Low water levels continue to lead to shipping problems. That’s coming up on This Land of Ours. The Mississippi River has 27 U.S. Geological Survey streamflow gages reporting levels below the low water threshold category as of Thursday. A new record-low level was reported in Memphis, Tennessee, beating the previous record set in 1988. The low water levels are a …
Pumpkin Season in Full Swing
It’s pumpkin season around the nation, and they’re as popular as ever. That’s coming up on This Land of ours. It seems pumpkins are everywhere this time of year and most of those pumpkins make quite the trip to get to those stores, patches, and porches. The USDA’s Economic Research Service says about 40 percent of pumpkin acres are harvested …
Report Shows Rise in Plant-Based Meat Market, Some Health Concerns
A new report shows a rise in the plant-based meat market. That’s coming up on This Land of Ours. Allied Market Research published a report on the plant-based meat market that found the rise in the vegetarian population & flexitarian diet and the ability of plant-based meat products to imitate animal-based meat products drive the growth of the global plant-based meat market. …
New Report Shows Decade of Trends in School Meals
Tracking ten years of changes to produce in school lunches. That’s coming up on This Land of Ours. One USDA department tracked changes in school lunches for the last ten years and found that a 2012 change in school meal nutrition standards drove changes in the type of foods schools purchased. USDA’s Economic Research Service found that following the change …
New Zealand Plans to Tax Cow Methane
New Zealand is the Latest Country to Tax Cow Burps. That’s coming up on This Land of Ours. New Zealand farmers recently gathered in towns and cities across the country to protest against the government’s plan to tax “agricultural emissions.” Reuters says the government confirmed plans to price agricultural gases and biogenic methane, which it says come from cow and …
Microwavable Food More Popular
Easy prep meals return to the spotlight. That’s coming up on This Land of Ours. A new market report shows consumers are using more microwavable meals these days. The analysis shows a year-over-year growth of nearly five percent for 2021 with 33 percent of that growth coming from North America. In terms of money, the microwavable foods market share is expected …
New Study on Health Benefits of Pistachios
Another study supports the antioxidant benefits of a particular food. That’s coming up on This Land of Ours. Antioxidant-rich foods are regularly encouraged as part of a healthy lifestyle, and research suggests that a diet high in antioxidants may even help to reduce the risk of death. While certain fruits and vegetables are often thought of as high-antioxidant foods, a …
Hurricane Ian’s Impact on Honey Bees
Bees are vital to agriculture, and a recent major weather event had an impact on colonies. That’s coming up on This Land of Ours. Hurricane Ian was devastating in many ways, including the loss of human life and destruction, and now we’re learning more about its effect on honey bees. According to a report by the University of Florida, it’s not …
Researchers Developing Corn for Diverse Organic Systems
Researchers are working on a new type of corn. That’s coming up on This Land of Ours. Decades of corn breeding efforts emphasizing yield have contributed to modern hybrids with shallower and less complex root systems than their predecessors. Because the breeding and selection of most modern hybrids has taken place in environments with high nutrient concentrations, optimal weed control, …
Global Food Insecurity Increased in 2022
Global food insecurity is rising. That’s coming up on This Land of Ours. New research from USDA’s Economic Research Service announced Tuesday shows global food insecurity increased by nearly ten percent in fiscal year 2022. USDA’s International Food Security Assessment model estimates how food prices and incomes affect food demand and access in 77 low- and middle-income countries. Food security …