War in Ukraine means higher U.S. farm costs The largest U.S. farmers and ranchers say the Russian invasion of Ukraine, with its disruption of grain, oil and fertilizer shipping, will drive up their costs of production, according to a Purdue University poll released on Tuesday. The Ag Economy Barometer also… Continue reading
Vilsack sees ‘no significant’ gains from opening Conservation Reserve The United States stands ready to provide food aid overseas if it is needed in the wake of Russia’s invasion of Ukraine, said Agriculture Secretary Tom Vilsack in a letter to grain merchandisers. At the same time, the letter closed the… Continue reading
Easter egg supply jeopardized amid bird flu surge In three weeks, outbreaks of highly pathogenic avian influenza (HPAI) have killed more than 4 percent of the egg-laying chickens in America. “Egg availability may be limited leading into Easter,” traditionally a high-demand period for eggs, said analysts at rural lender CoBank…. Continue reading
U.S. farmers pursue soybean profits, shrug at tight wheat stocks American farmers say they will plant more soybeans — a record 91 million acres — and less corn and spring wheat despite tight global wheat supplies that have been compounded by the Russian invasion of Ukraine. Russia and Ukraine are… Continue reading
USDA inaugurates livestreaming of ‘secretary data briefings’ With the arrival of the internet, the Agriculture Department made its vast library of reports and analyses available to the public, from the closely watched monthly crop estimates to assessments of the impact of the pandemic on meatpackers. The USDA went a step… Continue reading
USDA closes loopholes on origin of organic dairy livestock After years of lobbying by organic farmers, the Agriculture Department tightened its rules on how dairy animals — cattle, goats and sheep — enter organic production, in the name of fairness to farmers and consumers. The new “origin of livestock” rule… Continue reading
SNAP enrollment up, costs down in 2023 Food stamp enrollment will remain high well into 2023 due to the lingering effects of the pandemic and its disruption of the U.S. economy, said the Agriculture Department in its proposed budget for the new fiscal year. It estimated an average 43.5 million… Continue reading
USDA says food inflation rate to soar, highest since 2008 Prices for common elements of the U.S. diet, from poultry and dairy to fruits and vegetables, are rising at double or triple their usual rate, said the government in forecasting the highest annual food inflation rate in 14 years. The… Continue reading
To avert food shortage, U.S. and allies will boost food aid and grow more Global food shortages are a real possibility as a result of the Russian invasion of Ukraine, President Biden told reporters while meeting with allies in Brussels on Thursday. Western leaders, including European Commission President Ursula von… Continue reading
Europe to till fallow land to offset food shortages from war in Ukraine Responding to the Russian invasion of Ukraine, the European Commission approved a $550 million aid package for its farmers on Wednesday and said they could grow food and feed crops on fallowed land without losing any of… Continue reading
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