Interest Expense Ratio for Agriculture Stays Even with 20-year Average

Dan Agri-Business, Economy, USDA-ERS

USDA’s Economic Research Service reports the interest expense ratio of farms was 0.04 in 2020, remaining in line with the long-term trend and initial forecasts, despite the pandemic. The COVID-19 pandemic reduced demand for agricultural commodities. The interest expense ratio is calculated by dividing interest expenses by the sum of the value of production and Government payments for a given …

Farm Safety and Health Week Coming Up

Dan Agri-Business, This Land of Ours

Farm Safety Week is just around the corner. We’ll have this year’s theme coming up on This Land of Ours. National Farm Safety and Health Week is September 19-23. Agriculture is known as one of the most dangerous industries in America. The National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health says about 100 agricultural workers suffer a lost worktime injury every …

Peterson, Outlaw on Next Farm Bill

Dan Agri-Business, Farm Bill, Legislative

Speaking at an agricultural forum in Minnesota, Dr. Joe Outlaw of the Agricultural Food & Policy Center at Texas A&M University, and former House Agriculture Committee Chairman Collin Peterson, talked about the various factors that could affect the passage of a new farm bill by September of 2023, including the price tag. “My question to all the groups that I …

CFTC Seeks Ag Advisory Committee Nominations

Dan Agri-Business

Commodity Futures Trading Commission (CFTC) seeks nominations for the Agricultural Advisory Committee membership and public input on upcoming priorities. In a Federal Register notice, the CFTC made the request, with a deadline of September 7, 2022. Through public meetings, the committee advises the Commission on agricultural derivatives market regulatory issues and priorities important to producers, processors, consumers, and other stakeholders. …

Advocate for Ag During August

Dan Agri-Business, Legislative

The August congressional recess is a yearly break in the Washington schedules for elected officials to return to their districts. Tom Donnelly, Director of Grassroots Program Development, says August is the ideal time for farmers and ranchers to engage with senators and representatives about U.S. agriculture. “We hope that farmers and ranchers will take advantage of this time to schedule …

Farmer Sentiment Rises in July

Dan Agri-Business, Economy

The Purdue University/CME Group Ag Economy Barometer farmer sentiment index rose six points in July to a reading of 103. Producers were somewhat more optimistic about both their current and future economic conditions on their farms compared to June. Even though there was a slight increase in optimism, there’s still a lot of uncertainty in the agricultural economy. Key commodity …

Sugar Alliance Meeting Underway

Dan Agri-Business, Specialty Crops, Sugar

Leaders from the U.S. sugar industry are meeting in Colorado this week for the 37th annual International Sweetener Symposium.?The Symposium is an annual event hosted by the American Sugar Alliance. Dr. Rob Johansson, Director of Economics and Policy Analysis for the American Sugar Alliance, talks about what farm leaders and industry experts will be discussing. “We know that rising input …

2022 Swisher/Sunbelt Expo Southeastern Farmer of the Year State Winners Announced

Dan Agri-Business

The Sunbelt Ag Expo has announced the state winners for the 2022 Swisher/Sunbelt Ag Expo Southeastern Farmer of the Year. This year’s winners include:  Mark Byrd, Alabama Farmer of the Year Chris Sweat, Arkansas Farmer of the Year Jerry Dakin, Florida Farmer of the Year Scotty Raines, Georgia Farmer of the Year Wesley C. Parker, Kentucky Farmer of the Year Michael L. …

USDA Helps Schools and Childcare Providers Deal with Rising Food Costs

Dan Agri-Business, Economy, Education, This Land of Ours

Helping schools manage rising food costs. That’s coming up on This Land of Ours. The USDA announced an increase in funding to help schools continue to serve healthy meals this coming school year and provided financial relief for schools and childcare providers. The reimbursement schools will get for each meal served will increase by 68 cents per free or reduced-price …