meat prices

Soaring Meat Prices Boost Tyson Profits

Dan Beef, Economy

Rising meat prices helped Tyson Foods overcome COVID-related labor shortages at its plants. The top U.S. meatpacker reported a stronger-than-expected quarterly profit this week and forecast improving revenue for the year ahead. The Arkansas-based company reported a double-digit jump in sales and earnings in the fourth quarter of its fiscal year that ended on October 2. That includes a record …

rural

Almost Half of U.S. States Lost Rural Population in 2010-2020

Dan Economy, General, USDA-ERS

From 2010-2020, the USDA’s Economic Research Service says 24 states lost population in nonmetropolitan or rural areas. Sixteen of those states lost population overall or showed slow population growth of less than five percent. Data from the 2020 U.S. Census shows the U.S. population grew by 7.4 percent from 2010-2020, slower than the 9.7 percent growth from the previous decade. …

4-wheel-drive

October Ag Tractor and Combine Sales Stay Positive

Dan Economy

Overall unit sales of both ag tractors and combines continued their growth above an already-rapid pace set last year. The latest data from the Association of Equipment Manufacturers says U.S. total farm tractor sales climbed 4.8 percent in October compared to last year. U.S. self-propelled combine sales climbed 73 percent, the fourth month in a row of growth near or …

bankers

USDA-NRCS Providing Technical and Financial Assistance

Dan Economy, Technology, USDA-NRCS

USDA’s Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS) invites agricultural producers and private landowners to learn more about the various programs they offer. NRCS Chief Terry Cosby says through many of the programs they offer both technical and financial assistance. And NRCS accepts applications for its conservation programs year-round. To learn more, contact your local USDA Service Center, or go to the NRCS website.

infrastructure

Fried Touts Infrastructure Bill, DeSantis Raises Doubt

Dan Economy, Florida

We told you earlier this week the U.S. House of Representatives passed H.R. 3684, the Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act (IIJA). The package is designed to creating jobs by rebuilding our nation’s roads and bridges, and combatting the climate crisis. According to the News Service of Florida (NSF), a fact sheet from the White House shows Florida is in line to …

equipment dealers

Survey: 54% of Equipment Dealers Don’t Support Deere Strike

Dan Economy, Labor and Immigration

A majority of equipment dealers don’t support striking John Deere workers, according to a recent poll from Farm Equipment Magazine. The poll found roughly 54 percent of dealers indicated they do not support the strike, while 37 percent said they did, and 8.5 percent weren’t sure. Deere workers have rejected two tentative contract agreements since the strike began. UAW members …

CNH Industrial

CNH Industrial Announces agreement with Electric Tractor Company

Dan Economy, Technology

CNH Industrial announced last week an agreement with Monarch tractor, a U.S.-based company specializing in electric autonomous tractors. The license agreement foresees the launch of a scalable, modular electrification platform focusing on low horsepower tractors. The tractors will be developed across multiple product families in the coming years, using a process that continuously gathers farmers’ input to meet customer needs. …

alabama

There Is No Cow Tax in New Legislation

Dan Alabama, Cattle, Economy

There has been some misinformation floating around, especially on social media, that the new Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act passed by the House last Friday and by the Senate back in August, nor the reconciliation bill working its way through Congress, has language in it saying farmers will be taxed for each cow. This is simply false. And Alabama Cattlemen’s Association (ACA) Executive Vice President Erin …