(AFBF/WASHINGTON/November 15, 2023) — Gathering around the table for a Thanksgiving dinner won’t take as much of a toll on your pocketbook this year compared to 2022, but the meal still reflects historically high costs. The American Farm Bureau Federation’s (AFBF) 38th annual survey provides a snapshot of the average cost of this year’s classic holiday feast for 10, which …
Cattle Group Commends New Competition Initiative
The USDA released a package of rules and orders seeking to increase competition in the livestock industry. That package establishes a Chief Competition Officer at USDA’s Agricultural Marketing Service (AMS). This position will be hired as a career rather than a political appointment. The officer will help elevate and institutionalize competition-related concerns at USDA. After that announcement, U.S. Cattlemen’s Association …
USDA Unveils New Rules for Organic Livestock Producers
Certified organic livestock and poultry producers in the U.S. will soon have new production standards to follow. The USDA has unveiled new rules for organic livestock producers that establish clear, strong and consistent standards for organic livestock and poultry production. It levels the playing field for organic livestock farmers, ranchers and businesses and promotes fairer, more competitive markets for their products, …
FMMO Hearing Underway
Dairy experts and government officials are gathered in Carmel, Indiana where last week saw the beginning of hearings on USDA’s Federal Milk Marketing Order (FMMO). Dairy producers are making their case for changes to the pricing program. National Milk Producers Federation (NMPF) Senior Vice President of Membership Services and Strategic Initiatives, Chris Galen, discusses their modernization efforts. Galen notes there will be time …
Rodale Institute Applauds USDA Investments in Organic Farmers
The USDA gets a pat on the back for its investments in organic farming. That’s coming up on This Land of Ours. The Department of Agriculture (USDA) is expanding opportunities for organic farmers, a welcome investment, according to the Rodale Institute. USDA announced the expanded opportunities last week. Through the newly-established Organic Market Development Grant Program (OMDGP), USDA’s Agricultural Marketing …
New Grant Programs for Meat and Poultry Processing Expansion
The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) has announced the availability of up to $125 million through two new grant programs. They will create more options for meat and poultry farmers by investing in independent, local meat and poultry processing projects that increase competition and enhance the resiliency of the food supply chain. As Rod Bain reports, applications for the programs …
USDA Announces Plans for a Section 32 Purchase of American Lamb Products
Last week, the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) announced plans for a Section 32 purchase of American lamb products for distribution to various food nutrition assistance programs. The purchase was a request by the American Sheep Industry Association (ASI) and the National Lamb Feeders Association earlier this year. Support for the purchase also came from congressional delegations from several Western states in recent months. “We …
Thanksgiving Dinner Cost Up 20% per Farm Bureau Survey
(AFBF/WASHINGTON, November 16, 2022) — Spending time with family and friends at Thanksgiving remains important for many Americans and this year the cost of the meal is also top of mind. American Farm Bureau Federation’s (AFBF) 37th annual survey provides a snapshot of the average cost of this year’s classic Thanksgiving feast for 10, which is $64.05 or less than …
Mississippi River Grain Shipments Down 78 Percent
Drought continues to cause a major slowdown in shipping. That’s coming up on This Land of Ours. The USDA’s Agricultural Marketing Service (AMS) says the number of grain barges being unloaded in New Orleans during September and October dropped significantly. An AMS report says the number of barges is 20-30 percent lower than in recent years. The slowdown coincides with …
USDA to Conduct a Probe Study
The use of high-capacity dump carts during harvest has resulted in thoroughly mixed farmers’ stock peanuts when dumped into the semi-drying trailers in the field. Therefore, variability of official farmers’ stock grade factors is reduced, and the number of probes required to obtain a representative sample can be reduced. Thus, USDA has noted a new study will be conducted in …