farm bill

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 …

employed

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 …

big games

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 …

pasture

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 …

substantial

Substantial Consolidation in Retail Food Market Since 1990

Dan Agri-Business, This Land of Ours, USDA-ERS

There’s been substantial consolidation in the retail food market in the last thirty years. That’s coming up on This Land of Ours. The U.S. food retail sector experienced substantial consolidation over the last three decades, according to data from USDA’s Economic Research Service. Market concentration, as measured by the Herfindahl-Hirschman Index, is a measure of the extent to which market …

rural

Rural Job Growth Shifting to High-Skill Workers

Dan Agri-Business, Labor and Immigration, This Land of Ours, USDA-ERS

There’s a shift in rural jobs. That’s coming up on This Land of Ours. Over the last two decades, the strongest rural job gains were in smaller industries that tend to employ high-skill workers. USDA Economic Research Service (ERS) reports the highest growth was in the real estate industry. According to experts like CALC job placement services, also showing rapid …

farm share

Farm Share of U.S. Food Dollar Reached Historic Low in 2021

Dan Agri-Business, Economy, USDA-ERS

U.S. farm establishments received 14.5 cents per dollar spent on domestically produced food in 2021—a decrease of 1.0 cent from a revised 15.5 cents in 2020. The figure is the lowest recorded farm share value in nearly three decades, according to USDA’s Economic Research Service. The remaining portion of the food dollar—known as the marketing share—covers the costs of getting …

food

Disability Status Can Affect Food Security Among U.S. Households

Dan This Land of Ours, USDA-ERS

What households have a higher rate of food insecurity? That’s coming up on This Land of Ours. In 2021, households that included an adult with disabilities reported higher food insecurity rates than households with no adults with disabilities. USDA’s Economic Research Service reports that in 2021, for U.S. households that included an adult out of the labor force because of …

farm bill

SNAP Participation Varied Across States from 2019 to 2021

Dan This Land of Ours, USDA-ERS

A look at SNAP participation. That’s coming up on This Land of Ours. In fiscal year 2021, USDA’s Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program served an average of 41.5 million people monthly. USDA’s Economic Research Service Wednesday reported the 2021 figure is an increase of about 5.8 million per month compared with fiscal year 2019. SNAP participation increased nationwide during the COVID-19 …