New data from USDA’s Economic Research Service shows that between fiscal years 2018 and 2022, Mexico accounted for nearly 14% of all U.S. agricultural exports. With a total value of $28 billion, Mexico is projected to be the United States’ second largest destination for U.S. agricultural exports in fiscal year 2022, and is forecast to…… MORE
Category Archives: Agriculture News
Lawmakers Introduce Checkoff Reform
Republican Senator Mike Lee of Utah leads a bipartisan effort to reform agricultural checkoff programs. Lee was joined by Democrats Cory Booker, Kristen Gillibrand and Elizabeth Warren, and Republican Rand Paul, in reintroducing the Opportunities for Fairness in Farming Act. Checkoffs are mandatory Department of Agriculture fees assessed on a per-unit basis that fund boards…… MORE
Egg Prices Projected to Drop
The price of eggs is projected to fall by as much as 30% after reaching record-high levels over several months. The USDA says those prices should fall back to typical levels this year, provided the U.S. doesn’t see a rebound in highly pathogenic avian influenza cases in 2023. The Bureau of Labor Statistics says the…… MORE
Study Shows Transition to Cage-Free Eggs Comes With Problems
A new study funded in part by United Egg Producers and the United Egg Association shows the transition to cage-free eggs will increase costs and reduce profits. It also shows that producers may not be able to make the 2026 deadline. The study says, “Conversion from conventional to cage-free housing is costly for both egg…… MORE
FDA Releases Draft Guidance for Plant-Based Dairy Imitators
The Food and Drug Administration announced draft recommendations on the naming of plant-based foods that are marketed and sold as alternatives to milk. The guidance recommends that an alternative milk product that includes the term milk and has a nutrient composition different than milk, include a voluntary nutrient statement that conveys how the product compares…… MORE
CVP Water Allocation Announced
The Westlands Water District responds to news of how much water the feds will let flow into the valley. Westlands interim general manager says in a news release that the district is grateful for a 35% water allocation. This comes following zero allocation for the past two years. That resulted in more than 200-thousand acres…… MORE
The Fertilizer Institute Releases Sustainability Report
The Fertilizer Institute released new data highlighting industry improvements in sustainability performance in key priority areas, including workforce safety, energy, the environment, and innovation. “The industry is continuously working towards more sustainable operations, including efforts to decarbonize and mitigate environmental impacts,” says TFI President and CEO Corey Rosenbusch. Report highlights include survey participants investing an…… MORE
More time To Respond To Census Of Agriculture
Farmers and ranchers still have time to be counted in the 2022 Census of Agriculture, according to USDA’s National Agricultural Statistics Service. Although the deadline for submitting the ag census just passed, NASS will continue to accept completed census questionnaires through the spring to ensure all farmers and ranchers take advantage of the opportunity to…… MORE
Tractor Sales Down
U.S. ag tractor sales finished January 2023 in the negative, while all segments of ag equipment grew in Canada, according to the latest data from the Association of Equipment Manufacturers. Total U.S. ag tractor unit sales fell for January in all segments except one, with 100-plus horsepower two-wheel-drive tractors growing 22.8%. U.S. combine sales, however,…… MORE
Another Record Year for Farm Exports
The American agriculture sector posted its best export year ever in 2022. USDA says international sales of America’s farm and food products reached $196 billion. Final trade data from the U.S. Commerce Department showed U.S. ag exports increased 11%, or $19.5 billion, from the previous record set in 2021. The value of sales increased in…… MORE
