Grilling season is underway, and the cost of the homemade cheeseburger is going up. That’s today’s This Land of Ours. Home-grilled cheeseburgers, a summer cookout staple, will cost consumers more this summer. USDA’s Economic Research Service says the ingredients for a home-prepared 1/4-pound cheeseburger totaled $2.07 per burger, with ground beef making up the largest cost at $1.20. This represents …
Consumer Confidence in Farmers is High
In a new survey conducted by the Alliance for Food and Farming (AFF), 76% of consumers said they have confidence in farmers to protect produce safety. Government agencies are also trusted by consumers, according to the survey. Despite media reports and public statements to the contrary, 78% percent of survey participants responded they were confident in regulatory systems in place …
New Biobased Product Program
A new program that promotes biobased products. That’s coming up on This Land of Ours. The USDA is accepting applications for a new pilot program created under President Biden’s Bipartisan Infrastructure Law that supports the development of biobased products. These products have lower carbon footprints and increase the use of renewable agricultural materials, which creates new revenue streams for farmers. …
Global Appetite for Pork
Increasing the global taste for pork. That’s today’s This Land of Ours. There’s a global appetite for U.S. pork, so National Pork Board uses Pork Checkoff funds to advance international product promotion along with the U.S. Meat Export Federation. The Pork Board’s Vice President of International Market Development Courtney Knupp says the strategy is two-fold. “First to differentiate U.S. pork …
Brewer’s Yeast to Cut Methane
A good use for leftover brewer’s yeast. That’s coming up on This Land of Ours. Brewer’s yeast used to make beer is typically discarded once it’s no longer needed. Sometimes, though, the leftover yeast is mixed into livestock feed as a source of protein and vitamins. Now, there may be even more reason to continue this practice, according to findings …
Cotton Acreage Up, Corn Acreage Down in Latest Report
The U.S. Department of Agriculture’s National Agricultural Statistics Service (NASS) released updated crop numbers on June 30. Cotton planted acreage is up 11% from last year. NASS estimated 89.9 million acres of corn planted in the United States for 2022, down 4% from last year, according to the Acreage report released today. Soybean area planted is estimated at 88.3 million …
Florida Attorney/Farmer Shares Thoughts on WOTUS
We continue our series on the Southeast Region WOTUS Roundtable, which was hosted by the North Carolina Farm Bureau. Kate English, who is a farmer and an attorney who is also a part of the Florida Farm Bureau, was one of the speakers. She said states like Florida already have similar water regulations. “In many instances, Clean Water Act regulations …
Bill Would Ban US Foes From Owning Farmland
Russia, China, North Korea, and Iran would be banned from owning U.S. agricultural land under legislation just advanced by a House panel. It was the second try for House appropriators after they failed last year to get the Senate to agree to a ban on foreign ownership of U.S. ag land for the key U.S. foes in the annual USDA …
Keep Kids Fed Act Passed in Both Chambers of Congress
A bill to help keep kids fed moves forward. That’s coming up on This Land of Ours. The House and Senate each passed the Keep Kids Fed Act this month, but the bill had to return to the House because the Senate version was slightly different. The Hagstrom Report says the House passed the Senate’s version of the bill that …
Rep. Thompson on Priorities for Agriculture, Climate
Priorities for agriculture and the climate. That’s coming up on This Land of Ours. The House Agriculture Committee recently discussed The Role of Climate Research in Agricultural Resiliency.” Ranking Member, Representative Glenn G.T. Thompson gave his four guiding principles on the matter. “Climate policies need to benefit producers, our farmers, our ranchers, and foresters primarily. Whatever we do when it …