The August Purdue University/CME Group Ag Economy Barometer dipped 13 points from July to a reading of 100. That drop echoes levels seen from fall 2015 through winter 2016 during the early stages of a significant downturn in the U.S. farm economy. The Index of Current Conditions also dropped 17 points to 83, while the…… MORE
Category Archives: Agriculture News
Cost Report for Milk Production by Herd Size
U.S. dairy farms vary widely in size, from fewer than 50 dairy cows to having 2,000 or more. While many factors can influence a dairy farm’s production cost per unit of milk, such as technology use, management, and input prices paid, farm size can also affect costs. The Economic Research Service estimates the cost of…… MORE
USDA Launches an Online Debt Consolidation Tool for Farmers
The new debt consolidation tool allows producers to enter their farm operating debt and evaluate the potential savings that might come from debt consolidation. That consolidation could come from either a local lender or the farm service agency. By combining multiple eligible debts into a single, larger loan, farmers may get more favorable payment terms…… MORE
Increasing Farm Trade Deficit
The USDA is forecasting the agricultural trade deficit to increase sharply to a record $42.5 billion in the coming fiscal year. That compares to $30.5 billion this fiscal year, which ends September 30th. The widening trade gap, a source of frustration for many farmers and lawmakers, reflects an expected $8 billion increase in agricultural imports…… MORE
Proposed Reservoir May Get a Big Boost
California Farm Bureau is reporting that plans to build the state’s first new major reservoir in decades is moving ahead, as the state considers whether to issue a water-right permit for the proposed Sites Reservoir. If built, this north of Sacramento off-stream water project is envisioned to store up to 1.5 million acre-feet water. The…… MORE
California Grape Season Heats Up
The California table grape season is heating up just in time for the end of summer. Nearly two thirds of the crop is shipped after September first. In fact, the California Table Grape Commission says September through December will see nearly 80 different varieties being harvested, along with expanding promotional activities. Kathleen Nave, President of…… MORE
Company Brings Virtual Fencing for Livestock
Halter, a New Zealand company, has brought its virtual fencing technology for livestock to the U.S. “Halter technology is a powerful system that helps users precisely manage pasture to lift the performance of your grazing animals,” says Craig Piggot, founder and CEO of Halter. The Halter app allows users to establish virtual fences anywhere on…… MORE
North American Cattle Leaders Hold Joint Meeting
The Canadian Cattle Association hosted the third 2024 meeting with its North American counterparts, including the National Cattlemen’s Beef Association and CNOG, their Mexican counterparts. The groups met on the sideline of the Canadian Beef Industry Conference and discussed the challenges and opportunities facing beef producers across Canada, the U.S., and Mexico. Topics this year…… MORE
Clean Fuels is Disappointed in the CARB Proposal
Clean Fuels Alliance America expressed disappointment in the California Air Resource Board’s proposed amendments to its Low Carbon Fuel Standard (LCFS). If adopted, these changes would impose caps on credits for soy and canola-based biodiesel without sufficient scientific evidence to support such limitations. By restricting credit generation for these low-carbon alternatives, CARB risks unfairly disadvantaging…… MORE
U.S. Beef Herd Rebuild Could Take Years
The U.S. beef cow inventory has fallen to its lowest level in more than 60 years. With no significant changes on the horizon that would quickly reverse the trend, rebuilding the U.S. beef cow herd to historical norms is shaping up to be a years-long undertaking. According to a new research brief from CoBank’s Knowledge…… MORE
