First, an inventory of 87.2 million is the smallest cattle inventory number going back to 1951. Of that Beef cows, at 28.2 million head, were down 2% from a year ago. Beef replacement heifers, at 4.86 million head, were down 1% from a year ago.
The 2023 calf crop, at 33.593 million, is the smallest calf crop on record. [READ MORE…]
I see this action as a big loss for the formerly known as 2023 but now we are hoping for the 2024 Farm Bill. We really needed to see the fiscal budget solved and off the future docket entirely in order to open up the wavelengths for meaningful Farm Bill conversations and attention. [READ MORE…]
One piece of legislation that is receiving positive vibes from both sides of the aisle is an interest to better help rural America with its lack of childcare. The bipartisan, bicameral Expanding Childcare in Rural America (ECRA) Act of 2023 aims to improve the availability and quality, and lower the cost, of childcare in agricultural and rural communities. [READ MORE…]
About 84 percent of all U.S. farm households earn the majority of their total household income from off-farm sources and often use off-farm income to cover some portion of farm expenses. While self-employment and wage/salary jobs are the primary sources of off-farm income for farm households, unearned off- farm income sources provide a significant share of off-farm income relative to total off-farm income. [READ MORE…]
Heading into the new year there is no doubt that farm and ranch country will have their eye on Washington DC pressing their lawmakers to finish the task at hand, the next Farm Bill. But that may be too tall of a challenge given the current political climate. [READ MORE…]
Before the House left for Christmas break, they did pass legislation that effects the nation’s school lunch program. According to House Ag Committee Chairman, GT Thompson, along with 329 of his colleagues, voted in favor of H.R. 1147, the Whole Milk for Healthy Kids Act. This legislation, which passed the House with overwhelming bipartisan support, will restore the option of whole milk in school nutrition programs. [READ MORE…]
Before the House left for Christmas break, they did pass legislation that effects the nation’s school lunch program. According to House Ag Committee Chairman, GT Thompson, along with 329 of his colleagues, voted in favor of H.R. 1147, the Whole Milk for Healthy Kids Act. This legislation, which passed the House with overwhelming bipartisan support, will restore the option of whole milk in school nutrition programs. [READ MORE…]
Looks like more than American cattle producers have beef with USDA’s recent announcement to open our borders and market to Paraguay beef. Now, Congress has stepped in. [READ MORE…]
It continues to be noted that on a global playing field, the United States ag producers seem to be the black sheep. While we are a ag production powerhouse, those who hold power over seem to wield it in the direction of other nations who are allowed to dump their products into our markets, sometimes without distinction to American consumers, like in the case of beef; yet close the doors to our products such as the case for dairy. [READ MORE…]
As consumers empty their carts onto the checkout lines at their local grocery stores and supermarkets this year, they’re likely to see increased costs for certain goods. To make matters worse, little of that increase is being passed on to America’s family farmers and ranchers. [READ MORE…]
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