Producer sentiment improved sharply in December as the Purdue University-CME Group Ag Economy Barometer Index reading of 126 was 24 points higher than a month earlier. Although U.S. farmers were more positive regarding both the current situation and the future, the biggest improvement was in their assessment of current conditions. The Current Conditions Index reached 135, 37 points higher than …
United States and Taiwan to Hold Trade Negotiations
The United States and Taiwan will hold an in-person negotiating round for the U.S.-Taiwan Initiative on 21st-Century Trade in Taipei. The negotiations are under the American Institute in Taiwan and the Taipei Economic and Cultural Representative Office in the United States. The next round of talks is scheduled for January 14-17. The U.S. Trade Representative’s Office will lead the U.S. …
World’s First Agriculture-Focused Satellite Launches
The first of seven satellites for agriculture launched into space Tuesday by SpaceX. Built by Dragonfly Aerospace, the satellite is part of the Transporter-6 mission for customer EOS Data Analytics. The remaining six satellites of the constellation will be deployed over the next three years. The EOS Data Analytics project is the world’s first agriculture-focused satellite constellation providing the industry …
American Lamb Producers Looking Ahead to 2023 Trends
The “2023 Meat Trends to Watch Report” says understanding the overarching trends in American meat consumption can help keep meat in the mix. “There are challenges ahead for the lamb industry, but there are also opportunities ahead,” says Peter Camino, American Lamb Board Chair. “But the entire industry will need to make changes to improve our competitiveness and profitability.” The …
Baby Formula Imports Face Tariffs Again in 2023
Baby formula importers face changes again this year. That’s coming up on This Land of Ours. Baby formula imports into the U.S. will be subject to tariffs again this year as the exemptions implemented during a nationwide shortage are scheduled to expire. Reuters says the shortage began during supply chain issues brought on by COVID, and those issues began to …
U.S. Beef Exports to East Asia on a Record Pace
The USDA’s Foreign Agricultural Service (FAS) released a report titled “U.S. Beef Exports to East Asia on a Record Pace.” Despite economic uncertainties brought on by COVID, continued global supply chain challenges, and a competitive global beef market, American exports to East Asia were outstanding in the first half of 2022 in terms of value and volume. The report says, …
Problems with Insect Protein
Can insects really be the main source of animal protein in a healthy diet? That’s coming up on This Land of Ours. The use of insect protein is becoming more popular around the world, and some are saying it’s a sustainable primary source of animal protein. But now, the organization Doctors for Disaster Preparedness says that may not be so. …
Eggs Double in Price During 2022
Eggs are more expensive than they were in 2021. Marketplace says the Bureau of Labor Statistics reports the price of a dozen Grade A eggs jumped from $1.82 in 2021 to almost $3.60 in 2022. While part of the increase is due to the rising price of chicken feed, the real culprit is highly pathogenic avian influenza. It’s infected more …
Report Shows Price Increases for Different Food Types
How did prices increase for different types of food? That’s coming up on This Land of Ours. A new USDA report shows retail food prices increased 8.9 percent in the first seven months of this year. That increase is higher than the rate over the same period last year and 2020. All 13 food categories in the USDA report experienced …
New Year’s Resolutions for the Farm
It’s time to make those New Year’s resolutions, even for the farm. That’s coming up on This Land of Ours. The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) is encouraging farmers to make New Year’s resolutions for conservation on the farm. Ciji Taylor, USDA Public Affairs Specialist, gives some suggestions in an online article, including: When it comes to any resolution, making them …