In a recent story for Southeast AgNet and AgNet West, Sabrina Halvorson talked with a representative of the National Cattlemens Beef Association on why they’re against the Opportunities for Fairness in Farming Act. The OFF Act would make some changes to checkoff organizations. After that aired, Sabrina heard from a farmer and organization leader who is in favor of the …
Feds Feed Families Program Milestone
The Feds Feed Families Program reaches a food donation milestone. Gary Crawford has that coming up in today’s This Land of Ours report. “I wanted to come down from my office today, first of all, to thank everybody who’s participating in the campaign for a job well done,” said Agriculture Secretary Tom Vilsack. The campaign is the Feds Feed Families …
Battle over Tomato Suspension Agreement
Should the U.S. terminate the Tomato Suspension Agreement with Mexico? The agreement is intended to keep Mexico from flooding the U.S. market with underpriced tomatoes by suspending duties, however, some industry leaders say it’s not working, and the agreement needs to be terminated so Mexico can be held accountable. Others worry that terminating the agreement and making Mexico pay duties …
Conservation Reserve Program Pays Over $1.77 Billion
Nearly $2 Billion is given out for conservation efforts. That’s coming up on This Land of Ours. The USDA has issued over $1.77 billion this year to agricultural producers and landowners through its Conservation Reserve Program (CRP). The agency says the program is a critical piece of the Department’s efforts to support climate-smart agriculture and forestry on working lands. More …
Gasoline and Diesel Fuel Prices Decline After Volatile Week
The pain at the pump is getting a little lighter. That’s coming up on This Land of Ours. For the fourth consecutive week, the nation’s average price of gasoline dropped, falling 11.3 cents from a week ago to $3.55 per gallon. The national average is down 29.9 cents from a month ago and 30.9 cents per gallon lower than a …
USDA Organic Transition Program Celebrates First Year
The USDA’s Transition to Organic Partnership Program (TOPP) recently marked its first anniversary. It’s an investment of up to $100 million over five years in cooperative agreements with non-profit organizations that are partnering with others to provide technical assistance and support for transitioning and existing organic farmers. USDA Undersecretary Jenny Lester Moffitt says the program offers several benefits for growers. …
Generic Vs. Brand Names in Groceries
What’s in a name? That depends when it comes to groceries. That’s coming up on This Land of Ours. https://www.shutterstock.com/image-photo/couple-shopping-groceries-supermarket-1606526392Most consumers appear to prefer brand-name beverages over generic or store-brand beverages. That’s according to the September 2023 Consumer Food Insights Report. The Purdue University College of Agriculture report further indicates that consumers make this choice even when presented with a …
Economists Discuss Additional Revenue Streams in Agriculture
Top agricultural economists answer the question of what the upcoming possibilities for new revenue streams for farmers are. The question was posed during the recent Agri-Pulse Ag Outlook Forum. National Corn Growers Association (NCGA) Lead Economist, Krista Swanson said a new type of aviation fuel is one stream. “Our market development action team recently had a study done and as …
Food Price Inflation Easing Down
Food price inflation is easing down into so-called “normal” levels. Gary Crawford has more in today’s This Land of Ours report. The new Consumer Price Index (CPI) shows that during September, prices for all items in the economy rose two-tenths of 1 percent, putting the inflation rate 3.7 percent higher than this time a year ago. However, for food at …
AgNet Weekly: Tomato Suspension Agreement Pt 2
Should the U.S. terminate the tomato suspension agreement with Mexico? This agreement is intended to keep Mexico from flooding the U.S. market with underpriced tomatoes, however, some industry leaders say it’s not working, and the agreement needs to be terminated so Mexico can be held accountable. Others worry that terminating the agreement and making Mexico pay duties or fines for …