss of the number of pounds of food they are receiving.

“We’ll lighten the bag, we’ll lighten the box and ration what food we have,” she said “We, as food banks, can engage in the same activities, initiatives and coping strategies [of] the people that we serve.”

A ‘beyond-brittle’ situation

Hamler-Fugitt said food banks have lived off the generosity and “dark side” of the food industry for a long time.

“We recognize that we were the direct beneficiaries of overproduction of products that were close to code date, surpluses or not Grade A product,” she said. “We recognize that and we were extremely appreciative, but those rules don’t apply anymore.”

The supply chain, now often described as brittle in post-pandemic times, has gone “beyond brittle” to completely broken down, she added.

“Nothing is better; nothing has recovered to pre-pandemic levels as it relates to the supply chain,” she said. “We, in America, have taken for granted for far too long our abundant, relatively inexpensive sources of the variety of food.”

Because of the lack of affordability now, many people are telling food banks that the only time they would be able to access fresh fruit is through emergency feeding networks.

Food banks raise money to purchase food from growers, wholesalers or retailers, but the cost of food purchases has soared, she said.

“Last year, on average in Ohio, we spent 42 cents per pound for purchases statewide; last quarter, the cost was $1.04 a pound,” Hamler-Fugitt said. “I’m having to raise more money just to keep pace with the amount of food that I was able to purchase before.”

Fresh focus

Hamler-Fugitt said Ohio food banks are moving whatever dollars they get to source fresh fruits, vegetables and perishable protein items, such as eggs, cheese and dairy, because those items are less expensive per pound than processed foods.

“Our 12 food banks and 3,600 member charities have been working for decades to move to a minimum of 50% fresh and 50% shelf-stable or frozen,” she said. “We are trying to build up more capacity, more refrigeration units, more reefer units, more point-in-time distributions, so we can get highly perishable food into communities and onto the plates of low-income Ohioans as quickly as possible.”

Looking ahead, Hamler-Fugitt said she hopes growers and emergency food providers can come together and really make an impact on the upcoming farm bill.

“There’s a lot of challenges in front of all of us, and if we don’t have the money to be able to adapt quickly, to especially climate change and extreme weather conditions, and the vulnerability of input costs in these variables, hunger is going to continue to grow in the U.S. and we will quickly become a second-world country.”

No Decision From President Biden on Lifting China Tariffs...Yet

Wed, 13 Jul 2022 20:32:31 GMT

President Biden says he has not made a decision yet on whether to lift some of the $370 billion of tariffs imposed on Chinese imports by the Trump Administration. Biden has been talking about rolling those duties back for weeks as a way to curb inflation while opening a new exclusion process for firms to win additional relief. However, there are mixed opinions on whether or not the cuts will take place, whether China will reciprocate, and what the impact will be on agriculture.

Farm Journal Analyst Jim Wiesemeyer tells us he is not optimistic about tariff relief materializing. And if it does, he says it won’t have much direct effect on ag imports into China.

“On the initial ones, I don’t see much because U.S. Trade Representative Katherine Tai wants some leverage,” he says. “Although China has clearly shown that it is not going to move them. So initially I don’t see it will be part of the $10 billion.”

One caveat is some targeted duties could be dropped which would lower farmers’ costs such as the 25% tax on semiconductors and other parts that go into farm machinery. Plus, crop protection product ingredients.

Frayne Olson, NDSU crop marketing economist says, “Some of the basic chemistry we import from China, we add in the specialized ingredients here and they’re sold in the U.S. So, this reduction or potential elimination of import tariffs may have an impact on the input side, the cost of inputs coming in.”

And while tariffs on soybeans imported from China were already under some import exclusions, officials with the American Soybean Association say any further movement on the 301 and 232 tariffs will be helpful.

Steve Censky, American Soybean Association CEO says, “Even though the tariff China has right now for a lot of these state-owned enterprises has been suspended on soy imports, they’re still hanging out there and it has a bit of a chilling effect.” So, Censky is optimistic about the impact at least a partial reduction of levies will have on the ag industry.

Wiesemeyer says the tariff reduction isn’t likely to lower inflation and is an admission that tariffs don’t work. Additionally, the White House has also been weighing a new investigation into Chinese subsidies and their damage to the American economy as a way to pressure Beijing on trade.

Meet the Farm Kid Who Became the Youngest Green Beret on a Daring U.S. Military Mission

Wed, 13 Jul 2022 20:27:47 GMT

As a young Missouri farm kid, Terry Buckler knew he was about to be drafted for the war in Vietnam, so he went ahead and volunteered. Soon he found himself at Fort Leonard Wood, Mo.

“They put us all in a big room and brought in this special forces sergeant who was looking for volunteers for special forces,” Buckler says. “I didn’t know a lot about it, but I knew if I was going to Vietnam, I want to go with the best, and they are the best. So, I stuck my paw up and volunteered for the Green Beret .”
Buckler says the training is tough and the number who make it through is small.

“The old song that says, ‘One hundred men will test today, but only three win the Green Beret’ is pretty accurate,” Buckler says. “We jumped in into our training and there was about 60 or 70 of us. Only 40 graduated out of three classes.”

Terry Buckler’s story is this edition of the Farming the Countryside with Andrew McCrea :

While Buckler became a Green Beret, he was not initially sent to Vietnam. Operations in the country were winding down. When he finally did make the trip across the Pacific, his role was far different than almost any American who had previously fought in the country.

“I was probably the deepest and the youngest behind enemy lines in the Vietnam War,” Buckler says.

In 1970, along with 56 other Green Berets, Buckler went 300 miles behind enemy lines into North Vietnam to rescue 60 to 70 Americans at the Son Tay prisoner of war camp . Odds of survival were 50-50.
Buckler volunteered for the mission, but even after selection, he knew very little about the task at hand.

“We didn’t know what we were going to be doing,” he says. “We had trained for three months for this down at Eglin Air Force Base. We knew we were doing some type of rescue, but we didn’t know where, when or who.”

While in the U.S., the soldiers had trained for this mission without knowing where it was located. The group was transported to Southeast Asia and dropped off for three days at a CIA compound.

“We had over 170 rehearsals,” Buckler says. “The CIA and made a mockup of the compound, which was very accurate. We would go in and we weren’t actually training and just study the terrain where we were at. So, when we hit the ground, we would already have our idea where we’re at and where we’re headed.”

The soldiers set off for Son Tay.

“Our orders were taking no prisoners,” Buckler says. “We had three choppers that took us in. They estimated we had to be in control of the guards within a minute. There were three guard towers, and we took the guard towers out on the way in.”

As part of a two-man team, Buckler had to get to the camp communication building as quickly as they could.

“Just as we had got to that building, I heard on my headset, ‘No items.’ Items is the code word for POWs, so they did another search, making sure that no man was left behind,” he says.

Unfortunately, the POW camp’s 65 American captives had been moved to a different location four months prior.

“The good thing about the mission, was we proved that the United States could get into the back door of Hanoi — get in and get out and not lose any men,” Buckler says.

While the raid didn’t achieve its mission, it is still revered as a military success .

“Every raid since has been modeled after the Son Tay raid,” Buckler says. “The only major differences of the raids today versus the raid we did is the technology they have today is tremendous compared to what we had. We used World War two ski goggles to keep the sand out of our eyes when the chopper landed.”

The planning, the execution and the training that went into the raid all was superb, he says.

“Today when they do a raid on anybody, they take some of the information that they learned in Son Tay and apply it to their mission,” he says.

Buckler wrote a book about his experience: Who Will Go: Into the Son Tay POW Camp

Hiring Employees? 7 Tips to Make Applicants Want to Work For Your Farm

Mon, 30 May 2022 13:00:00 GMT

It is a job seeker’s market. As you seek and interview potential employees, realize applicants either feel they’ve been treated with respect or treated poorly. There is no in between.

“Regardless of whether you make an offer of employment, how you treat job applicants matters because the impressions formed of your organization based on these early interactions help determine your true employment brand,” says Mel Kleiman, president of Humetrics , a human resource consulting firm.

To this end, Kleiman suggests developing a “Code of Conduct” to guide your interactions with job applicants. His framework includes:

Respect: We will treat all job applicants with the respect and courtesy they deserve.
Confidentiality: We will not share any of the information job applicants provide with anyone who is not directly involved in the hiring process.
Communications: We will promptly acknowledge the receipt of all applications and will keep applicants informed of our decisions as soon as they are made.
Accuracy: We will accurately portray the job, both its challenges and opportunities, so applicants can make a well-informed decision.
Professionalism: We will explain how our hiring system works and apply the same hiring standards to every applicant.
Compliance: We will adhere to all federal, state, and local laws and regulations as they relate to the recruiting and hiring process.
Hiring Standards: We will not only strive to hire the best person for the job; we will strive to ensure the job is right for the person.

Read More

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