The director of communications for Indiana Pork says an ongoing partnership with a minor league baseball team is helping supply local food banks with protein. Jeanette Merritt says the organization has donated more than 5,000 meals to the Fort Wayne community in the first two years of the joint effort. “We anticipate that we’re going…… Continue Reading
Broiler placements stay ahead of 2024 pace
2025 broiler hatchery numbers remain on pace to top 2024. The USDA says 252.107 million broiler-type eggs were set into incubators last week, falling 800,000 from the previous week, but rising 1% from a year ago, with average hatchability 79.1%. 194.485 million broiler-type chicks entered meat production, up 750,000 on the week and 1% on…… Continue Reading
Red meat production dips on slower slaughter
Red meat production last month was impacted by slower slaughter rates. The USDA says commercial red meat production during May was 4.376 billion pounds, a decrease of 5% on the year, with beef down 9% at 2.123 billion on an 11% drop in the cattle slaughter at 2.449 million head due to tighter available supplies,…… Continue Reading
Michigan-grown foods in schools could see less support from state
Incentives for schools to purchase Michigan-grown foods are at risk as state lawmakers work toward passing the budget for next year. Senate Natural Resources and Agriculture Committee Chair Sue Shink tells Brownfield a lot of projects are under review as uncertainty in Congress has put more than 40 percent of the state’s budget in jeopardy.…… Continue Reading
Climate change cuts global crop yields, even when farmers adapt
An assistant professor of agricultural and consumer economics at the University of Illinois says a new study shows the global food system faces growing risks from climate change, even as farmers seek to adapt. Andrew Hultgren, lead study author, tells Brownfield, “Adaptation is really important.” He says, “It mitigates about 34% of losses from climate…… Continue Reading
Immigration enforcement contradictions raise concerns
Leaders from agriculture and food industry groups are calling on the Trump administration to support immigration policies that protect skilled workers. During a call with reporters Tuesday, Executive Director of Dairy Producers of New Mexico Beverly Idsinga described a farm’s I-9 audit earlier this month that resulted in the removal of more than half of…… Continue Reading
Ethanol industry riding upswing
The chief economist for the Renewable Fuels Association says the ethanol industry is firing on all cylinders. Scott Richman tells Brownfield, “We’ve had the administration come along and provide waivers allowing year-round sales of E15. And then on the export front, by far record exports this year. Last year they were about 10% over the…… Continue Reading
Ethanol production recedes from record levels
Ethanol production backed off a little bit last week. The U.S. Energy Information Administration says production averaged 1.109 million barrels per day, 11,000 lower than the previous week’s all-time high, but 52,000 higher than a year ago. That hold over year ago levels was partially due to a combination of demand expectations and good returns.…… Continue Reading
Ag industry mixed on U.S. Senate’s approach to SAF tax credits
The CEO of the Renewable Fuels Association says the U.S. Senate is taking a different approach to Sustainable Aviation Fuel tax credits in its budget proposal compared to the U.S. House and neither are perfect. “This thing is a long way from being done and there’s still a lot of differences to iron out.” Geoff…… Continue Reading
The impact of tariffs on young, beginning farmers
A farmer from eastern Iowa says he’s concerned about the impact tariffs could have on future generations of farmers and ranchers. Matthew Willimack is a sixth-generation farmer from DeWitt and tells Brownfield the tariff disputes have created uncertainty for the industry, especially for young and beginning farmers. “Can we withstand this? Yes. How long? That’s…… Continue Reading
