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The U.S. pork industry is suffering from a shortage of workers. National Pork Producers Council manager of competition, labor, and tax issues Christina Banoub says the low unemployment rate is causing problems nationwide. “But in the top ten pork producing states the average is 2.9 percent unemployment.” Speaking to Brownfield at the World Pork Expo in Des Moines, she says there are two job openings for every person available. ...

The USDA has increased its expectations for this year’s winter wheat crop. As of June 1st, winter wheat production is projected 1.136 billion bushels, up 1% from the May guess and 3% from 2022, with an average yield of 44.9 bushels per acre, 0.2 bushels higher than a month ago, but 2.1 bushels lower than a year ago. Planted area is expected to be 25.286 million acres. The total includes […]

The USDA raised its domestic old crop corn and soybean ending stocks projections. Corn ending stocks for the current marketing year are seen at 1.452 billion bushels, up 35 million on the month, with a reduction in imports canceled out by a cut in exports. The old crop soybean carryover pegged at 230 million bushels, 15 million more than in May on a lower export guess. Those adjustments to old […]

A Nebraska rancher is working with countries in the Caribbean Sea region to help strengthen their ag industry. Speaking with Brownfield during the West Indies Ag Conference in the Bahamas, Jaclyn Wilson says she is trying to help producers build their own food systems and supply chains. “Maybe that is looking at some direct-to-consumer marketing opportunities or kind of some niche markets where it would be really advantageous towards especially […]

Farm bill funding is a concern of the National Pork Producers Council.  NPPC science and technology counsel Andrew Bailey calls the fiscal environment challenging as a split congress negotiates the next farm bill. “And with the new cut-go rules and things like that, any increase for us means a decrease for someone else.” Speaking to Brownfield at the World Pork Expo in Des Moines Thursday, he said strengthening and expanding […]

The chief economist with the American Soybean Association says shifting market dynamics could have a greater impact on soy crush expansion. At the start of 2023, there were at least 23 new or expanding soy crush plants across the United States and at least one of those projects is on hold due to “changing market dynamics.” Scott Gerlt says raw material costs have increased and there’s uncertainty about the blending […]