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Food and agriculture generate 20 percent of all U.S. economic activity
Every year, the Feeding the Economy report provides a comprehensive look at the full economic footprint of U.S. food and agriculture. Among the report’s biggest takeaways is that food and agriculture support $10.4 trillion in total U.S. economic output, representing about 20 percent of all economic activity. The sector supports almost 29 million jobs, or roughly 30 percent of total U.S. employment, even though on-farm jobs account for less than two percent. Food and agriculture generate over...
USDA proposes to remove flavored milk from schools
Last week, we discussed how the USDA proposes cutting the amount of dairy and milk provided under the WIC program. However, the proposals on dairy do not end there. You may not want to hear this for those school-aged kids, but the USDA is now proposing that chocolate...
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 percent, or $19.5...
U.S. beef exports set annual records as pork finishes strong
U.S. beef exports set annual records for both volume and value in 2022, according to year-end data released by USDA and compiled by the U.S. Meat Export Federation (USMEF). Pork exports finished lower year-over-year, but export value was the third largest on record,...
Tractor rollovers remain leading cause of fatalities in U.S. agriculture
There have been an untold number of advancements made in agricultural safety since farming first began in the United States. However, tractor rollovers remain a danger in agriculture despite safety measures available that can prevent injuries from tractor...
Senators reintroduce bill to defend cattle producers
Senators Jon Tester, Chuck Grassley, and Mike Rounds reintroduced their ?Meat Packing Special Investigator Act? to fight consolidation and enforce the national anti-trust laws. The bill would create the ?Office of the Special Investigator for Competition Matters?...
America will be eating a lot of chicken wings during the Super Bowl
While Chiefs and Eagles fans fight this weekend over who has the better team, the rest of the country will watch over a plate of chicken wings- 1.45 billion of them, according to projections released by the National Chicken Council (NCC). That's an average of four...
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More Ag News
“Surprises in soybeans” the story of this growing season
In row crop agriculture, farmers generally know which diseases and pests they will likely face in their fields during the growing season. However, this season has managed to deliver some surprises to soybean growers. That is Ryan Dunsbergan soybean product manager...
National Cattle Congress queen reflects on 2023 fair season
Wrapping up Iowa’s County Fair and Festival season with our final royalty visit, always a popular attraction and feature at Iowa’s County Fairs and Festivals. Emily Ingalls is serving as National Cattle Congress Queen this year from Van Horn, and she says it's been an...
IDALS to offer crop insurance discount program
Iowa Secretary of Agriculture Mike Naig announced today that the Iowa Department of Agriculture and Land Stewardship will again offer its crop insurance discount program for acres that are planted with cover crops. Farmers and landowners who plant fall cover crops...
Sec Naig talks beginning of 2023 harvest season
With the coming flip of the calendar pages and the warm weather we are seeing for the next few days, it is a safe bet that we are going to see harvesting ramp up in earnest. We know there have been combines out here and there, but as Mother Nature is allowing a break...
USDA conducting trade mission in Chile
USDA is conducting an agribusiness trade mission in Santiago, Chile, this week, bringing a host of food and agriculture industry leaders to the growing export market. Tuesday’s itinerary featured the Espacio trade show, which focuses on the hospitality and retail...
