August 29, 2025

Episode Transcript

Speaker 1 (00:00):
Goo Ahod Morning, Valley. This is Aglife. My name is
Bob Quinn, with you for the next hour talking about
agricultural production here in the valley and all across the country.
We start off with a look at the August Catalan
feed Report.

Speaker 2 (00:10):
More sides of a contracting beef herd from USDA's August
Catalog Feed Report. Agriculture Department Livestock catalyst Anthony Fisher provides
the numbers.

Speaker 3 (00:21):
On August first, the number of Catalan feed and US
feed lots of a thousand headed greater was ten point
nine to two million head, which was about two percent
below August first of twenty twenty four. During July, producers
placed about one point five million head of cattle on feed,
which was about six percent plow a year earlier, and
feed lots marketed over one point seven million head during July,

(00:42):
which was about six percent below a year earlier.

Speaker 4 (00:44):
Yet, Fisher points.

Speaker 3 (00:45):
Out placements were on the higher end of expectations, and
we're entering a time of the year seasonally when the
inventory of Catalan feed is low, and that's reflected in
the August first number, which is the lowest level of
twenty twenty.

Speaker 2 (00:56):
Four, with producers taking advantage of higher prices and feed
lots as they prepare for the fall calf run.

Speaker 3 (01:02):
So despite the limited supply of cattle, there's still a
strong pull into the feed lots due to the high
prices for feeder animals, with.

Speaker 2 (01:09):
Lower placements reflecting limited supply of cattle and feed lots
down two percent from twenty twenty four according to the
July forecast.

Speaker 3 (01:18):
In conjunction with only slight signs of heffer retention from
the July Cattle on Feed Report, this has resulted in
a smaller pipeline available cattle despite a strong pull into
feed lots this year, as evidenced by record high feeder prices.

Speaker 4 (01:30):
As for market tagues, we're.

Speaker 3 (01:32):
Still seeing strong demand for beef as evidenced by high
wholesale beef prices, which is ultimately supporting the FEDS tier
price prices of fed cattle. They currently sit around two
hundred and forty dollars to two hundred and forty five
dollars per hundred weight, which is an increase from the
start of July and it highlights the low supply of
animals on feed in terms of the percentage of cattle
on feed. For more than one hundred and fifty days.
We're seeing that percentage declined seasonally as marketing's outpaced placements

(01:55):
until the fall. Calf Front having said that the number
of cattle on feed more than one hundred and fifty
days is still high historically. Is the pace of marketings
and slaughter has sloaded.

Speaker 2 (02:03):
A broad bade reporting for the US Department of Agriculture
in Washington, d C.

Speaker 1 (02:08):
More farm news coming up. You're listening to Aglife Bob
when there was some farm news this morning. Friends. Well,
it's a challenging time in US agriculture, and the dairy
sector is a good example. Finding enough labor for US
dairy farms can be an almost impossible task because the
program doesn't supply workers year round like it does for
come out of the farming. Kim Skelly, a New York

(02:30):
dairy farmer, says his States dairy operators face another challenge.

Speaker 5 (02:34):
Farm workers have the right to unionize in New York,
and I guess one concern we have especially with that
as there's a card check voting system where cards can
be collected, where somebody can sign dues authorization card at
any time and over the next year from that time
it could be filed for signifying the union has been
farmed on that farm, and there's a lot of problems

(02:55):
with that system, and we would like to be like
all the rest of the unionized world where they have
a seat ballot, which seems like a much fairer process
for the farm workers as well as the farm owner.

Speaker 1 (03:05):
It's a system that needs to be changed as quickly
as possible.

Speaker 5 (03:08):
That's something we'd like to see legislative change to. Or
the minimum leave a copy of that card that they
sign dated on the day that they sign it, which
is not being done at this point either.

Speaker 1 (03:18):
Kim Skelly, dairy farmer from New York State with US
well friends. Just days ahead of the typical US exports
season for soybeans, China, the world's top soybean importer, has
not bought a single cargo ships worth of soybeans. At
the Farm Progress Show, Caleb Raglan, president of the American
Soybean Association, said, trade is obviously a huge concern for
US soybean farmers.

Speaker 6 (03:39):
We're obviously in a very difficult spot with China right now.
They're twenty five percent of US soybean demand, and right
now we have zero sales on the books due to
this trade board we're in and we are working tirelessly
both as farmer leaders and also our wonderful staff to
convey the message of how important trade is for our

(04:03):
soybean farm families across this country.

Speaker 1 (04:05):
That's not the only policy item the ASA has on
its to do list.

Speaker 6 (04:09):
We're also working on regulatory issues, biofuels, tax law, you
name it. We have a whole lot of top issues.
But trade is certainly top of mind at the moment.

Speaker 1 (04:19):
It's especially important. As Ragland said, soybean harvest is coming
up quickly.

Speaker 7 (04:23):
On my farm.

Speaker 6 (04:24):
We didn't get into that where soybeans corn and winter weeak. Ever,
soybean I grow is double crop, which is a bit unique.
But corn shelling has started in our area. I hope
shell corn next week. And there's been a trend in
recent years to plant some soybeans first. The guys are
growing full season and there are soybeans being combined an
hour south of me now and a lot of them

(04:45):
as you get down into Tennessee and know farther. But
soybean harvest is coming in September.

Speaker 1 (04:50):
Caleb Ragland, Kentucky Farmer, President of the American Soybean Association
well friend zig Labor continues to be a struggle for
the US farming community, not only from a perspective, but
also a lack of available workers. Glenn Woggan has more.

Speaker 8 (05:04):
Ryan Cyril, President into the Idaho Farm Bureau Federation, says
one of the biggest issues that needs to be addressed
is the lack of year round guest worker. Currently, the
HVA program does not work for dairy, livestock or any
other commodity that is not seasonal. Not only is the
lack of workers for rustrating, but Cyril noted the lack
of movement in DC is a difficult pill to swallow.

Speaker 9 (05:24):
We worked on legislation and worked on one and so
as we try to work to secure borders, and I'm
very much in favor of securing the border, get the
criminals out of everything that was infiltrating our country. But
we have to have people in certain jobs to do
those jobs. And while Americans used to do more of

(05:45):
those jobs, today that there's less interest in doing those jobs.

Speaker 8 (05:49):
Those critical of the egg industry say farmers and producers
just don't want to pay their workers. Cyril says that's
not the case.

Speaker 9 (05:55):
Getting them here, getting them home, it equates to twenty
five dollars an hour. And when you don't have commodity
prices that you can control, I think they're worth that.
I just don't know how to pay him if I
can't pay the bank back because of low price commodities.
And so it's that circle of understanding that we can't
produce food all of the food that we need to

(06:16):
by automation, nor can we afford it in many areas
as well.

Speaker 8 (06:20):
Serial stress. The farming community, not only in Idaho, but
nationwide needs to have some kind of program, whether it's
new or an adjusted H two A that allows for
a year round worker. Yeah, the lack of movement by
Congress doesn't benefit the egg industry, it doesn't benefit workers,
and it just creates a no win situation. I'm Glenn
Wogan reporting.

Speaker 1 (06:39):
Farm news this morning. You're listening to AAG Life.

Speaker 10 (06:42):
It's another agnews update. Ethanol production climbs while exports surge Midsummer.
More after this, here's farmer and landowner John Prue.

Speaker 11 (06:54):
We purchased the land about the three years ago and
there was an old farmstead on there with trees. You're
going to clear the Landswich firm through it. We thought
we knew where the pipe was so we can call
to get it located. The work on our property led
to the damage of a light crude pipeline. Fortunately no
one was hurt, but it could have been much worse.

Speaker 12 (07:10):
Never assumed the location or depth of underground lines. Always
call eight one to one or visit clickbefore youdig dot
com before you start work a message from the pipeline
operators for egg safety campaign.

Speaker 10 (07:21):
Ethanol production rose to a six week hi for the
week that ended July twenty fifth, reaching one point one
million barrels per day. That's one point seven percent higher
than the previous week and two point one percent above
the three year average, and that's according to EIA data
analyzed by the Renewable Fuels Association. Though output slightly below

(07:43):
last year's level, the four week average now stands at
an annualized rate of sixteen point seven to one billion gallons.
Stocks climbed the twenty four point seven million barrels highest
since mid May, while gasoline supplied used to measure fuel
demand rows two point one percent to nine point one
five million barrels per day. Blender inputs ticked up slightly,

(08:08):
as did ethanol exports, which jump forty two point six percent,
now an estimated one hundred and fifty four thousand barrels
per day. For contexts US ethanol exports topping one billion
gallons just halfway through the new marketing year. USDA expects
a record one point eight five billion gallons in exports
by year end. Meanwhile, no ethanol imports recorded for over

(08:33):
a year. It's another agnews update.

Speaker 13 (08:37):
If this were just any door, and this were just
any ignition connected to just any transmission in just any vehicle,
then perhaps it would be okay to buy it from
just anyone. But this is not just any car. It's
a certified pre own Mercedes Benz. Every detail has been
inspected and road tested by highly skilled Mercedes Benz technicians,

(08:58):
and it's all backed by an unlimited mileage warranty for
up to five years, which makes the decision of where
to buy one simple if you authorized for Saves Bend.

Speaker 10 (09:05):
Steel American Cattle News Major changes coming to USDA will
have more after this.

Speaker 12 (09:16):
Here's farmer and landowner John Prue.

Speaker 11 (09:18):
We purchased the land about three years ago and there
was an old farmstead on there with trees and you're
going to clear the lands. We could farm through it.
We thought we knew where the pipe was, so we
didn't call to get it located. The work on our
property led to the damage of a light crued pipeline.
Fortunately no one was hurt, but it could have been
much worse.

Speaker 12 (09:34):
Never assumed the location or depth of underground lines. Always
call eight one to one or visit clickbefore youdig dot
com before you start work. A message from the pipeline
operators for egg safety campaign.

Speaker 10 (09:45):
What could you do with four billion dollars? What could
USDA do for four billion dollars? USDA's Deputy Secretary Stephen
Vaden before the Senate agg can on their reorganization plan.

Speaker 14 (10:03):
We do have an estimate, Senator, regarding how much, at
a minimum, we expect to save once costs are taken
into account, and that's approximately four billion dollars. How did
we get to that number. We got to that number
by looking into account the head count reductions as a
result of the deferred resignation program. Those alone will save
the Department of Agriculture approximately one point nine billion dollars net.

(10:25):
You've mentioned the state of our buildings and you are
unfortunately correct, particularly when it comes to the National Capital
Region and you're looking at the four buildings that the
Secretary's Memorandum proposes to vacate, the value of the deferred
maintenance on those buildings. A liability on USDA is two
point two billion with a B dollars hard to conceive,

(10:46):
but that is the calculation when you add those four
buildings together of how much maintenance they need to bring
them up to modern standards. And so when you add
those two sums together of expected savings, you're starting out
with more than four billion dollars. That is before we
take into account the lower cost of living for employees,

(11:06):
the lower lease rates that we will have to pay
in the five hubs. Of course, the full value of
that will only know when the plan is finalized after
consultation with Congress, but we start out at a baseline
of four billion dollars worth of savings.

Speaker 10 (11:21):
Many will relocate to Raleigh, Kansas City, Indianapolis, Sport Collins,
and Salt Lake City. American Cattle News.

Speaker 4 (11:33):
This is Dairy Radio.

Speaker 15 (11:35):
Now it's time for our feet for on Friday. It's
doctor Mike Hutchins, Professor Emeritus from the University of Illinois.
Hello Mike Well, welcome to today's feed form, and our topic
will be an update on bird flu and certainly of
interest to consumers and dairy farmers around the United States.
Some of you will remember back in January twenty twenty
four in the southwestern part of the United States, we

(11:56):
heard obsertions of college with high fever, declining rumination, and
dry matter intakes which led to a reduction and milk
production and an increase in mass titus. And then we
have something called influenza E, which is termed here in
the dairy cattle's H five and one here in dairy cattle.
And of course this influenza will change a bit, and

(12:17):
so we have other variants as well, known as B three,
period thirteen, D one, period one, and BIA. So certainly
this is an on farm problem here and consumers read
about this on the national news and radio as well.
The good news is, unlike a poultry which have to
be destroyed, these collegs will recover in two to three

(12:38):
weeks on the dairy farm and it can't.

Speaker 16 (12:40):
Affect it nowhere. Some five percent of the herd as
far as that goes, can also spill out from dairy
cattle to people actually swine and cats on the farm
in the area as well, and of course from birds
we mentioned a bit earlier. It can spread by cattle movement.
We saw that happening from Texas cattle going to miss again.

(13:00):
We also can see it in the milking process during
the actual milking of the dairy cow. At this point,
the traffic on the farm could actually bring that to
the farms, such as the malk caller, a veterinarian, feet, salesman,
and visitors. Birds, of course are the big vectors, and
the big three here in the US are starlings, sparrows,
and pigeons can really transmitt it equally as well. California

(13:24):
is the state that had the biggest HIFP basically seven
hundred and forty seven herds in California, and for our listeners,
California in the twenty twenty four census had nine hundred
and ninety five herds, so you can see about three
quarters of the herds are impacted there. In California, also
forty one poultry facilities and thirty eight people became ill
with that as well. Those people have a mild illness

(13:46):
that they can recover from very easily. The other state
that had the next highest number would be Colorado with
sixty four herds. The total in the United States is
nine hundred and seventy two herds, and just give you
a feel how many of that compared to the census
number of may be more than twenty four thousand herds
here in the US as well in California, it did
have a marked effect on milk heield. Milk production went

(14:07):
down six or eight percent here in California and did
have small impacts on pricing of milk. We also have
programs available to dairy farmers. One is one called by
the USDA called Secure Milk Supply Plan that gives guidelines
to try to prevent exposure to it and if it
happens on your farm, what you should be doing. Also

(14:28):
available in the US is a voluntary testing of milk
to determine if you haven't in your herd. There is
some national bulk tank testing going on to get a
feel of what states are being affected. Surprising to us
Bill is that, believe it or not, Illinois Wisconsin has
not had a case as of today, but certainly our
neighbors to the west of US Iowa and Minnesota and

(14:49):
Michigan have as far as that goes as well, and
there's also some development of a vaccination program. So our
TAKEO message for today is number one pasturization. Milk is
safe where listeners. If you're drinking raw mounth there is
a small risk there. Beef for safe, especially when you've
cooked it properly, and on farm tools are available for
the people. Thanks, have a great day.

Speaker 10 (15:10):
Thanks Mike.

Speaker 15 (15:10):
That's doctor Mike Cutchens, Professor emeritus from the University of Illinois,
featured every Friday here on our feed Forum Friday on
Dairy Radio.

Speaker 2 (15:17):
Now, producers who suffered qualified natural disaster related crop losses
in twenty twenty three and twenty four can still apply
for assistance under USDA's Supplemental Disaster Relief Program.

Speaker 17 (15:29):
We have made this process as easy as possible and
streamlining the application. We mailed pre filled applications using data
already on file from the non insured Disaster Assistance Program
and from RMA, which has the crop insurance data.

Speaker 2 (15:41):
Farm Production and Conservation Deputy Under Secretary Brook Appleton says
those who did not receive a pre filled application can't
go to their local Farm Service Agency office to request
this form. Stage one SdRP funding sign ups for indemnified
producers began at July, with Stage two sigeups for eligible
shallow or uncovered losses to begin SubTime this fall. Ditional
details about the Supplemental Disaster Relief Program are available at www.

(16:05):
Dot FSA, dot USDA, dot gov, slash Resources, slash Programs.

Speaker 4 (16:11):
I'm Rodbain, reporting.

Speaker 2 (16:12):
For the US Department of Agriculture in Washington, DC.

Speaker 18 (16:19):
Aments have deeply moved into the non dairy milk category,
and some retail stores are selling a similar walnut product,
but pistachios have remained out of that category for consumers.
I'm Patrick Kavanaugh with the California tree Nut Report, part
of the vastag Information Network. Daniel Sumner is a UCNR
Distinguished Professor of Agricultural Economics that you see Davis. He

(16:41):
comments on the pistachio's unique position.

Speaker 19 (16:43):
And we haven't as say some of the other tree
nuts in either some of the other crops. We don't
see pistachios competing with the dairy markets or with the
beef markets, yet they are still primarily a snack food market.
You don't see the pistachio flowers, for example, like you
can go to the supermarket and biolminflour. You don't go
to the supermarket at least most of us and see

(17:04):
pistachio flour being an almost standard item these days.

Speaker 18 (17:07):
And again, you don't see pistachios in the milk department
as of yet. Anyways, we've gone to oat milk.

Speaker 19 (17:13):
My daughters tell me soy milk is long gone and
now it's oat milk or other things. But you don't
see pistachio milk there. And there may be some characteristics
of trying to get to that product that get in
the way. And it's also frankly, pistachios are relatively expensive,
and so that would make it tougher for them to
price themselves well.

Speaker 18 (17:32):
That hustly is a problem in many orchards. So far
only crop protection products can control it. Use carefully and
contact your past control advisor for more information.

Speaker 20 (17:42):
You've probably been told that to reach a millennial farmer
you have to go digital hmmm, Facebook, Vimeo, YouTube, Instagram, Pinterest,
LinkedIn and online publication or maybe a podcast hmm, but
which one? Oh, and how receptive is this age group
to your sales pitch toduring non work social time? Maybe

(18:02):
the best place to reach a farmer with a farming
solution message is when they are well quite frankly farming.
You know, it's easy for us to find them during
the day, as most farmers are behind the wheel of
a pickup truck or farm equipment with the radio on.
Listening to this station featuring the AG Information Network News.

(18:23):
If you'd like to deliver information about your terrific product
or service, give us a call and we'll connect you
directly with our community of loyal farmer listeners. Reach real
farmers right here, right now, as they listen to what
is important to their farm operation. They trust us, They'll
trust you with the AG Information Network. I'm Patrick Kavanaugh,
I'm Dwayne Murley, and you're listening to AGG Live.

Speaker 2 (18:46):
While domestic milk production is expected up in twenty twenty
five and the following year according to USDA, so is
consumer demand as seed in forecasted exports, World Agricultural Outlook
board chair Bark Jacketowski.

Speaker 21 (19:00):
We still continue to see very strong export competitiveness for
US dairy products. A lot of strength in both butter
and cheese so fat basis exports, as well as non
fat drying milk and way so supporting those skim solid
basis exports.

Speaker 2 (19:16):
A slight rise in skib solid imports for both years
is also forecasted. Minimal changes were reported in the milk
product and class categories for this month. The result no
change in the twenty twenty five all milk price of
twenty two dollars per hundred weight at a one quarter
rise in the twenty twenty six all milk price forecast
to twenty one dollars ninety cents per hundred weight.

Speaker 21 (19:38):
US milk production overall continues to grow. We raised our
production forecast for both twenty twenty five and twenty twenty
six based on recent data from Milk Production Report showing
higher cow numbers, and we also raised milk production for
cow as well for both twenty twenty five and twenty
twenty six. Those changes translate into about a nine hundred

(19:59):
million pound increase in production for twenty twenty five and
a one point three billion pound increase in milk production
for twenty twenty six. Those are just the changes we
made this year. Year over year, twenty twenty six, milk
production would be up about one point two billion pounds
at two hundred and thirty point four billion pounds next year.

(20:21):
Lower feed costs are also anticipated to support a higher
output per pow. Regarding dairy product prices, just a four
cent reduction in our butter price forecast for twenty twenty
five this month, down to two dollars and fifty two
cents per pound, but that's coming down from a relatively
high price, and we anticipate our rebound in the strengthening

(20:43):
of the butter price into twenty twenty six, where we
raised our butter price forecast by two cents per pound
two two dollars and fifty five cents per pound. Similarly,
non fat dry milk, we made a small adjustment increased
our twenty twenty five price forecast by a penny to
a dollar twenty seven per pound. Twenty twenty six, we
pulled that up by two cents to a dollar twenty

(21:03):
five per pound. Then, regarding the class prices and all milk,
not much going on. There no change to our all
milk price forecast for May twenty five. It remains at
twenty two dollars per one hundred weight, But for twenty
twenty six we raised our all milk price forecast by
twenty five cents per hundred weight. To twenty one dollars
and ninety cents per one hundredweight downs is ten cents
per one hundred eight year over year.

Speaker 2 (21:25):
Rod Bane reporting for the US Department of Agriculture in Washington,
d C.

Speaker 22 (21:33):
This is the Agricultural Law and Tax Report. I'm Roger McGowen.
Carbon dioxide is a vital component of plant light. Through
the process of photosynthesis, Plants absorbed CO two from the
atmosphere and converted into sugars that fuel their growth. Without
CO two, there would be no plant growth and no agriculture.
I'll be back in a moment to discuss.

Speaker 7 (21:52):
Improve nutrient efficient shape and maximize your valuable fertilizer investment
with resurge from Helena and exclusive low dust humic Granule.
Visit Helena agrip dot com to learn more. For the
latest in farm income taxation and farmer state and business
planning for your operation. Subscribe to mcowenagg lawantax dot substack

(22:13):
dot com. You'll find videos, articles, and the monthly Rural
Practice Digest that's Mcowen agglowantax dot substack dot com.

Speaker 22 (22:21):
Increased levels of atmospheric CO two enhances plant growth, a
phenomenon known as the CO two fertilization effect. In controlled
environments like greenhouses, farmers often elevate CO two levels to
boost crop yields. Studies have shown that higher CO two
levels can lead to faster growth rates, larger leaves, in
greater fruit and seed production in many crops. Moreover, elevated
CO two can improve water use efficiency in plants. With

(22:44):
more CO two available, plants can reduce the opening of
their stomata, which helps conserve water. This is especially valuable
in drop prone areas. However, while CO two supports plant growth,
it's not the only factor in farming success. But on balance,
CO two is an irreplaceable component of plant biology and
a natural ally of agriculture. Understanding its role helps underscore
the complex relationship between farming and the atmosphere, where both

(23:07):
benefits and challenges exist. Unfortunately, much of the present regulation
of CO two fails to account for its benefits to agriculture.
This has been the Agricultural Law and Tax Report. I'm
Roger Mcowen.

Speaker 4 (23:25):
You've been listening to AG Live. My name's Dwayne Murley,
and thanks for beginning with us today.

Speaker 23 (23:32):
It's time for California agg today on the ag Information Network.
I am Hailey's ship. Farmers know it better than anyone.
Costs keep climbing, even as praises for what you grow
or raise keeps slipping. The American Farm Bureau's latest Market
Intel Reports, built on USDA's twenty twenty five Farm Production
Expenditures Annual Summary, puts numbers to what producers already feel.

(23:56):
In twenty twenty four, US farm spending dipped just under
one percent from the record high that was set in
twenty twenty three, totaling four hundred and seventy seven point
six billion dollars. On paper, that might sound like relief,
but most folks aren't feeling it. The average farm still
spent more than two hundred and fifty four thousand dollars,

(24:16):
up thirty three percent from a decade ago. Lower inflation
helped to cool supply costs a bit, and cheaper feed
prices gave livestock producers breathing room. But the bigger picture
is tough. Crop prices are sliding faster than expenses, widdening
a gap that's been growing five years. It may sound
like a drone we keep beating, but the prospective matters.
Interest expenses are up forty six percent in the past

(24:39):
decade with inflation, weaker exports, and shrinking commodity prices. Analysts
will be watching the fed's September sixteenth and seventeenth meeting
for any hint of relief.

Speaker 24 (24:51):
Farm work is tough, and so is staying safe on
a road. Every year, accidents happen when tractors and traffic
share the same space. Whether you're behind the wheel of
a tractor or or a car, here's what you need
to remember. Tractors move slower, be patient, don't pass on
hills or curves. Farmers, make sure your slow moving vehicles,
signs and lights are visible and everyone's sailor, especially on

(25:12):
rule roads. One moment a caution can save alike. Let's
work together to keep our roads and our firm stafe.
This message was brought to you by the ag Information Network.

Speaker 20 (25:20):
For over forty years, the AGG Information Network has been
providing news and information for the most important industry in
the world, agriculture. The Egg Information Network gives you worldwide
updates from local producers to regional organizations, from major crops
like wheat and corn, to animal agriculture to specially crops
like apples, almonds, and cherries. We report on stories that

(25:41):
mean the most to you online at aginfo dot net.
The egg Information Network Trusted and transparent journalism lasting for
the next generation.

Speaker 23 (25:49):
This is California agg today on the ag Information Network.
Find more agricultural news at egginfo dot net.

Speaker 1 (25:56):
Bob, when there were some farm us this morning? Friends, Well,
it's a challenging time in US agriculture, and the dairy
sector is a good example. Finding enough labor for US
dairy farms can be an almost impossible task because the
program doesn't supply workers year round like it does for
come out of the farming. Kim Skelly, a New York

(26:17):
dairy farmer, says his States dairy operators face another challenge.

Speaker 5 (26:21):
Farm workers have the right to unionize in New York,
and I guess one concern we have especially with that,
as there's a car check voting system where cards can
be collected where somebody can sign DUTH authorization card at
any time and over the next year from that time
it could be filed for signifying the union has been
formed on that farm. And there's a lot of problems

(26:42):
with that system. And we would like to be like
all the rest of the unionized world, where they have
a secret ballot, which seems like a much fairer process
for the farm workers as well as the farm owner.

Speaker 1 (26:52):
It's a system that needs to be changed as quickly
as possible.

Speaker 5 (26:56):
That's something we'd like to see legislative change to, or
a minimum, leave a copy of that card that they signed,
dated on the day that they sign up, which is
not being done at this point either.

Speaker 1 (27:06):
Kim Skelly, dairy farmer from New York State with us
Well friends. The newest hit in apples is a combination.
Bob Larson has our story well.

Speaker 25 (27:17):
Since its introduction five years ago, the Washington grown Cosmic
Crisp apple has proven itself to be the next big
variety as its popularity grows. Michael Schadler, president of the
Washington Apple Commission, says its increase in volume has been
pretty steady since it first hit the market.

Speaker 26 (27:32):
We're still kind of in the period with Cosmic Crisp
where it really ramped up big on volume and in
almost an unprecedented way over the last five years. So
I think, you know, consumers and the market is still
catching up a little bit on that variety, and once
things catch up, I think it's a variety that will
do well from a market perspective and from a pricing
perspective that we're not quite there yet.

Speaker 25 (27:54):
And Shadler hopes they can also help Cosmic Crisp on
the international side as it continues to increase and volume.

Speaker 26 (28:00):
We really are, from lack of strategic perspective, wanting to
push that variety in the international markets, to introduce it
to consumers because it's such a great eating apple and
I think it ships well. And as we ramp up
volume as an industry continually, because even though it's ramped
up a lot already and it's about tied with Fuji
for the number five variety, we see that continuing to
increase to the point where in the future it's probably

(28:22):
going to be a top three apple for the industry.

Speaker 25 (28:25):
The Cosmic Crisp is a cross between honey Crisp and
enterprise apples, with a similar Christmas but a more balanced
sweetness and tartness and excellent storage qualities.

Speaker 1 (28:35):
Bob Larson reporting well Friends, a lifelong home is one
that meets the needs of any age, no matter what
those needs are. Chad Smith has a report.

Speaker 27 (28:46):
Most houses were designed for young, able bodied adults and
don't meet the needs of older residents or people with disabilities.
Sean das School, Oklahoma State director for AARP, talks about
the biggest accessibility barrier being stairs.

Speaker 28 (29:01):
Having a step free way for getting into or out
of a home can benefit older residents, mothers, pushing strullers
for people who use wheelchairs see your D. Shaped handles
and drawer poles won't catch on clothing and are easier
to grasp the knobs.

Speaker 4 (29:15):
A lever style door handle is.

Speaker 28 (29:17):
Easier to use in a doorknob. It also allows for
using an assistive device such as a can or book
to open the door.

Speaker 27 (29:23):
However, few people have the necessary resources to build a
perfect home. Voscoll said that's where the AARP Home Fit
Guide comes in.

Speaker 28 (29:32):
The reality is few people have the resources to build
a perfect home, but some small, simple and inexpensive changes
can make your home better meet your needs at any age.
The AARP Home Fit Guide has room by room tips
with modifications that can make a home safer, more comfortable,
and a better fit residents of any age.

Speaker 27 (29:50):
The home fit takes the information and resources from the
guide and applies it to your personal space with just
a smartphone.

Speaker 28 (29:58):
Take your smartphone and search home fit ar in your
app store. When you open the app, click the start
new assessment button. From there, you can scan your bathroom, kitchen,
or bedroom, and as the app de texts items in
your room, you don't answerr questions about your setup before
receiving an overall assessment at the end, highlighting doing yourself
items and higher help tasks to break down some of

(30:20):
the barriers to getting started.

Speaker 27 (30:21):
You can access the home fit Guide online at AARP
dot org, forward Slash AARP Live. You can call your
local AARP office to get a paper copy. To Chad
Smith reporting.

Speaker 1 (30:35):
Farm news this morning, you're listening to WAG life.

Speaker 25 (30:39):
Pro for the AAG Information Network. This is your agribusiness update.
Farm groups are warning the White House that the terrafor
is making already high fertilizer prices worse, Politico says. Egg
industry representatives have hesitated to publicly criticize President Trump's tariff policies,
but some have spent recent months quietly lobbying lawmakers and
administration official Since the President took office, the average tariff

(31:02):
rate on all of the key farmer inputs jumped from
point nine percent to twelve point two percent, with some
as high as twenty percent or more. Ex Secretary Brook
Rawlins announced a new directive prioritizing land use efficiency when
evaluating proposals for power generation projects on national forest lands.
The policy strengthens American energy production and reduces reliance on

(31:24):
energy sources from foreign adversaries. The Forest Service will develop
new screening criteria to measure and prioritize the amount of
energy produced per acre of land, while ensuring projects are
consistent with environmental stewardship, multiple use principles, and economic benefits.
California's Central Vallet produces a large number of almonds, and
that area is being invaded by rats. A newsletter from

(31:45):
the Almond Border California so it's a major red infestation
has caused potentially hundreds of millions of dollars in damage
over the past year and could get worse without intervention.
California grows all of the nation's commercially produced almonds and
seventy five percent of the world's almonds.

Speaker 20 (32:00):
Best place to reach a farmer with a farming solution
message is when they're well farming. It's easy to find
them during the day, as most farmers are behind the
wheel of their pickup truck or farm equipment with the
radio on. Listening to this station for the ag Information
Network of the West News. So reach real farmers right here,
right now as they listen to what's important to their

(32:20):
farm operation. Give us a call and we'll connect you
with our local farming community. They trust us, so they'll
trust you. For the last forty years, the AGG Information
Network has been the source of news for farmers and ranchers.
Yet we have never seen such an assault on farming
and our food supply as we do today, from fuel
to fertilizer. Farmers are facing unprecedented economic challenges. This is

(32:43):
why agriculture news that farmers receive comes from the AGG
Information Network, reaching coast to coast, deep roots and farming.
In decades of reporting, the AGG Information Network trusted and
transparent journalism for generations.

Speaker 25 (32:56):
From the EGG Information Network.

Speaker 4 (32:58):
I'm Bob Larson with today agribusiness update.

Speaker 1 (33:01):
Bob went back to wrap up baglife for today friends.
The cost of fertilizer inputs is top of mind for
growers all across the country. Chad Smith wraps us.

Speaker 27 (33:09):
Up from choosing the right timing to interpreting real time
crop and soil conditions, the right in season nitrogen plan
can be the difference between hitting yield goals and leaving
bushels and dollars on the table. The team at Wilbur
Ellis is behind a new nitrogen efficiency tool that's turning
heads and corn, soybeans, and wheat country. Matt Werner, a

(33:30):
Wilbur Ellis Branded Technologies portfolio manager, says momentum behind the
new product comes from growers wanting smarter ways to manage
rising nitrogen prices.

Speaker 29 (33:40):
There's a lot of ways to manage nitrogen, and everyone
always gets a lot more interested in that when un
and U rea shoot up in price placement stabilizers. We
felt like there was a missing piece there, and so
we launched Nutrio Intune, which is a biological option to
fix nitrogen from the air and directly into the soil
so you get kind of a slow and any supply
throughout the season. We've seen really good results this year.

Speaker 1 (34:03):
We priced it to be.

Speaker 29 (34:04):
A lot lower than the nitrogen that it's replacing in
the program and really give growers an incentive to try
to drive down the cost of production, which I know
everyone's looking at this year with.

Speaker 4 (34:14):
Those high prices.

Speaker 27 (34:15):
Rob Moore, wilber Alis agronomist and branded nutrition manager says
it's not just a corn product.

Speaker 30 (34:21):
It also can be applied to small grains like wheat, soybeans, potatoes,
really any crop that needs nitrogen. What makes us product
stand out is the application window, so whether you want
to put it on pre emerge, early, post almost early
follier applications, as long as it can touch the soil,
the biologic will start to work for you. It's also
very compatible with a lot of the chemistries that are

(34:42):
out there, fungicides and sexicides, so it's not like you
need to make an extra pass when you're putting this
product on. It really can just fit in to meet
your needs when you're applying your other products.

Speaker 27 (34:51):
More said, the flexibility is a big deal because props
don't take up nitrogen evenly throughout the growing season.

Speaker 30 (34:58):
One has a demand all all year long, sometimes higher
demands during vegetative growth and also during tasseline when it's pollinating.
So in tune, what we've seen can deliver nitrogen season long.
So once you apply it, it starts converting that atmospheric nitrogen
into ammonium form EV, so your plant has readily available
nitrogen throughout the season, as long as that product is

(35:20):
out there. This is the time for this product to
shine because we're not really comfortable with some major flooding
or heavy rains, and then areas up north where it's
been extremely dry. This product has continued to show off
and provide nitrogen through the season.

Speaker 27 (35:32):
Warner talks about how the ROI is shaping up.

Speaker 29 (35:35):
We're up in Michigan and saw some plots where we
tried to look for differences, and so we saw firing
in the lower leaves even at one hundred percent D
where we used in tune, we didn't see that. And
so the ROI the growers expecting is at least three
to one because of when the events this year, especially
like this wall we were looking at was a little sandy,
you're a little lighter and clearly can't hold as much
nitrogen as the crop needs.

Speaker 4 (35:55):
I think the ROI is going to be a lot
higher than three to one.

Speaker 29 (35:58):
That's what we're trying to do here is drive down
the cost of production for the grower, and here at
what were else, We're trying to give grower something that
they can use every season and depend on, and it's
not going to cost a lot more than the nitrogen
that they could potentially replace in the program with the product.

Speaker 27 (36:12):
Visually. More said they're seeing a huge difference when using
in tune, but it's important to remember that it's likely
too late for an application this season.

Speaker 30 (36:22):
Seeing a lot of differences in those lower leads and
not firing. And we've tested this where we've reduced the
end or where we've had one hundred percent in of
what the grower would normally apply and still seeing differences
in flow. We also saw it out earlier this year
on wheat when we got it out early, right when
the wheat was breaking dormancy, and we had an average
of nine point five bushels increase in our weeak. So

(36:42):
just that spoon feeding nitrogen, just giving it just a
little bit every day, sure does make a difference.

Speaker 27 (36:47):
For more information about neutrio in Tune, go to Stay
in Tune dot com. Chad Smith reporting.

Speaker 1 (36:54):
With that friends, about of time for today. Thanks for
joining us back Monday morning with another edition of Bag
Life