Smaller U.S. Cattle Herd Squeezing Meatpacker Profits

Dan Beef, Cattle, Economy, Marketing

America’s beef cow herd hasn’t been this small since 1962. Drought and the high cost of feed forced producers to cut their herd sizes instead of keeping animals for breeding. Livestock producers who fatten cattle suddenly have leverage over meatpackers as they negotiate cattle prices with organizations like Tyson Foods, JBS, and Cargill. U.S. News says meat processors are assessing …

Ag Exports in 2021 Generate Billions in Economic Activity

Dan Economy, Exports/Imports, This Land of Ours, USDA-ERS

How much do ag exports contribute to the nation’s economic activity? That’s coming up on This Land of Ours. A new USDA report says exports constitute a significant market for American farm and food products and send ripples of activity through the nation’s economy. The USDA Economic Research Service (ERS) says America’s agricultural exports, valued at $177.3 billion in 2021, …

Some Food Prices Rise in April

Dan Economy, Field Crops, Fruits, Specialty Crops, This Land of Ours, Vegetables

Some food prices are creeping up again. That’s coming up on This Land of Ours. The United Nations Food and Agriculture Organization reports that food prices rose in April for the first time in a year. The organization says the increases stem from higher sugar, meat, and rice prices. The Food Price Index, which tracks the international prices of commonly-traded …

Farm Sector Real Estate Debt Hits Record High

Dan Economy, USDA-ERS

New data from USDA’s Economic Research Service shows farm sector debt tied to real estate is expected to be at a record high of $375.9 billion in 2023. Farm sector real estate debt has been increasing continuously since 2009 and is expected to reach an amount that is 87.5 percent higher in 2023 compared with 2009 in inflation-adjusted dollars. Real …

Ag Economy Barometer: Farmer Sentiment Improves

Dan Agri-Business, Economy

Farmer sentiment improved modestly in April as the Purdue University-CME Group Ag Economy Barometer reversed a two-month decline, up six points to 123. The Current Conditions Index rose three points to 129, while the Index of Future Expectations rose seven points to 120. More producers expect prime interest rates to either hold steady or possibly decline during the next 12 …

Preparing For Another Interest Rate Hike

Dan Agri-Business, Economy

Wall Street is preparing for another interest rate hike from the Fed. Mark Oppold has more details. Sponsored ContentFlorida Cattle Enhancement Board Plays Major Role In Applied Beef Cattle ResearchOctober 17, 2025FCEB Recurring Funding Provides Opportunity for Longer Term Research ProjectsOctober 10, 2025Florida Cattle Enhancement Board Advances Forage ResearchOctober 3, 2025

Additional Assistance for Farm Loan Borrowers

Dan Agri-Business, Economy, Funding, This Land of Ours, USDA-FSA

There’s more assistance on the way for some farm loan borrowers. That’s coming up on This Land of Ours. The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) Farm Service Agency (FSA) announced, on May 1, 2023 (see below News Release), that nearly $130 million in additional, automatic financial assistance has been obligated for qualifying farm loan program borrowers who are facing financial …

World Bank: Commodity Prices to Drop Through 2024

Dan Agri-Business, Commodities, Economy, Field Crops, This Land of Ours

Look for a drop in commodity prices through next year. That’s coming up on This Land of Ours. Global commodity prices are expected to drop this year at the fastest clip since the beginning of COVID-19. A World Bank report says that clouds the prospective growth of approximately two-thirds of the developing economies that depend on exports. The Commodity Markets …

Grain Futures Seeing Lower Prices

Dan Agri-Business, Beef, Cattle, Commodities, Corn, Economy, Field Crops, Marketing, Soybeans, Trade, Wheat

As of late, the grain trade has been nothing to get excited about. Mark Oppold says it’s almost like this year’s crop is already in the bin. Sponsored ContentFlorida Cattle Enhancement Board Plays Major Role In Applied Beef Cattle ResearchOctober 17, 2025FCEB Recurring Funding Provides Opportunity for Longer Term Research ProjectsOctober 10, 2025Florida Cattle Enhancement Board Advances Forage ResearchOctober 3, …

PLC Discussed During a Farm Bill Listening Session

Dan Economy, Farm Bill, Field Crops, Legislative, Peanuts

The Price Loss Coverage (PLC) program was one issue brought up during a recent Farm Bill listening session. Tyron Spearman has more details. Sponsored ContentFlorida Cattle Enhancement Board Plays Major Role In Applied Beef Cattle ResearchOctober 17, 2025FCEB Recurring Funding Provides Opportunity for Longer Term Research ProjectsOctober 10, 2025Florida Cattle Enhancement Board Advances Forage ResearchOctober 3, 2025