A policy expert says sanctions on Russia’s economy will likely exacerbate global supply chain issues. Mike Dankler with Michael Best Strategies says many countries have banned exports, and that will have ripple effects for the agriculture industry. “That’s throwing a lot of things into turmoil. With all of these shipping companies saying “ok we’re not sending things to Russia,” I think we’re going to have a lot of things to […]
A group of Minnesota farm and food system leaders and organizations applauds the ag budget proposed by Governor Walz. Erin McKee with the MinneAg Network says there were several priorities addressed in the proposal. “One was increasing financial and capacity investments in infrastructure, small to mid-sized processing and market development statewide, so that ties in with local and regional supply chains and food systems infrastructure investments.” She tells Brownfield the […]
The combined U.S. and Canadian livestock herds were smaller at the start of 2022 than at the start of 2021. The joint report by the USDA and Statistics Canada shows a 2% decline in the combined cattle inventory to 103 million head, due to several factors, including higher feed costs and drought in parts of the U.S. Plains and Canadian Prairies. That included decreases of 2% in the U.S. and […]
An ag economist warns of further uncertainty as farmers prepare for the next growing season. Sam Funk with Iowa Farm Bureau tells Brownfield many questions surround commodity prices, input costs, and input availability. “So a big aspect of what we need to think about is really what kind of margins can we try to start locking in. With all the uncertainty, sometimes we just want to make sure if there’s […]
Ag producers were asked to project their farm’s annual growth rate over the next five years in the latest Purdue University/CME Group Ag Economy Barometer. Purdue Ag Economist Jim Mintert says “In 2022, 39 percent of the producers said they had no plans to grow over the next five years and 14 percent said they plan to retire in the next five years. So, that’s 53 percent in the no […]
An FFA member is passionate about stopping the stigma surrounding mental health in youth in the agriculture industry and rural communities. Jaden Maze, Indiana FFA District Four vice president, started a mental health club after a student in her school committed suicide. “I’ve been working with the mental health topic since 2019, almost my entire high school career. I’ve given several speeches on mental health in agriculture through 4-H and […]
The USDA says meat export sales shot higher during the week ending February 24th. Pork sales topped 42,000 tons, an increase of nearly 60% from the previous week, led by strong demand from Mexico and China. Beef sales of almost 24,000 tons were up more than 60%, mainly to South Korea, China, and Japan. Old crop soybean sales fell 31%, but it was another solid week for new crop as […]
The White House says it’s taking steps to crack down on anti-competitive behavior and promote competition in the agriculture industry. Economic advisor David Kamin tells Brownfield supply chain issues are a cause for skyrocketing input costs. “Part of helping to address the kinds of costs farmers face is about making sure we have a strong infrastructure, make sure the products can get to market (and) that the kind of inputs […]
Derrick Bruhn, Topflight Grain Cooperative Labor shortages stemming from the pandemic continue to be a major challenge for grain elevators. Derrick Bruhn is the Manager of Topflight Grain Cooperative with 14 locations in central Illinois. “We are a seasonal type of industry in which we need a lot of extra help during harvest season and the last couple of years it has been very difficult to find. At the same […]
