Iowa Senators Chuck Grassley and Joni Ernst&nbsp; Wednesday urged the Environmental Protection Agency to establish expanded renewable volume obligations in the upcoming "set" rule under the Renewable Fuel Standard. 

The Iowa Republicans Join South Dakota Republican John Thune and Illinois Democrat Dick Durbin to encourage the agency to increase blending obligations for all renewable fuel types. In a letter to the EPA, the lawmakers say, "Through this rulemaking, EPA has a historic opportunity to not only reinforce its efforts to restore integrity to the RFS, but chart a new course for biofuels that will help meet America's diverse energy demands." 

Additionally, the lawmakers urge EPA to take other actions to maximize uses for biofuels, including updating lifecycle analysis for biofuel emissions and approving additional fuel registrations under the RFS. Other Senators from Kansas, Minnesota, Nebraska, Ohio and Wisconsin also signed the letter to the EPA.

Iowa Senators Chuck Grassley and Joni Ernst&nbsp; Wednesday urged the Environmental Protection Agency to establish expanded renewable volume obligations in the upcoming "set" rule under the Renewable Fuel Standard. The Iowa Republicans Join South Dakota Republican John Thune and Illinois Democrat Dick Durbin to encourage the agency to increase blending obligations for all renewable fuel types. In a letter to the EPA, the lawmakers say, "Through this rulemaking, EPA has a historic opportunity to not only reinforce its efforts to restore integrity to the RFS, but chart a new course for biofuels that will help meet America's diverse energy demands." Additionally, the lawmakers urge EPA to take other actions to maximize uses for biofuels, including updating lifecycle analysis for biofuel emissions and approving additional fuel registrations under the RFS. Other Senators from Kansas, Minnesota, Nebraska, Ohio and Wisconsin also signed the letter to the EPA.

Grassley, Ernst urge EPA to set robust RFS blending volumes

Agriculture Secretary Tom Vilsack and USAID Administrator Samantha Power Wednesday released the U.S. government's Global Food Security Research Strategy. The strategy underscores the U.S. government's commitment to ending hunger and malnutrition and building medium to long-term sustainable, resilient food systems, according to USDA.

 The new research strategy emphasizes priority objectives and the use of data to help strengthen the impact of U.S. food security assistance and, with America's leadership, generate sustainable solutions for addressing the root causes of hunger and malnutrition, which are both inextricably linked to entrenched, extreme poverty. The research strategy will underpin the United States Government Global Food Security Strategy. 

Secretary Vilsack says, "Investment in, and support for, agricultural research and development is imperative so that the world's farmers have access to innovations that enhance productivity and efficiency." The strategy focuses on climate-smart agricultural innovations, improved nutrition through high-quality, affordable diets, and genetic improvement of resilient crops and livestock.

Agriculture Secretary Tom Vilsack and USAID Administrator Samantha Power Wednesday released the U.S. government's Global Food Security Research Strategy. The strategy underscores the U.S. government's commitment to ending hunger and malnutrition and building medium to long-term sustainable, resilient food systems, according to USDA. The new research strategy emphasizes priority objectives and the use of data to help strengthen the impact of U.S. food security assistance and, with America's leadership, generate sustainable solutions for addressing the root causes of hunger and malnutrition, which are both inextricably linked to entrenched, extreme poverty. The research strategy will underpin the United States Government Global Food Security Strategy. Secretary Vilsack says, "Investment in, and support for, agricultural research and development is imperative so that the world's farmers have access to innovations that enhance productivity and efficiency." The strategy focuses on climate-smart agricultural innovations, improved nutrition through high-quality, affordable diets, and genetic improvement of resilient crops and livestock.

USDA, USAID announce global food security research strategy

Avian influenza losses are nearing a record in the United States this year, as the virus has infected more wild birds that transmit the disease. 

A new report from Reuters shows more than 47 million birds have died from infections and culling. 

The outbreak sparked export bans and lowered egg and turkey production, leading to tight supplies and higher prices as the Thanksgiving Day shopping period nears. 

The 47 million deaths are near the deadliest U.S. outbreak in 2015, where 50.5 million birds died or were culled.&nbsp; Rosemary Sifford, chief veterinary officer for the Department of Agriculture, says, "Unfortunately, what we've done probably hasn't been enough to protect us from this high load of virus in the wild bird population." 

Officials are finding the virus in a wide range of wild birds, and it seems to live longer in the birds. Since February, USDA reports the outbreak has infected flocks in 42 states.

Avian influenza losses are nearing a record in the United States this year, as the virus has infected more wild birds that transmit the disease. A new report from Reuters shows more than 47 million birds have died from infections and culling. The outbreak sparked export bans and lowered egg and turkey production, leading to tight supplies and higher prices as the Thanksgiving Day shopping period nears. The 47 million deaths are near the deadliest U.S. outbreak in 2015, where 50.5 million birds died or were culled.&nbsp; Rosemary Sifford, chief veterinary officer for the Department of Agriculture, says, "Unfortunately, what we've done probably hasn't been enough to protect us from this high load of virus in the wild bird population." Officials are finding the virus in a wide range of wild birds, and it seems to live longer in the birds. Since February, USDA reports the outbreak has infected flocks in 42 states.

Avian Flu poultry deaths near U.S. record

Online nutrition assistance recipients redeemed $9.4 billion in benefits during the first two years of the COVID-19 pandemic. 

USDA’s Economic Research reported Tuesday the redemptions came from the&nbsp; Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program, or SNAP, along with the Pandemic Electronic Benefit Transfer benefits, or P-EBT. 

The programs allowed users to buy groceries online from authorized retailers. 

The pilot launched with several retailers in 2019 and early 2020 before the onset of the COVID-19 pandemic. The pilot opened to additional states and retailers in response to the pandemic. The number of participating retailers expanded significantly in the first two years of the pandemic. 

By December 2020, USDA authorized 13 retailers, growing to 116 in December 2021 and to 148 in March 2022. In 2020, SNAP and P-EBT recipients redeemed $1.5 billion in benefits online. In 2021, this amount more than quadrupled to $6.2 billion. Online redemptions in the first quarter of 2022 totaled $1.9 billion.

Online nutrition assistance recipients redeemed $9.4 billion in benefits during the first two years of the COVID-19 pandemic. USDA’s Economic Research reported Tuesday the redemptions came from the&nbsp; Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program, or SNAP, along with the Pandemic Electronic Benefit Transfer benefits, or P-EBT. The programs allowed users to buy groceries online from authorized retailers. The pilot launched with several retailers in 2019 and early 2020 before the onset of the COVID-19 pandemic. The pilot opened to additional states and retailers in response to the pandemic. The number of participating retailers expanded significantly in the first two years of the pandemic. By December 2020, USDA authorized 13 retailers, growing to 116 in December 2021 and to 148 in March 2022. In 2020, SNAP and P-EBT recipients redeemed $1.5 billion in benefits online. In 2021, this amount more than quadrupled to $6.2 billion. Online redemptions in the first quarter of 2022 totaled $1.9 billion.

Online SNAP, P-EBT totaled $9.7 billion during pandemic

A new interactive online tool for visualizing and exploring freeze-date trends and other climate patterns is available, thanks to Purdue University and the Department of Agriculture. 

Purdue’s Midwestern Regional Climate Center partnered with USDA’s Midwest climate hub to create the digital tool, which covers 25 states in the upper Midwest, the Northeast and Appalachia. 

The tool may interest producers of tree fruits, grapes and row crops such as corn and soybeans to help them take advantage of longer growing seasons. 

Agricultural advisors, weather forecasters, university Extension staffers and state climatologists also have expressed interest in the tool. While many think of a freeze at 32 degrees, farmers are interested in values that are colder or warmer. 

Corn and soybeans, for example, can survive 28 degrees, while fruit trees are more sensitive to freezing or near-freezing temperatures. And the freeze-date tool allows users to query their desired temperatures. You can find the Freeze Date tool on the&nbsp;<a href="https://mrcc.purdue.edu/freeze/freezedatetool.html?utm_source=cision&amp;utm_medium=referral&amp;utm_content=unsag&amp;utm_campaign=221017widhalmfreezedatatoolag">Purdue website</a>.

A new interactive online tool for visualizing and exploring freeze-date trends and other climate patterns is available, thanks to Purdue University and the Department of Agriculture. Purdue’s Midwestern Regional Climate Center partnered with USDA’s Midwest climate hub to create the digital tool, which covers 25 states in the upper Midwest, the Northeast and Appalachia. The tool may interest producers of tree fruits, grapes and row crops such as corn and soybeans to help them take advantage of longer growing seasons. Agricultural advisors, weather forecasters, university Extension staffers and state climatologists also have expressed interest in the tool. While many think of a freeze at 32 degrees, farmers are interested in values that are colder or warmer. Corn and soybeans, for example, can survive 28 degrees, while fruit trees are more sensitive to freezing or near-freezing temperatures. And the freeze-date tool allows users to query their desired temperatures. You can find the Freeze Date tool on the&nbsp;<a href="https://mrcc.purdue.edu/freeze/freezedatetool.html?utm_source=cision&amp;utm_medium=referral&amp;utm_content=unsag&amp;utm_campaign=221017widhalmfreezedatatoolag">Purdue website</a>.

Purdue, USDA, release online freeze-date tool

DES MOINES, Iowa (AP) — The federal government announced Tuesday a program that will provide $1.3 billion in debt relief for about 36,000 farmers who have fallen behind on loan payments or face foreclosure.

The U.S. Department of Agriculture announced the farm loan relief program funded from $3.1 billion set aside in the Inflation Reduction Act allocated toward assisting distressed borrowers of direct or guaranteed loans administered by USDA. The law was passed by Congress and signed by President Joe Biden in August.

The USDA provides loans to about 115,000 farmers and livestock producers who cannot obtain commercial credit. Those who have missed payments, are in foreclosure or are heading toward default will get help from the USDA. Financial difficulties for farmers may be caused by a variety of issues including drought and transportation bottlenecks.

“Through no fault of their own, our nation’s farmers and ranchers have faced incredibly tough circumstances over the last few years,” said Agriculture Secretary Tom Vilsack. “The funding included in today’s announcement helps keep our farmers farming and provides a fresh start for producers in challenging positions.”

About 11,000 farm borrowers delinquent on direct or guaranteed loan payments for 60 days or longer are receiving automatic electronic payments to get them current on their loans. Each farmer with a direct loan received about $52,000 and those with guaranteed loans received about $172,000. The total cost for this group is nearly $600 million. Farmers who received this help will get a letter informing them that their payments have been made and they will remain current until their next annual payment is due in 2023, Vilsack said.

Another $200 million has been used to immediately help 2,100 farm borrowers after their loans had been foreclosed but who still owed money and had their tax refunds and other resources taken by the U.S. Treasury. The money will be used to pay the money these farmers owe to give them a fresh start, Vilsack said. The USDA said farmers in this category received an average of $101,000.

Another $571 million will be used help several additional groups including:

—7,000 farmers who during the COVID pandemic delayed loan payments to the end of their loans. This will cost $66 million.

—1,600 farmers that face bankruptcy or foreclosure will get help on a case-by-case basis with individual meetings to assess their problem and find solutions at a cost of $330 million.

—14,000 financially distressed farm borrowers facing cash flow problems who ask for help to avoid missing a loan payment will receive additional assistance. Vilsack said these issues could be brought on by drought or by low levels on the Mississippi River that is slowing barge traffic causing grain transportation issues. Up to $175 million will be available for this program.

The money announced Tuesday is the first round of payments designed to help insure the farmers stay in business or re-enter farming.

The remainder of the $3.1 billion will be used to help relax unnecessary loan restrictions and provide further assistance to be announced later, the USDA said.

Farmers assisted by the program have been found by the USDA to be distressed borrowers hard hit by pandemic-induced market disruptions exacerbated by more frequent, more intense, climate-driven natural disasters, the USDA said.

President Joe Biden and his administration continue to endure criticism for enacting a program to forgive some college loans but some of the Republican politicians who have criticized that program did not respond to questions about whether they support the farm loan help.

The USDA also provided $31 billion to help nearly a million farmers offset lower sales, prices and other losses due to the coronavirus pandemic in 2021 and 2022, the U.S. Government Accountability Office has said.

<div><iframe width="560" height="315" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/5qYVbVE9ul0" title="YouTube video player" frameborder="0" allow="accelerometer; autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture" allowfullscreen></iframe></div>DES MOINES, Iowa (AP) — The federal government announced Tuesday a program that will provide $1.3 billion in debt relief for about 36,000 farmers who have fallen behind on loan payments or face foreclosure.The U.S. Department of Agriculture announced the farm loan relief program funded from $3.1 billion set aside in the Inflation Reduction Act allocated toward assisting distressed borrowers of direct or guaranteed loans administered by USDA. The law was passed by Congress and signed by President Joe Biden in August.The USDA provides loans to about 115,000 farmers and livestock producers who cannot obtain commercial credit. Those who have missed payments, are in foreclosure or are heading toward default will get help from the USDA. Financial difficulties for farmers may be caused by a variety of issues including drought and transportation bottlenecks.“Through no fault of their own, our nation’s farmers and ranchers have faced incredibly tough circumstances over the last few years,” said Agriculture Secretary Tom Vilsack. “The funding included in today’s announcement helps keep our farmers farming and provides a fresh start for producers in challenging positions.”About 11,000 farm borrowers delinquent on direct or guaranteed loan payments for 60 days or longer are receiving automatic electronic payments to get them current on their loans. Each farmer with a direct loan received about $52,000 and those with guaranteed loans received about $172,000. The total cost for this group is nearly $600 million. Farmers who received this help will get a letter informing them that their payments have been made and they will remain current until their next annual payment is due in 2023, Vilsack said.Another $200 million has been used to immediately help 2,100 farm borrowers after their loans had been foreclosed but who still owed money and had their tax refunds and other resources taken by the U.S. Treasury. The money will be used to pay the money these farmers owe to give them a fresh start, Vilsack said. The USDA said farmers in this category received an average of $101,000.Another $571 million will be used help several additional groups including:—7,000 farmers who during the COVID pandemic delayed loan payments to the end of their loans. This will cost $66 million.—1,600 farmers that face bankruptcy or foreclosure will get help on a case-by-case basis with individual meetings to assess their problem and find solutions at a cost of $330 million.—14,000 financially distressed farm borrowers facing cash flow problems who ask for help to avoid missing a loan payment will receive additional assistance. Vilsack said these issues could be brought on by drought or by low levels on the Mississippi River that is slowing barge traffic causing grain transportation issues. Up to $175 million will be available for this program.The money announced Tuesday is the first round of payments designed to help insure the farmers stay in business or re-enter farming.The remainder of the $3.1 billion will be used to help relax unnecessary loan restrictions and provide further assistance to be announced later, the USDA said.Farmers assisted by the program have been found by the USDA to be distressed borrowers hard hit by pandemic-induced market disruptions exacerbated by more frequent, more intense, climate-driven natural disasters, the USDA said.President Joe Biden and his administration continue to endure criticism for enacting a program to forgive some college loans but some of the Republican politicians who have criticized that program did not respond to questions about whether they support the farm loan help.The USDA also provided $31 billion to help nearly a million farmers offset lower sales, prices and other losses due to the coronavirus pandemic in 2021 and 2022, the U.S. Government Accountability Office has said.

USDA announces $1 billion debt relief for farmers

More than 16,000 farmers and agricultural organizations recently united against EPA's proposed revision to its 2020 atrazine registration review decision. 

The farmers and agricultural organizations representing corn, citrus, grain sorghum, sugar cane, and other crops, submitted comments calling for the agency to base decisions on credible scientific evidence. 

Efforts to help farmers speak out against the proposal were coordinated by the Triazine Network, a diverse coalition of state and national agricultural groups that rely on atrazine and other triazine herbicides to control weeds. The atrazine comment period ended on October 7. 

In their comments, growers expressed frustration with the EPA's lack of transparency and its repeated efforts to implement measures that would end effective use of atrazine for weed control. 

In addition to the ultra-low 3.4 ppb level, EPA doubled and tripled down by creating an over-predictive model that predicted 72 percent of U.S. corn acres would be in violation.

More than 16,000 farmers and agricultural organizations recently united against EPA's proposed revision to its 2020 atrazine registration review decision. The farmers and agricultural organizations representing corn, citrus, grain sorghum, sugar cane, and other crops, submitted comments calling for the agency to base decisions on credible scientific evidence. Efforts to help farmers speak out against the proposal were coordinated by the Triazine Network, a diverse coalition of state and national agricultural groups that rely on atrazine and other triazine herbicides to control weeds. The atrazine comment period ended on October 7. In their comments, growers expressed frustration with the EPA's lack of transparency and its repeated efforts to implement measures that would end effective use of atrazine for weed control. In addition to the ultra-low 3.4 ppb level, EPA doubled and tripled down by creating an over-predictive model that predicted 72 percent of U.S. corn acres would be in violation.

16,000 farmers, ag organizations, submit comments on EPA Atrazine Proposal

A new study from Growth Energy found nationwide access to E15 could save drivers billions in annual fuel costs, create new jobs, and return billions to the U.S. economy. 

The study, conducted by ABF Economics, follows months of record-high gas prices across the country and President Joe Biden's emergency waiver to allow the sale of E15 for the 2022 summer driving season. 

The study says a nationwide transition to E15 would also put an additional $36.3 billion in income into the pockets of American households, support an additional 188,000 jobs, and generate $66.3 billion for the U.S. Gross Domestic Product. 

Growth Energy CEO Emily Skor responds, “Today's study shows that expanded, year-round access of this higher biofuel blend can provide a much-needed boost to the farm economy and even greater savings to American families." E15 is currently sold at over 2,700 stations across 31 states, and drivers have chosen the biofuel blend to fuel 35 billion miles total.

A new study from Growth Energy found nationwide access to E15 could save drivers billions in annual fuel costs, create new jobs, and return billions to the U.S. economy. The study, conducted by ABF Economics, follows months of record-high gas prices across the country and President Joe Biden's emergency waiver to allow the sale of E15 for the 2022 summer driving season. The study says a nationwide transition to E15 would also put an additional $36.3 billion in income into the pockets of American households, support an additional 188,000 jobs, and generate $66.3 billion for the U.S. Gross Domestic Product. Growth Energy CEO Emily Skor responds, “Today's study shows that expanded, year-round access of this higher biofuel blend can provide a much-needed boost to the farm economy and even greater savings to American families." E15 is currently sold at over 2,700 stations across 31 states, and drivers have chosen the biofuel blend to fuel 35 billion miles total.

Growth Energy: Access to e15 would save drivers more than $20 billion

U.S. durum wheat production is expected to increase in the 2022/23 marketing year after last year’s drought reduced production to its lowest in 60 years. 

USDA’s Economic Research Service reported Monday production in 2022/23 is forecast at 64 million bushels, up 70 percent from the previous marketing year, but below the average of the previous five years. 

Durum wheat is the primary class of wheat used to produce pasta. 

Food use of durum was elevated in marketing years 2019/20 and 2020/21, fueled by surging consumer demand during the COVID-19 pandemic, when shoppers stocked up on pasta while in quarantine. 

While the surge in demand has since subsided, consumer prices for wheat-based products, including pasta, are up substantially in 2022. 

This year's larger durum crop, along with larger Canadian production, has eased some supply pressure. However, high commodity prices in general and elevated input, labor, and energy costs have each contributed to higher prices for the manufactured products of wheat, including pasta.

U.S. durum wheat production is expected to increase in the 2022/23 marketing year after last year’s drought reduced production to its lowest in 60 years. USDA’s Economic Research Service reported Monday production in 2022/23 is forecast at 64 million bushels, up 70 percent from the previous marketing year, but below the average of the previous five years. Durum wheat is the primary class of wheat used to produce pasta. Food use of durum was elevated in marketing years 2019/20 and 2020/21, fueled by surging consumer demand during the COVID-19 pandemic, when shoppers stocked up on pasta while in quarantine. While the surge in demand has since subsided, consumer prices for wheat-based products, including pasta, are up substantially in 2022. This year's larger durum crop, along with larger Canadian production, has eased some supply pressure. However, high commodity prices in general and elevated input, labor, and energy costs have each contributed to higher prices for the manufactured products of wheat, including pasta.

U.S. Durum production increasing, food use remains stable

The Energy Information Administration says U.S. ethanol production jumped to its highest level in almost a month during the week ending on October 7. 

Ethanol output rose to an average of 932,000 barrels per day, the largest production level since the week ending on September 9 and up from the 889,000 produced during the prior week. 

The Midwest is the biggest ethanol-producing area in the country, and output surged to an average of 881,000 barrels a day, the highest level in a month and up from 840,000 a week earlier. 

East Coast production jumped to 10,000 barrels a day, up from 3,000 barrels the week before.&nbsp;&nbsp;Rocky Mountain output was unchanged, while production dropped on the Gulf Coast by 7,000 barrels a day and 1,000 on the West Coast. 

Ethanol inventories rose to 21.86 million barrels in the seven days ending on October 7, up from 21.68 million barrels a week earlier.

The Energy Information Administration says U.S. ethanol production jumped to its highest level in almost a month during the week ending on October 7. Ethanol output rose to an average of 932,000 barrels per day, the largest production level since the week ending on September 9 and up from the 889,000 produced during the prior week. The Midwest is the biggest ethanol-producing area in the country, and output surged to an average of 881,000 barrels a day, the highest level in a month and up from 840,000 a week earlier. East Coast production jumped to 10,000 barrels a day, up from 3,000 barrels the week before.&nbsp;&nbsp;Rocky Mountain output was unchanged, while production dropped on the Gulf Coast by 7,000 barrels a day and 1,000 on the West Coast. Ethanol inventories rose to 21.86 million barrels in the seven days ending on October 7, up from 21.68 million barrels a week earlier.

Ethanol output jumps to highest level in a month

The USDA’s Food Safety and Inspection Service released a proposed regulatory framework for a new strategy to control Salmonella contamination and reduce illnesses from poultry products. 

The agency will host a virtual public meeting on November 3 to get input from stakeholders on the framework. 

The proposed framework has three components: requiring that incoming flocks be tested for Salmonella before entering an establishment; enhancing establishment process control monitoring and FSIS verification; last is implementing an enforceable final product standard. 

“We know that Salmonella in poultry is a complex problem with no single solution,” says USDA Deputy Undersecretary Sandra Eskin. 

“We have identified a series of strategic actions FSIS could take that are likely to drive down Salmonella infections linked to poultry product consumption, and we are pressing those in this proposed framework.” For more information on the virtual meeting, go to the Meetings and Events page on the FSIS website.

The USDA’s Food Safety and Inspection Service released a proposed regulatory framework for a new strategy to control Salmonella contamination and reduce illnesses from poultry products. The agency will host a virtual public meeting on November 3 to get input from stakeholders on the framework. The proposed framework has three components: requiring that incoming flocks be tested for Salmonella before entering an establishment; enhancing establishment process control monitoring and FSIS verification; last is implementing an enforceable final product standard. “We know that Salmonella in poultry is a complex problem with no single solution,” says USDA Deputy Undersecretary Sandra Eskin. “We have identified a series of strategic actions FSIS could take that are likely to drive down Salmonella infections linked to poultry product consumption, and we are pressing those in this proposed framework.” For more information on the virtual meeting, go to the Meetings and Events page on the FSIS website.

USDA releases proposed regulatory framework on reducing Salmonella

Land O’ Lakes is celebrating National Farmers Day by raising consumer awareness of the critical role that farmers play in society by launching the “State of the American Farmer” survey. 

The survey revealed some of the misconceptions that Americans have about the state of farming. 

On average, Americans believe that less than half of all farms are family-owned and operated and that just 43 percent of what they buy comes from family farms. 

Despite some misconceptions, most Americans are interested in the source of their food. Nearly all of the survey respondents say it’s at least somewhat important that their groceries be sourced sustainably. 

To show support for farmers, Land O’ Lakes launched “Farmers are Incredible,” a multiplatform creative campaign rooted in celebrating National Farmers Day. The goal is to emphasize the year-round importance of farmers and the agriculture industry. The campaign features the co-op’s farmer members and their work.

Land O’ Lakes is celebrating National Farmers Day by raising consumer awareness of the critical role that farmers play in society by launching the “State of the American Farmer” survey. The survey revealed some of the misconceptions that Americans have about the state of farming. On average, Americans believe that less than half of all farms are family-owned and operated and that just 43 percent of what they buy comes from family farms. Despite some misconceptions, most Americans are interested in the source of their food. Nearly all of the survey respondents say it’s at least somewhat important that their groceries be sourced sustainably. To show support for farmers, Land O’ Lakes launched “Farmers are Incredible,” a multiplatform creative campaign rooted in celebrating National Farmers Day. The goal is to emphasize the year-round importance of farmers and the agriculture industry. The campaign features the co-op’s farmer members and their work.

Land O’ Lakes launches “Farmers are Incredible” Campaign

By DAVE BERGMEIER <a href="https://www.hpj.com/ag_news/driverless-tractors-machinery-finding-their-way-onto-fields/article_beb709ec-4640-11ed-8044-373be8fca6b5.html">High Plains Journal</a>

In recent years few innovations have caught the fancy of farmers more than autonomous tractors.

Automation
 is technologically advanced and a farmer can put a driverless tractor 
into a field. Specialty crop production has included autonomous orchard 
harvesters and strawberry harvesters, said Austin Gellings, agriculture 
services manager for the Association of Equipment Manufacturers, 
Milwaukee, Wisconsin.

There are some autonomous 
machines available in the marketplace and experts believe that will 
continue to accelerate. Experts say operators have to make a decision 
based on their own situation.

“The
 agriculture industry is challenged with feeding, clothing and providing
 fuel for an ever-growing population with less land, less resources and 
less inputs,” said Christopher Murray, marketing manager at John Deere, 
Moline, Illinois. “Artificial intelligence has bridged the gap from the 
days of doing more with more, to getting more with less.”

“These
 challenges represent opportunities for our customers. At John Deere, we
 have been focused on integrating technology over the last 30 years into
 our machines that help us enable farmers to feed, clothe and fuel the 
world. We see advanced technology growing up in farming operations to 
meet the ever-growing needs from the world population.”

Manufacturers
 have been incorporating some level of autonomy into machinery dating 
back to the 1990s with technology such as Autosteer, Gellings said. 
“Since then we have seen numerous other aspects of farm machinery 
becoming automated and over the last few years begun to see more and 
more fully autonomous solutions. However, there are industries like 
mining that have been operating fully autonomous for quite some time and
 have a stellar track record with it.”

By
 deploying an autonomous machine in agriculture, farmers will be able to
 tend to priority jobs while that machine handles other work the farmer 
may not have time or available labor to do, Murray said. Autonomous 
gives farmers back valuable time they can use to spend getting other 
jobs done or spending time with family and friends.

“It
 could be the difference between a farmer working through the evening or
 getting home to enjoy a warm meal with their family,” Murray said. 
“Deploying an autonomous machine benefits farmers’ bottom line, their 
livelihoods and the world at large as food demand and hunger increase.”

The drive for using autonomous 
machines in production agriculture makes sense to Gellings, who says it 
offers benefits such as taking operators out of harm’s way and with 
increased efficiency the machines could run for many more hours and one 
person could monitor several machines at once. Autonomous equipment does
 take someone who has technical savvy, Gellings said. Anyone who has 
proficiency in running a farm, incorporating Autosteer and other 
technologies that require a user interface may already have a level of 
familiarity.

“From a 
mechanical maintenance standpoint most aspects of the machine are 
similar to other conventional machines,” Gellings said.

As
 farmers update their fleet of equipment, they should consider how the 
new piece of equipment and the available technology will help increase 
productivity, performance, yields, sustainability, and quality of life, 
Murray said.

“At John 
Deere, our technology stack allows farmers to meet their goals and 
stretch further into automation with each piece of John Deere 
equipment,” he said. “Our John Deere dealers have helped farmers realize
 the value of technology, from the core hardware and software that 
customer use such as AutoTrac, yield documentation, and John Deere 
Operations Center, to our most advanced technology available in our 
automation packages.”

Many
 customers choose to order Deere equipment with automation packages that
 automate many of the functions on the piece of the equipment, Murray 
said. For example, with Tractor Automation 4.0, the customer gets 
AutoTrac Turn Automation, AutoPath, AutoTrac Implement Guidance and 
Machine Sync. The technologies build upon the core technology to make 
the farmer more productive and increase yields throughout each 
production step—field preparation, planting, fertilizer application, and
 during harvest.

“All these available 
technologies are valuable building blocks to autonomy,” Murray said. 
“The farmers using our most advanced technologies today will be able to 
easily make the next step into autonomy once it is available to the 
industry.”

Case IH, 
Racine, Wisconsin, has also been a pioneer in autonomous machinery 
market, and company officials said are continuing to build on a 
portfolio that meets the needs of growers.

During
 the recent Farm Progress Show in Boone, Iowa, Case IH and Raven 
Industries introduced an autonomous spreader—the Case IH Trident 5550 
applicator with Raven Autonomy. The technology stack is powered by 
guidance and steering propulsion control, perception and path planning 
software developed by Raven.

According to the companies, 
from a mobile device operators can plan and complete an entire field 
operation based on mapped field boundaries. Through a series of advanced
 cameras and radar systems, the Raven Autonomy perception system is 
constantly sensing a 360-degree environment around the machine for 
obstacles and motion initiation while operating. With artificial 
intelligence, Raven’s perception controller processes the continuous 
stream of images, which interprets and detects obstacles. The remove 
operator can view the cameras through the mobile device at any time.

While
 costs may be higher the savings in labor can make autonomous machinery 
closer to a reality, Gellings said. “This is not just an investment to 
improve one’s current operation, but it is also a pathway to engage the 
next generation of farmers who are more interested in technology.”

Gellings
 said broadband limitations may not be as major of an obstacle for 
growers but are a key factor in being able to use equipment to its 
fullest potential both from an autonomy standpoint and being able to 
fully use other aspects such as data-driven decisions.

While
 much of the attention has been on large scale tractors there is also a 
demand for other pieces of autonomous equipment, he said. They include 
orchard and strawberry harvesters, Gellings said.

John Deere announced the autonomy for tillage at the Consumer Electronics Show this past January.

“Autonomy
 will open the door for us to continue to innovate more solutions to 
keep serving our customers in new ways and for the tasks that are most 
demanding on them,” Murray said. “We will prioritize autonomy for the 
jobs that occur at the busiest times of the year—like during planting 
and harvesting—when farmers must contend with limited labor, lots of 
variables and show windows of times to get things done.”

Farmers,
 just like any business are always looking to innovate to meet their 
goals that help increase productivity, performance yields, 
sustainability, and quality of life, he said. With those goals in mind 
Deere expects further automation with machinery, further learning about 
machines, more artificial intelligence, and more autonomy.

“Technology
 has helped farmers get closer to meeting their goals and will continue 
to push boundaries in the future,” Murray said.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2022/10/1665753318832.png" alt="The Case IH Trident 5550 applicator with Raven Autonomy allows for one or more driverless machines in the field without an operator present in the cab, providing the flexibility of full control in or out of the cab. (Courtesy photo.)" />
 <figcaption>The Case IH Trident 5550 applicator with Raven Autonomy allows for one or more driverless machines in the field without an operator present in the cab, providing the flexibility of full control in or out of the cab. (Courtesy photo.)</figcaption>
 </figure>By DAVE BERGMEIER <a href="https://www.hpj.com/ag_news/driverless-tractors-machinery-finding-their-way-onto-fields/article_beb709ec-4640-11ed-8044-373be8fca6b5.html">High Plains Journal</a>In recent years few innovations have caught the fancy of farmers more than autonomous tractors.Automation
 is technologically advanced and a farmer can put a driverless tractor 
into a field. Specialty crop production has included autonomous orchard 
harvesters and strawberry harvesters, said Austin Gellings, agriculture 
services manager for the Association of Equipment Manufacturers, 
Milwaukee, Wisconsin.There are some autonomous 
machines available in the marketplace and experts believe that will 
continue to accelerate. Experts say operators have to make a decision 
based on their own situation.“The
 agriculture industry is challenged with feeding, clothing and providing
 fuel for an ever-growing population with less land, less resources and 
less inputs,” said Christopher Murray, marketing manager at John Deere, 
Moline, Illinois. “Artificial intelligence has bridged the gap from the 
days of doing more with more, to getting more with less.”“These
 challenges represent opportunities for our customers. At John Deere, we
 have been focused on integrating technology over the last 30 years into
 our machines that help us enable farmers to feed, clothe and fuel the 
world. We see advanced technology growing up in farming operations to 
meet the ever-growing needs from the world population.”<h2>Early roots</h2>Manufacturers
 have been incorporating some level of autonomy into machinery dating 
back to the 1990s with technology such as Autosteer, Gellings said. 
“Since then we have seen numerous other aspects of farm machinery 
becoming automated and over the last few years begun to see more and 
more fully autonomous solutions. However, there are industries like 
mining that have been operating fully autonomous for quite some time and
 have a stellar track record with it.”By
 deploying an autonomous machine in agriculture, farmers will be able to
 tend to priority jobs while that machine handles other work the farmer 
may not have time or available labor to do, Murray said. Autonomous 
gives farmers back valuable time they can use to spend getting other 
jobs done or spending time with family and friends.“It
 could be the difference between a farmer working through the evening or
 getting home to enjoy a warm meal with their family,” Murray said. 
“Deploying an autonomous machine benefits farmers’ bottom line, their 
livelihoods and the world at large as food demand and hunger increase.”<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2022/10/1665753409090.png" alt="John Deere’s autonomous tractor has six pairs of stereo cameras, which enables 360-degree obstacle detection and the calculation of distance. Images captured by the cameras are passed through a deep neural network that classifies each pixel in approximately 100 milliseconds and determines if the machine continues to move or stops, depending on if an obstacle is detected. The autonomous tractor is also continuously checking its position relative to a geofence, ensuring it is operating where it is supposed to, and is accurate to within less than 1 inch. (Courtesy photo.)" />
 <figcaption>John Deere’s autonomous tractor has six pairs of stereo cameras, which enables 360-degree obstacle detection and the calculation of distance. Images captured by the cameras are passed through a deep neural network that classifies each pixel in approximately 100 milliseconds and determines if the machine continues to move or stops, depending on if an obstacle is detected. The autonomous tractor is also continuously checking its position relative to a geofence, ensuring it is operating where it is supposed to, and is accurate to within less than 1 inch. (Courtesy photo.)</figcaption>
 </figure>The drive for using autonomous 
machines in production agriculture makes sense to Gellings, who says it 
offers benefits such as taking operators out of harm’s way and with 
increased efficiency the machines could run for many more hours and one 
person could monitor several machines at once. Autonomous equipment does
 take someone who has technical savvy, Gellings said. Anyone who has 
proficiency in running a farm, incorporating Autosteer and other 
technologies that require a user interface may already have a level of 
familiarity.“From a 
mechanical maintenance standpoint most aspects of the machine are 
similar to other conventional machines,” Gellings said.As
 farmers update their fleet of equipment, they should consider how the 
new piece of equipment and the available technology will help increase 
productivity, performance, yields, sustainability, and quality of life, 
Murray said.“At John 
Deere, our technology stack allows farmers to meet their goals and 
stretch further into automation with each piece of John Deere 
equipment,” he said. “Our John Deere dealers have helped farmers realize
 the value of technology, from the core hardware and software that 
customer use such as AutoTrac, yield documentation, and John Deere 
Operations Center, to our most advanced technology available in our 
automation packages.”<h2>Features familiarity</h2>Many
 customers choose to order Deere equipment with automation packages that
 automate many of the functions on the piece of the equipment, Murray 
said. For example, with Tractor Automation 4.0, the customer gets 
AutoTrac Turn Automation, AutoPath, AutoTrac Implement Guidance and 
Machine Sync. The technologies build upon the core technology to make 
the farmer more productive and increase yields throughout each 
production step—field preparation, planting, fertilizer application, and
 during harvest.“All these available 
technologies are valuable building blocks to autonomy,” Murray said. 
“The farmers using our most advanced technologies today will be able to 
easily make the next step into autonomy once it is available to the 
industry.”Case IH, 
Racine, Wisconsin, has also been a pioneer in autonomous machinery 
market, and company officials said are continuing to build on a 
portfolio that meets the needs of growers.During
 the recent Farm Progress Show in Boone, Iowa, Case IH and Raven 
Industries introduced an autonomous spreader—the Case IH Trident 5550 
applicator with Raven Autonomy. The technology stack is powered by 
guidance and steering propulsion control, perception and path planning 
software developed by Raven.<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2022/10/1665753460991.png" alt="Courtesy photo" />
 <figcaption>Courtesy photo</figcaption>
 </figure>According to the companies, 
from a mobile device operators can plan and complete an entire field 
operation based on mapped field boundaries. Through a series of advanced
 cameras and radar systems, the Raven Autonomy perception system is 
constantly sensing a 360-degree environment around the machine for 
obstacles and motion initiation while operating. With artificial 
intelligence, Raven’s perception controller processes the continuous 
stream of images, which interprets and detects obstacles. The remove 
operator can view the cameras through the mobile device at any time.<h2>Technical reality</h2>While
 costs may be higher the savings in labor can make autonomous machinery 
closer to a reality, Gellings said. “This is not just an investment to 
improve one’s current operation, but it is also a pathway to engage the 
next generation of farmers who are more interested in technology.”Gellings
 said broadband limitations may not be as major of an obstacle for 
growers but are a key factor in being able to use equipment to its 
fullest potential both from an autonomy standpoint and being able to 
fully use other aspects such as data-driven decisions.While
 much of the attention has been on large scale tractors there is also a 
demand for other pieces of autonomous equipment, he said. They include 
orchard and strawberry harvesters, Gellings said.John Deere announced the autonomy for tillage at the Consumer Electronics Show this past January.“Autonomy
 will open the door for us to continue to innovate more solutions to 
keep serving our customers in new ways and for the tasks that are most 
demanding on them,” Murray said. “We will prioritize autonomy for the 
jobs that occur at the busiest times of the year—like during planting 
and harvesting—when farmers must contend with limited labor, lots of 
variables and show windows of times to get things done.”Farmers,
 just like any business are always looking to innovate to meet their 
goals that help increase productivity, performance yields, 
sustainability, and quality of life, he said. With those goals in mind 
Deere expects further automation with machinery, further learning about 
machines, more artificial intelligence, and more autonomy.“Technology
 has helped farmers get closer to meeting their goals and will continue 
to push boundaries in the future,” Murray said.Republished with permission

Driverless tractors, machinery finding their way onto fields

The Consumer Price Index rose 0.4 percent in September on a seasonally adjusted basis, the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics reported Thursday. 

The food index increased 0.8 percent in September, the same increase as August.&nbsp;&nbsp;The food at home index rose 0.7 percent in September as all six major grocery store food group indexes increased. 

The index for fruits and vegetables rose 1.6 percent, while the index for cereals and bakery products rose 0.9 percent. 

The index for meats, poultry, fish, and eggs rose 0.4 percent, while the index for nonalcoholic beverages increased 0.6 percent in September.&nbsp;&nbsp;The dairy index rose 0.3 percent in September, the same increase as the previous month. 

The food away from home index rose 0.9 percent in September, as it did in August. The food at home index rose 13.0 percent over the last 12 months, and the index for food away from home rose 8.5 percent over the last year.

The Consumer Price Index rose 0.4 percent in September on a seasonally adjusted basis, the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics reported Thursday. The food index increased 0.8 percent in September, the same increase as August.&nbsp;&nbsp;The food at home index rose 0.7 percent in September as all six major grocery store food group indexes increased. The index for fruits and vegetables rose 1.6 percent, while the index for cereals and bakery products rose 0.9 percent. The index for meats, poultry, fish, and eggs rose 0.4 percent, while the index for nonalcoholic beverages increased 0.6 percent in September.&nbsp;&nbsp;The dairy index rose 0.3 percent in September, the same increase as the previous month. The food away from home index rose 0.9 percent in September, as it did in August. The food at home index rose 13.0 percent over the last 12 months, and the index for food away from home rose 8.5 percent over the last year.

Consumer Price Index summary

The Department of Agriculture seeks public comment on how it should implement Section 22007 of the Inflation Reduction Act. 

The provision aims to assist the nation’s farmers, ranchers, and forest landowners who experienced discrimination in USDA’s farm lending programs. 

Section 22007 provides a transformative opportunity for USDA to help farmers, ranchers, and forest landowners impacted by discrimination in USDA farm lending programs. 

IRA Section 22007 directs USDA to provide financial assistance to producers who have experienced discrimination in USDA’s farm lending programs and has appropriated $2.2 billion for this purpose. Agriculture Secretary Tom Vilsack says, “These actions further build on USDA’s commitment to use all the tools it has available to help farmers.” 

The request for information in the Federal Register asks several questions on how USDA should design and administer the program. The 30-day comment period opens Friday, October 14, and closes on November 14, 2022. USDA values your input and welcomes all comments.

The Department of Agriculture seeks public comment on how it should implement Section 22007 of the Inflation Reduction Act. The provision aims to assist the nation’s farmers, ranchers, and forest landowners who experienced discrimination in USDA’s farm lending programs. Section 22007 provides a transformative opportunity for USDA to help farmers, ranchers, and forest landowners impacted by discrimination in USDA farm lending programs. IRA Section 22007 directs USDA to provide financial assistance to producers who have experienced discrimination in USDA’s farm lending programs and has appropriated $2.2 billion for this purpose. Agriculture Secretary Tom Vilsack says, “These actions further build on USDA’s commitment to use all the tools it has available to help farmers.” The request for information in the Federal Register asks several questions on how USDA should design and administer the program. The 30-day comment period opens Friday, October 14, and closes on November 14, 2022. USDA values your input and welcomes all comments.

USDA seeks comment on program assisting producers who have experienced discrimination

New data from the Department of Agriculture shows Florida accounted for 1.7 percent of U.S. farm sector cash receipts in 2021. 

USDA's Economic Research Service estimates the previous year's farm sector cash receipts—the cash income received from agricultural commodity sales. 

The data includes state-level estimates, which offer background information about states subject to unexpected events that affect the agricultural sector, such as Hurricane Ian. 

In 2021, commodities produced in Florida contributed about $7.5 billion, or 1.7 percent, of the $434 billion in total U.S. cash receipts. Floriculture, the cultivation of flowers, accounted for the largest share of Florida's cash receipts, valued at $1.1 billion. 

The next largest commodities in Florida in terms of cash receipts were oranges, at $670 million, sugarcane at $553 million, cattle and calves at $546 million, and milk $470 million. Florida led the nation in cash receipts for sugarcane, cabbage, cucumbers, watermelon, sweet corn, and snap beans.

New data from the Department of Agriculture shows Florida accounted for 1.7 percent of U.S. farm sector cash receipts in 2021. USDA's Economic Research Service estimates the previous year's farm sector cash receipts—the cash income received from agricultural commodity sales. The data includes state-level estimates, which offer background information about states subject to unexpected events that affect the agricultural sector, such as Hurricane Ian. In 2021, commodities produced in Florida contributed about $7.5 billion, or 1.7 percent, of the $434 billion in total U.S. cash receipts. Floriculture, the cultivation of flowers, accounted for the largest share of Florida's cash receipts, valued at $1.1 billion. The next largest commodities in Florida in terms of cash receipts were oranges, at $670 million, sugarcane at $553 million, cattle and calves at $546 million, and milk $470 million. Florida led the nation in cash receipts for sugarcane, cabbage, cucumbers, watermelon, sweet corn, and snap beans.

Florida accounted for 1.7 percent of U.S. farm sector cash receipts in 2021

Combine harvester sales rose during September in both the U.S. and Canada, while total tractor sales fell in both countries. 

Data from the Association of Equipment Manufacturers says total U.S. ag equipment unit sales stayed above the five-year average for the second month since April. 

Total farm tractor sales fell 12.8 percent in September compared to last year, while U.S. self-propelled combine sales for the month rose 6.6 percent, slowing gains made in August. 

The 100-plus horsepower two-wheel-drive tractor segment was once again the only positive segment in the U.S., up 9.6 percent from August. In Canada, growth was led by combine harvesters, up 105 percent. Overall unit sales for tractors were down one percent. 

“The ag equipment market, as with most markets for manufactured goods, is turbulent,” says Curt Blades, senior vice president of industry sectors and product leadership with AEM. “Supply chain difficulties continue to weigh on manufacturers’ deliveries.”

Combine harvester sales rose during September in both the U.S. and Canada, while total tractor sales fell in both countries. Data from the Association of Equipment Manufacturers says total U.S. ag equipment unit sales stayed above the five-year average for the second month since April. Total farm tractor sales fell 12.8 percent in September compared to last year, while U.S. self-propelled combine sales for the month rose 6.6 percent, slowing gains made in August. The 100-plus horsepower two-wheel-drive tractor segment was once again the only positive segment in the U.S., up 9.6 percent from August. In Canada, growth was led by combine harvesters, up 105 percent. Overall unit sales for tractors were down one percent. “The ag equipment market, as with most markets for manufactured goods, is turbulent,” says Curt Blades, senior vice president of industry sectors and product leadership with AEM. “Supply chain difficulties continue to weigh on manufacturers’ deliveries.”

Combine sales grow, tractor sales drop in September

The National Cattlemen’s Beef Association denounced Google’s decision to bias consumers against beef through their new sustainability search feature. 

NCBA says that feature provides inaccurate climate information about cattle production. 

“Google is using its billions of dollars of resources to target cattle producers and ignore the science that demonstrates beef’s sustainability and value to the environment,” says NCBA President Don Schiefelbein. 

“Cattle producers have a record of continuous improvement, which has led to the U.S. recording the lowest global greenhouse gas emissions from beef while contributing to the world’s food security.” 

NCBA also says cattle production protects green space, upcycles grass and forages, and provides consumers with a lean source of protein packed with essential nutrients. 

“Google should seriously reconsider this feature,” Schiefelbein adds. NCBA points out that livestock play an important role in protecting open spaces and accounts for only a very small portion of greenhouse gas emissions.

The National Cattlemen’s Beef Association denounced Google’s decision to bias consumers against beef through their new sustainability search feature. NCBA says that feature provides inaccurate climate information about cattle production. “Google is using its billions of dollars of resources to target cattle producers and ignore the science that demonstrates beef’s sustainability and value to the environment,” says NCBA President Don Schiefelbein. “Cattle producers have a record of continuous improvement, which has led to the U.S. recording the lowest global greenhouse gas emissions from beef while contributing to the world’s food security.” NCBA also says cattle production protects green space, upcycles grass and forages, and provides consumers with a lean source of protein packed with essential nutrients. “Google should seriously reconsider this feature,” Schiefelbein adds. NCBA points out that livestock play an important role in protecting open spaces and accounts for only a very small portion of greenhouse gas emissions.

NCBA says Google feature misrepresents beef

The Brotherhood of Maintenance of Way Employees Division of the International Brotherhood of Teamsters rejected a tentative labor contract brokered between rail carriers and workers’ union reps. 

The third-largest rail workers union in the country was the first union to say no to a deal brokered in part by the Biden administration. 

The union voted the deal down 6,646 to 5,100. President Tony Cardwell told Politico that workers “resent the fact that management holds no regard for their quality of life, illustrated by their stubborn reluctance to provide a higher quantity of paid time off, especially for sickness.” 

Negotiations will restart, resetting the countdown on a potential strike. The union says it will delay any strike until five days after Congress reconvenes. 

Four other unions approved the tentative agreement. However, every one of the 12 unions representing employees must ratify their contracts to prevent a strike. Voting will be finished by mid-November.

The Brotherhood of Maintenance of Way Employees Division of the International Brotherhood of Teamsters rejected a tentative labor contract brokered between rail carriers and workers’ union reps. The third-largest rail workers union in the country was the first union to say no to a deal brokered in part by the Biden administration. The union voted the deal down 6,646 to 5,100. President Tony Cardwell told Politico that workers “resent the fact that management holds no regard for their quality of life, illustrated by their stubborn reluctance to provide a higher quantity of paid time off, especially for sickness.” Negotiations will restart, resetting the countdown on a potential strike. The union says it will delay any strike until five days after Congress reconvenes. Four other unions approved the tentative agreement. However, every one of the 12 unions representing employees must ratify their contracts to prevent a strike. Voting will be finished by mid-November.

Railroad Union votes down labor contract, strike looming

New research from USDA’s Economic Research Service announced Tuesday shows global food insecurity increased by nearly ten percent in fiscal year 2022. 

USDA’s International Food Security Assessment model estimates how food prices and incomes affect food demand and access in 77 low- and middle-income countries. Food security is then evaluated by estimating the population unable to access sufficient calories to sustain a healthy, active lifestyle. Of the people in countries included in the 2022 assessment, almost 119 million more people are estimated to be food insecure compared to 2021. 

The upward trend in international prices for wheat, coarse grains, and vegetable oils during the 2021/22 marketing year has been further exacerbated by Russia's military invasion of Ukraine, which reduced exports of the commodities from the Black Sea region. Domestic prices of major grains in 2022 are projected to rise in 70 of the 77 countries included in the assessment, with the North Africa region being the most affected.

New research from USDA’s Economic Research Service announced Tuesday shows global food insecurity increased by nearly ten percent in fiscal year 2022. USDA’s International Food Security Assessment model estimates how food prices and incomes affect food demand and access in 77 low- and middle-income countries. Food security is then evaluated by estimating the population unable to access sufficient calories to sustain a healthy, active lifestyle. Of the people in countries included in the 2022 assessment, almost 119 million more people are estimated to be food insecure compared to 2021. The upward trend in international prices for wheat, coarse grains, and vegetable oils during the 2021/22 marketing year has been further exacerbated by Russia's military invasion of Ukraine, which reduced exports of the commodities from the Black Sea region. Domestic prices of major grains in 2022 are projected to rise in 70 of the 77 countries included in the assessment, with the North Africa region being the most affected.

Global food insecurity increased nearly 10 Percent in 2022

The Biden Administration Tuesday provided $50 million in grants for schools to invest in new food service equipment that will allow them to continue serving nutritious meals. 

The funding adds to the $30 million equipment grants the administration gave schools earlier this year. The announcement comes during National School Lunch Week, as designated by President Joe Biden. The added support for school meals and child nutrition builds on the momentum from last month's White House Conference on Hunger, Nutrition and Health, where the administration unveiled a national strategy to end hunger and reduce diet-related disease by 2030. 

Agriculture Secretary Tom Vilsack says, "Ensuring access to nutritious school meals is one of the best investments we can make in our fight to end child hunger and improve health." USDA provides grant funds to states, which use a competitive application process to award them to school districts participating in the National School Lunch Program.

The Biden Administration Tuesday provided $50 million in grants for schools to invest in new food service equipment that will allow them to continue serving nutritious meals. The funding adds to the $30 million equipment grants the administration gave schools earlier this year. The announcement comes during National School Lunch Week, as designated by President Joe Biden. The added support for school meals and child nutrition builds on the momentum from last month's White House Conference on Hunger, Nutrition and Health, where the administration unveiled a national strategy to end hunger and reduce diet-related disease by 2030. Agriculture Secretary Tom Vilsack says, "Ensuring access to nutritious school meals is one of the best investments we can make in our fight to end child hunger and improve health." USDA provides grant funds to states, which use a competitive application process to award them to school districts participating in the National School Lunch Program.

Biden Administration invests $80 Million to improve nutrition in school meals

Agriculture groups argued against California's Proposition 12 to the Supreme Court Tuesday. 

The American Farm Bureau Federation and National Pork Producers Council challenged the ability of one state to set agricultural production standards for the entire country. California's Proposition 12 law bans the sale of pork from hogs that don't meet the state's arbitrary production standards, even if the hogs were raised outside of California. 

AFBF President Zippy Duvall says, "Proposition 12's misguided approach will ultimately cost every family through higher food prices." The National Cattlemen's Beef Association also supports AFBF and NPPC. NCBA Vice President of Government Affairs Ethan Lane says, "While this case is not focused on cattle producers, the precedent set by the court will determine all producers' ability to engage in interstate commerce." 

Earlier this year, NCBA filed an amicus brief before the court arguing that California's mandates on livestock production methods violated the dormant commerce clause of the Constitution.

Agriculture groups argued against California's Proposition 12 to the Supreme Court Tuesday. The American Farm Bureau Federation and National Pork Producers Council challenged the ability of one state to set agricultural production standards for the entire country. California's Proposition 12 law bans the sale of pork from hogs that don't meet the state's arbitrary production standards, even if the hogs were raised outside of California. AFBF President Zippy Duvall says, "Proposition 12's misguided approach will ultimately cost every family through higher food prices." The National Cattlemen's Beef Association also supports AFBF and NPPC. NCBA Vice President of Government Affairs Ethan Lane says, "While this case is not focused on cattle producers, the precedent set by the court will determine all producers' ability to engage in interstate commerce." Earlier this year, NCBA filed an amicus brief before the court arguing that California's mandates on livestock production methods violated the dormant commerce clause of the Constitution.

Ag groups argue against Prop 12 in Supreme Court

The nation’s average gas price climbed for the third straight week, rising 13.8 cents from a week ago to $3.92 per gallon. The national average is up 22.5 cents from a month ago and 67.0 cents per gallon higher than a year ago. 

The national average price of diesel increased 18.0 cents in the last week to $5.04 per gallon. OPEC+ decided to cut oil production by two million barrels a day recently, causing an oil price surge of 20 percent, largely the reason for the increase in fuel prices. 

However, some refinery issues that increased prices appear to be improving in the West and Great Lakes. GasBuddy’s Patrick De Haan says, “prices in those two regions are likely to inch down, even with OPEC’s decision, as the drop in wholesale prices has offset the rise due to the production cut.” According to GasBuddy, U.S. retail gasoline demand fell last week by 0.3 percent.

The nation’s average gas price climbed for the third straight week, rising 13.8 cents from a week ago to $3.92 per gallon. The national average is up 22.5 cents from a month ago and 67.0 cents per gallon higher than a year ago. The national average price of diesel increased 18.0 cents in the last week to $5.04 per gallon. OPEC+ decided to cut oil production by two million barrels a day recently, causing an oil price surge of 20 percent, largely the reason for the increase in fuel prices. However, some refinery issues that increased prices appear to be improving in the West and Great Lakes. GasBuddy’s Patrick De Haan says, “prices in those two regions are likely to inch down, even with OPEC’s decision, as the drop in wholesale prices has offset the rise due to the production cut.” According to GasBuddy, U.S. retail gasoline demand fell last week by 0.3 percent.

National average fuel prices edge higher again

The Mosaic Company recently announced that North American Phosphates was negatively impacted by damage caused by Hurricane Ian. Significant flooding and high winds were experienced throughout central Florida during the storm, and this caused modest damage to Mosaic Company facilities and supporting infrastructure.

 Early assessments indicate phosphate production could be down by approximately 200,000-250,000 metric tons, split roughly evenly between the third and fourth quarters of 2022. Repairs are expected to be completed over the next couple of weeks. In addition to production impacts, the timing of shipments was also affected by the storm. 

Phosphates sales volumes in the third quarter are now expected to total 1.60-1.65 million metric tons, as port and rail closures delayed late third quarter shipments to October. Mosaic plans to provide further updates when it reports third quarter results. The Mosaic company produces fertilizers in West Central Florida, where Hurricane Ian made landfall late last month.

The Mosaic Company recently announced that North American Phosphates was negatively impacted by damage caused by Hurricane Ian. Significant flooding and high winds were experienced throughout central Florida during the storm, and this caused modest damage to Mosaic Company facilities and supporting infrastructure. Early assessments indicate phosphate production could be down by approximately 200,000-250,000 metric tons, split roughly evenly between the third and fourth quarters of 2022. Repairs are expected to be completed over the next couple of weeks. In addition to production impacts, the timing of shipments was also affected by the storm. Phosphates sales volumes in the third quarter are now expected to total 1.60-1.65 million metric tons, as port and rail closures delayed late third quarter shipments to October. Mosaic plans to provide further updates when it reports third quarter results. The Mosaic company produces fertilizers in West Central Florida, where Hurricane Ian made landfall late last month.

Mosaic Company announces Hurricane Ian's impact on its fertilizer producer

Plant-based food is a hot market, but plant-based meat alternative is not, according to a recent study by Deloitte Insights. The researchers say there are many contributing factors, including supply chain problems and a tough comparison point from an impressive prior year. 

However, data from Deloitte's Future of Fresh survey suggests three consumer-driven reasons for the current stagnation. The addressable market may be more limited than many thought. Dramatically improved taste in recent years unlocked new interest, but the portion of the population open to trying and repeat buying it may already have reached a saturation point. 

With inflation, fewer people are willing to pay a price premium. Willingness to pay a premium for plant-based alternative meat dropped nine percentage points from last year. Finally, some assumed benefits are being questioned by consumers. Even buyers of plant-based alternative meat are changing their views on some of its attributes. The biggest change is in health perceptions.

Plant-based food is a hot market, but plant-based meat alternative is not, according to a recent study by Deloitte Insights. The researchers say there are many contributing factors, including supply chain problems and a tough comparison point from an impressive prior year. However, data from Deloitte's Future of Fresh survey suggests three consumer-driven reasons for the current stagnation. The addressable market may be more limited than many thought. Dramatically improved taste in recent years unlocked new interest, but the portion of the population open to trying and repeat buying it may already have reached a saturation point. With inflation, fewer people are willing to pay a price premium. Willingness to pay a premium for plant-based alternative meat dropped nine percentage points from last year. Finally, some assumed benefits are being questioned by consumers. Even buyers of plant-based alternative meat are changing their views on some of its attributes. The biggest change is in health perceptions.