USDA: Meat and Dairy Production Lead Food Sector Sales

Dan Beef, Cattle, Dairy, Marketing, USDA-ERS

New data from USDA’s Economic Research Service (ERS) shows meat processing and dairy product manufacturing are the largest components of food sector sales. Food and beverage manufacturing plants transform raw food commodities into products for intermediate or final consumption by using labor, machinery, energy, and scientific knowledge. These plants accounted for nearly $267 billion or 16.8 percent of sales, shipment …

Number of U.S. Farms Continues to Decline

Dan Agri-Business, USDA-ERS

New data released this week by USDA’s Economic Research Service (ERS) shows the number of U.S. farms continues to decline. After peaking at 6.8 million farms in 1935, the number of U.S. farms and ranches fell sharply through the early 1970s. Researchers say the rapidly falling farm numbers in the mid-20th century reflect the growing productivity of agriculture, increased mechanization, …

Restaurant Landscape Changing in Rural America

Dan This Land of Ours, USDA-ERS

Restaurant options in rural America keep growing. That’s coming up on This Land of Ours. The food-away-from-home retail landscape continues to evolve. USDA’s Economic Research Service (ERS) recently examined the changing food-away-from-home landscape in nonmetropolitan counties between 1990 and 2019, with a focus on the most rural counties. As of 1990, full-service restaurants were the most common restaurant type, making …

Beginning Farm Operations Tend to be in the South and West

Dan This Land of Ours, USDA-ERS

There are two regions where new farmers are more concentrated. That’s coming up on This Land of Ours. Beginning farms tend to be more concentrated in Southern and Western States than in other areas of the United States, according to USDA’s Economic Research Service (ERS). Data published Monday by ERS shows that in some counties in California and Texas, the …

Is U.S. Losing Trade Competitiveness?

Dan Agri-Business, Exports/Imports, This Land of Ours, Trade, USDA-ERS

The U.S. remains the top exporter of a few commodities, but the competition is getting closer. That’s coming up on This Land of Ours. The USDA’s Economic Research Service (ERS) released a report on the competitiveness of U.S. exports, and it shows while we’re still top in some categories, the competition is getting hotter. The report says that export shares …

Meat Plants Employed Nearly 31% of U.S. Food Workers in 2021

Dan Agri-Business, Beef, Cattle, Livestock, Marketing, Pork, Poultry, Sheep-Goats, USDA-ERS

The latest federal data shows that in 2021, the U.S. food and beverage manufacturing sector employed 1.7 million people, or more than 1.1 percent of all U.S. nonfarm employment. Within the U.S. manufacturing sector, food and beverage manufacturing accounted for the largest share of employees, 15.4 percent. USDA’s Economic Research Service Monday announced the data, noting that these employees help …

Price of Chicken Wings Easing in Time for the Big Games

Dan Poultry, This Land of Ours, USDA-ERS

It’s a break for the piggy-bank just in time for the big games. That’s coming up on This Land of Ours. Retail prices for chicken wings have been trending lower in recent months and in time for national sporting events such as the upcoming Super Bowl and the college basketball championship tournaments. Previously, a combination of limited supplies and strong …

Study Shows Rotational Grazing Adoption Varies by Region

Dan Cattle, Pasture, This Land of Ours, USDA-ERS

A study sheds light on grazing practices around the nation. That’s coming up on This Land of Ours. Data published Monday by USDA’s Economic Research Service (ERS) shows rotational grazing adoption varies by region. Rotational grazing is a management practice in which livestock are cycled through multiple fenced grazing areas to manage forage production, forage quality, animal health, and environmental …