August 8, 2025

Episode Transcript

Speaker 1 (00:00):
Good 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. Well friends,
what's new in farm internet use? Rod Main has our story.

Speaker 2 (00:13):
USDA's every other year look at farm technology use reveals.

Speaker 3 (00:19):
Over all internet access, eighty five percent of farms this
year reported that they have Internet access. That's actually equal
to what we saw back in twenty three.

Speaker 2 (00:28):
Yet, as Lads Hoding of the National Agricultural Statistics Service
points out, there are indications within USDA's Farm Tech Use
report that how growers use the Internet has changed over
the past two years. A specific trend of note.

Speaker 3 (00:44):
Fifty percent reported that they actually purchase inputs for their
operation on the web. That's up eighteen percentage points from
what they reported back in twenty twenty three.

Speaker 2 (00:55):
And for marketing activities for their farm operation.

Speaker 3 (00:58):
Twenty nine percent said yeah, I go on the web
to do that. That's up six points from twenty twenty three.
So even though overall access hasn't necessarily changed, what they're
doing is certainly moving forward.

Speaker 2 (01:09):
Now, what about trends in non farm use of Internet by.

Speaker 3 (01:13):
Farms specifically when we asked them for non agg related activities,
we did actually see just a slight downturn and what
they might be doing in that space, but again only
four percentage points, so not a significant difference from what
they've reported two years ago.

Speaker 2 (01:28):
And what types of Internet access are available and used
by farm operations in twenty twenty five compared to two
years ago, The.

Speaker 3 (01:37):
Big topic is really around broadband access, and we did
see an increase there four percentage points from twenty twenty three.

Speaker 4 (01:43):
So now fifty five.

Speaker 3 (01:44):
Percent of producers reporting that they have broadband access, but
seventy four percent have cellular access, and so there's obviously
high speed options there as well.

Speaker 2 (01:54):
And in case you were wondering, yeah.

Speaker 3 (02:00):
Believe it or not, there's still some folks in some
very remote areas still reporting dial up access.

Speaker 2 (02:06):
Yet with a significant number of farm operations with sub
form of high speed wireless internet, how is that reflected
in the tech used?

Speaker 3 (02:14):
Eighty two percent have smartphones, that's pretty comparable to twenty
twenty three, but thirty five percent now say they own
a tablet or a similar portable wireless type computer, and
that's up three points, and so we do see them
continuing to move forward some of the more advanced devices,
as well as the high speed Internet.

Speaker 2 (02:31):
I'm Rod Bain, reporting for the US Department of Agriculture
in Washington, d C.

Speaker 1 (02:36):
Well Friends has the cattle herd rebuild begun. Will take
a look coming up on Taglife. Bob Quinn, Here was
some farm us this morning, Friends, Well, Farmer sentiment continues
to weaken. Glenn Wagan has our story.

Speaker 5 (02:51):
The Purdue University CME Group ag Economy Barometer declined again
in July, falling to one hundred and thirty five and
eleven point month over month drop. By current Conditions index
dropped seventeen points to one twenty seven, while the Future
Expectations Index posted a smaller decline of seven points to
one thirty nine. Purdue University is James Minter said when

(03:11):
asked about their biggest concerns for their farming operations, producers
noted despite the weakness and crop prices, high input costs
remained the top concern among producers, chosen by thirty nine
percent of respondents in July survey. The second place concern
lower crop and livestock prices, that was selected by twenty
nine percent of respondents.

Speaker 6 (03:31):
When we asked a similar or related question, what's the
biggest challenge to the success of their operation is over
the next five to ten years. Producers gave us a
different response. Thirty six percent shows crop or livestock prices
as the biggest challenge, and only seventeen percent shows cost control. Additionally,
only nine percent shows financial considerations, suggesting that entering a

(03:52):
period of weak returns, especially in the crop sector, producers
are ending this with a relatively strong balance sheet for
their farm operation.

Speaker 5 (03:59):
Mint Point point it out. The July survey was conducted
just after passage of the One Big Beautiful Bill, providing
some clarity with respect to farm bill support levels, especially
the PLC and ARC prices for crops.

Speaker 6 (04:11):
So we asked producers if they expect the farm safety
net provided by US farm programs in the twenty twenty
five farm bill will be stronger than weaker than are
about the same as the previous bill, the percentage expecting
stronger support than the previous farm bill was doubled about
thirty one percent said stronger than whereas fifteen percent said
weaker than.

Speaker 5 (04:29):
Mintored added producers were also asked about the general direction
of the US seventy four percent of respondents in last
month's survey said the country is headed in the right direction,
compared to twenty six percent who said the US is
on the wrong track. I'm Glenn Bogan reporting.

Speaker 1 (04:43):
The US Meat Export Federation is turning up the heat
in Guatemala. The organization put a spotlight on US beef, pork,
and lamb. At the twenty twenty five Latin American Showcase
in late July, Stephen Hansen, USMEF chair talks about the
USMEF sponsored event.

Speaker 7 (05:00):
USMEF at this point is basically producing this thing called
the Latin American Product Showcase here in Guatemala City. There
are over seventy five exporters here. In fact, there's closer
to eighty. They didn't even have room for all of them.
They were turning down people. At the end, they were
nearly two hundred buyers registered, which you've taken all the
supporting staff they each bring. There's over five hundred in
attendance here. It's a great opportunity for the exporters and

(05:21):
the importers alike to just exchange ideas, change notes, and
see a product. There's a lot of tables that have
product on their table, so it's a really nice thing.

Speaker 1 (05:29):
Hanson talks about what makes American meat products attractive to
potential buyers.

Speaker 7 (05:34):
Well, obviously it's the quality and the safety, and then
there is just no better taste than US beef and
pork and lamb. It's just nobody can match us. It's
just truly a great thing.

Speaker 1 (05:44):
It's also a benefit to have US producers there to
talk face to face with potential buyers and customers.

Speaker 7 (05:50):
You know, I think that's very true. Last night at
the introductory statement there, we talked last night a little
bit about the beef we put on our table. It's
the same beef that we're exporting across and we hope
that they're putting on their tables. And it's like that
with the red meat industry. It's local producers doing the
best they can, taking care of their animals and yet
putting that food on the table that is a safe
product and very very tasty and something that we eat

(06:12):
and we hope that they eat too.

Speaker 1 (06:13):
Stephen Hanson, US Meat Export Federation with US well friends.
Industry experts have been waiting for US producers to begin
growing the beef herd, currently setting at its lowest number
in recent history. Bill Haffman, an extension beef educator University
of Wisconsin, said expansion is not happening yet.

Speaker 8 (06:31):
No, you know, the prices are one thing. The other
thing going on. There's been some evidence places are trying
to get started, and then we'll get them weather problems
in some part of the country where there's a fair
amount of kyle calf, and you know, so they end
up delaying her expansion. Again, it's been slow, and even
when we do start with any appreciable numbers, it's still
you know, she's not going to have her first calf

(06:51):
though she's too and then that calf wouldn't be going
to the packing plant for another probably fifteen eighteen months
after it's born. So cattle cycle is long to get going.
They can slow down and allow faster and get smaller
low faster than they can rebound.

Speaker 1 (07:06):
We'll have more on this in about a half hour.
Farm us This morning. You're listening to wag Life.

Speaker 9 (07:11):
It's another agnews update. Ethanol production climbs while exports surge Midsummer.
More after this.

Speaker 10 (07:21):
Here's farmer and landowner John Prouve.

Speaker 11 (07:23):
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 crude pipeline.
Fortunately no one was hurt, but it could have been
much worse.

Speaker 10 (07:39):
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 9 (07:49):
Ethanol production rose to a six week high for the
week that ended July twenty fifth, reaching one point one
million barrels per day. That's one point seven percent high
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

(08:12):
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 rose two point one percent to nine point one
five million barrels per day. Blender inputs ticked up slightly,

(08:37):
as did ethanol exports, which jumped forty two point six percent,
now an estimated one hundred 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

(08:58):
in Meanwhile, no eth atoll imports recorded for over a year.
It's another AG news update.

Speaker 12 (09:07):
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 priown Mercedes Benz. Every detail has been inspected
and road tested by highly skilled Mercedes Benz technicians, and

(09:28):
it's all backed by an unlimited mileage warranty for up
to five years, which makes the decision of where to
buy one simple. You authorized Merceades Benz Dealers.

Speaker 9 (09:36):
American Cattle News Major changes coming to USDA. We'll have
more after this.

Speaker 10 (09:46):
Here's farmer and landowner John Prue.

Speaker 11 (09:48):
We purchased the land about three years ago, and there
was an old farmstead on there with trees and we're
going to clear the land so we could fire 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 life crewed pipeline.
Fortunately no one was hurt, but it could have been
much worse.

Speaker 10 (10:04):
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 what.

Speaker 9 (10:15):
Could you do with four billion dollars? What could usda
do for four billion dollars? USDA's Deputy Secretary, Stephen Vaden
before the Senate ad Committee on their reorganization plan.

Speaker 13 (10:33):
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.

(10:55):
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, but

(11:16):
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, the

(11:37):
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 9 (11:51):
Many will relocate to Raleigh, Kansas City, Indianapolis, Sport Collins,
and Salt Lake City. American Cattle.

Speaker 1 (12:04):
This is Dairy Radio.

Speaker 14 (12:06):
Now it's time for our feed form Friday with Doctor
Mike Hutchins, Professor Emeritus from the University of Illinois.

Speaker 15 (12:11):
Hello, Mike, Well, welcome to today's feed Forum, and our
topic is going to be looking at comparisons of milk
replacers and milk in young calves. This was in the
May issue of the Journal of Dairy Science, coming from
doctor Jim Drinkley's lab here at the University of Illinois,
comparing alternate energy sources here and dairy animals and see
if milk has some advantages over milk replacer. So we're

(12:34):
going to look at some of the biological factors that
are found in milk may not be found in milk
replacer here, and then look at some impacts of lactose
and fat feeding on these calves as well. The research
was based on twenty nine male Holstein calves. In the
first five days of these animals or young calves were
backgrounded and then they were exposed to three different studies

(12:55):
here for the next three weeks to evaluate their response.
Though the first one would be a conventional milk replacer.
This is fed at about fourteen percent of the body weight,
containing a twenty two percent crude protein, a twenty one
percent fat levels, and forty nine percent lactose. They then
went to a high milk fat milk replacer which to
be similar to whole milk, so it analyzed out at

(13:17):
twenty five percent crude protein, twenty seven percent fat, and
lower levels of lactose at forty percent. Then the third
group would have been whole milk here at the University
of Illinois Farm and that would be very similar to
the high fat milk replacer containing twenty five percent crude protein,
twenty seven percent fat, and forty two percent lactose. So

(13:38):
the results were interesting. Bill First of all, there was
really no difference in final body weight or gain to
feed ratios. All three sources of nutrients provided optimal performance here.
The greatest average daily gain, however, occurred with the conventional
milk replacer being fed to these caves. There were a
higher fecal score in those caves that had the higher

(14:00):
fat milk replacer being fed in the experiment, and the
high fat milk replacer had a lower level of protein
deposition in these calves when they were analyzed. The energy
of the metabolized energy for growth was similar in all
three of these liquid diets fed to these calves as well,
and there was a greater protein efficiency with the whole

(14:21):
milk phase or the control milk. Here in these calves,
there were really no differences in infulin levels, plasma protein
or IGF one, which is basically a growth stimulating a
product that you will find in the bloodstream of dairy cattle.
Glucose levels were higher when we fed milk to these calves,

(14:44):
and actually the level of plasma ureon itrogen and nephas
nonosteri fat acids was lower in milk fed calves. So
bill our taco messages are that in this study here
we found that the whole milk was a bit more efficient,
especially when we look at protein deposition here and whole
milk had the lower scour days. In the study with

(15:04):
these twenty nine calves, all of the diets were equal
in terms of crude protein and net energy metabolizing energy
available for these calves as well. High lactose diets were
resulted in a greater average daily gain and a bit
more lean growth here in the profile and certainly that
we had a better profile in the blood from those
animals that were fed milk, and that makes sense because

(15:26):
we know milk has a much better amino acid profile
compared to milkt placers, which will usually based on wave
protein and be using lighter tanel as a fat source
compared to milk fat in milk itself. So our take
home message we can look at these three liquid diets,
there are differences in performances with them, and certainly whole
milk was a winner. Thanks, have a great day.

Speaker 14 (15:47):
Thank you Mike. That's doctor Mike Cutchins, professor Emeritis from
the University of Illinois, featured every Friday here on our
feed for him Friday on Dairy Radio.

Speaker 2 (15:54):
Now, what is the connection between farmers' markets across the country,
perhaps your local vendue and USDA's Agricultural Marketing Service AMS
is America Vegas says, first and foremost, we.

Speaker 4 (16:07):
Don't regulate farmers markets. We do provide a lot of.

Speaker 2 (16:09):
Resources support includes grand opportunities via the Farmer's Market Promotion Program.

Speaker 4 (16:16):
This is a program that farmers markets can apply and
it doesn't have to be farmers markets exclusively, can be
any organizations trying to improve direct marketing for farmers.

Speaker 2 (16:25):
As well as resources.

Speaker 4 (16:27):
The USDA's local food directories, the Farmer's Market Directory is
the main one. We have close to seven thousand listenings.
The main purpose is to connect consumers with farmers.

Speaker 2 (16:38):
And research in the farmers' markets and their connections to
local economies. I'm Road Bain reporting for the US Department
of Agriculture in Washington, d C.

Speaker 16 (16:51):
The major importance of improving and preventing ransidity and walnuts.
I'm Patrick Cavanaugh with the California Trina Report, part of
the fast agg Information Network. One of the biggest problems
facing the walnut industry is that when walnuts are harvested,
they tend to degrade and turn an off flavor if

(17:11):
not kept in the refrigerator. We need to work on that,
said Robert Verloup, who's the executive director and CEGO of
the California Walnut Board and the California Walnut Commission.

Speaker 17 (17:22):
We've got to work backwards a little bit to understand
what are the influences on rancidity and more importantly, how
do we control it. Because I am a firm believer
that if we control our quality, and rancidity is the
biggest part of it. There's other parts of quality that
we need to look at as well. But once we
start to overcome that challenge, then we'll start to see

(17:43):
per capital consumption go up. That also means that our
trading partners are going to have bigger displays. They're going
to be more products that are offered.

Speaker 16 (17:50):
And they're working on maybe distributing the walnuts in smaller
packages so when they're purchased, they're consumed much quicker before
rancidity sets in.

Speaker 17 (17:58):
You know, different forms and packaging is more convenience. Nacking sciences,
whether it's one or two ounces or ten ounces. Resealable
bags very important on the snack size because you want
to make it portable. You want to make it easy
to take with you wherever you go.

Speaker 1 (18:12):
That's Robert Reloop heading up that walnut industry.

Speaker 18 (18:15):
Farm Work is tough, and so is staying safe on
a road.

Speaker 19 (18:18):
Every year, accidents happen when tractors and traffic share the
same space, whether you're behind the wheel of a tractor
or a car.

Speaker 18 (18:24):
Here's what you need to remember.

Speaker 19 (18:26):
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 rule roads. One moment a
caution can save a life. Let's work together to keep
our roads and our farms safe. This message was brought
to you by the AG Information Network.

Speaker 20 (18:45):
For the last forty years, the AAG 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 why agriculture
news that farmers receive comes from the AGG Information Network,
reaching coast to coast, deep roots and farming. In decades

(19:08):
of reporting, the AGG Information Network trusted and transparent journalism
for generations.

Speaker 16 (19:13):
With the AG Information Network, I'm Patrick Cavanaugh, Welcome to
AG Life.

Speaker 2 (19:18):
I'm Dwayne Merley with your farm news. Cherries. This year's
crop of this suburtime treat is now being harvested.

Speaker 3 (19:27):
And so they're readily available in grocery stores.

Speaker 2 (19:29):
Lance Holding of USDA's National Agricultural Statistic Service says, you
may know there are two types of cherries, sweet ad tart.
How are they different besides the obvious clues in their names,
Hodig explains, with sweet cherries, this time.

Speaker 3 (19:44):
Of the year, we think about cherries, so we're really
talking about the sweet cherries these are the cherries that
are typically eaten fresh. They really don't store well, and
so this is the time of year when they mature
and get harvested, and so they're readily available.

Speaker 2 (19:56):
While with tart cherries.

Speaker 3 (19:58):
This is what you see appearing in your pies and
your pastries and other delicious dessert slur cherries are featured,
and because of the nature of that, we freeze them,
we store them, and so we can find those pretty
much a year round.

Speaker 2 (20:09):
And when it comes to keeping track of sweeted tart
cherries in USDA production reports, if you look.

Speaker 3 (20:15):
At when we publish estimates, will publish both sweet and
heart cherry numbers, and you'll never see in an ass
report a total cherry number, and that is simply because
the crops are so unique that it really doesn't make
any sense to put them together.

Speaker 2 (20:28):
So perhaps the question on your mind, will there be
plenty of cherries available this year? HOODIG starts with a
look at this year's sweet cherry harvest forecast.

Speaker 3 (20:37):
Which represents the largest crop since twenty seventeen, with.

Speaker 2 (20:42):
A projected year over year production increase of four percent,
driving the production gads. The nation's largest cherry growing state, Washington.

Speaker 3 (20:51):
They're expecting about a twenty nine percent increase the season.
Weather's been really good for the crop there, and so
great news from both Washington and nash perspective.

Speaker 2 (21:01):
A slight production rise is also reported in Oregon. The
offset it's wheat cherry production this season is California.

Speaker 3 (21:08):
For some extreme weather during the bloom, and as a result,
they're actually looking at a crop it's about thirty eight
percent smaller than last year.

Speaker 2 (21:15):
Michigan is far and away the largest tart cherry growing
state in the US, yet Hodig says.

Speaker 3 (21:21):
It's a really tough season for the fact they're looking
at about a forty one percent drop in tart cherry
production this year due to poor weather.

Speaker 2 (21:30):
That poor weather, however, was not a major freeze of
it usually associated with tart cherry production decldes.

Speaker 3 (21:37):
That's not the case this year. It's just been not
good weather. It's a pretty big drop in fact. Nationally
that means we're only looking at one hundred and thirty
nine million pounds this year. That's more than a third
below last season's crop. Will be the smallest crop since
twenty twenty and the second smallest crops. It's that disastrous
year of twenty twelve when Michigan lost almost all their cherries.

Speaker 21 (21:58):
The USDA is National agricul Through Statistics Service, in partnership
with the Natural Resources Conservation Service, is reaching out to farmers, ranchers,
and agricultural landowners that gather in depth information about the
conservation practices they use. Nearly twenty three thousand operators nationwide
will receive the twenty twenty five Conservation Effects Assessment Project survey.

(22:21):
This is a multi agency effort led by NRCS to
quantify the effects of conservation practices across the nation's working lands.
According to NASA Administrator Joseph Parsons, responding to the survey
allows farmers to provide the most accurate picture of conservation
practices on their crop land. The information gathered will help

(22:43):
inform programs that benefit producers by protecting the national resources
in which their livelihood depends. Eligible farmers and landowners may
be contacted between November of twenty twenty five and March
of twenty twenty six and has to participate in a survey.
Typical questions will include at current farm production practices, chemical fertiliser,

(23:05):
a manure applications, pillage, irrigation, use, and currently installed conservation practices.

Speaker 22 (23:15):
This is the Agricultural Law and Tax Report, brought to
you by Helena agg Managency's and Nutrition with Corenmetra. Visit
Helena agra dot com for more information. I'm Roger McGowen.
The One Big Beautiful Bill Act modifies the payment limitation
rules to allow a pass through entity that limits liability
to not automatically be restricted to a single payment limit. Instead,

(23:36):
entities such as LLCs, LLPs, LPs, and S corporations will
be treated as a general partnership for payment limitation purposes. Historically,
any entity that limited liability only qualified for a single
payment limit, with the members of the entity splitting the
payment amount amongst them in accordance with their ownership percentages.
But now if such an entity qualifies for multiple payment
limits based on the amount of ARC or PLC payments receipt,

(23:58):
for example, it will be restricted to a single limit.
This has been the Agricultural Law and Tax Report. I'm
Roger McGowan.

Speaker 23 (24:10):
It's time for California Egg Today on the ag Information Network,
I am Haley's ship. The Almond Bord of California reports
that almond orchards in southern and western San Joaquin Valley
are facing a major roof rat outbreak. More than one
hundred thousand acres have been affected, with some growers estimating

(24:32):
up to fifty percent crop loss. Even while trapping dozens
of rats daily. These rodents are causing more than just
crop damage. They're chewing through irrigation lines, equipment, wiring, and
even starting fires. Total losses could range from one hundred
and nine million dollars to over three hundred million, with
irrigation repairs and lost yield making up the bulk of

(24:53):
that impact. Roof rats, once mostly in the trees, are
now burrowing and using irrigation ca to spread across orchards.
Researchers recommend using tracking tools, elevated bait stations, and trapping
as part of a tailored pest management approach, but growers
say the labor and the costs are overwhelming. Industry groups

(25:14):
are stepping into help, with more resources and updates expected
at this falls Pest Control Advisor meeting and at the
Almond Conference in December. For the latest from the Almond
Board of California, you can head to our website aginfo
dot net. Attention all growers, have your packouts been reduced
due to damage caused by heat stress or sunburn. This

(25:34):
is called Tiva. We are the manufacturer of Parka. Parka
is a plant based follier product with a unique MOA
that helps plants resist and recover from heat stress. Parka
reduces heat stress and sunburn by reducing the development of
oxidative compounds and stressed crops. It allows the plant to
continue photosynthetic activity, which ultimately means your crops continue to

(25:55):
perform during times of excessive heat. As a result, plants
treated with Parka are better I equipped to sustain growth
under environmental stress conditions to deliver high fruit quality and
marketable yields. Unlike other products on the market, Parka is
highly tank mixed compatible and leaves no residue on fruit
or equipment, making it easy to incorporate into spray programs.

(26:16):
The heat is coming. Is your crop ready to handle
the stress? Give us a call it eight eight eight
six three eight nineteen fifty five or visits Cultiva dot com.
This is California AGG today on the AG Information Network.
I am Hailey Ship. For more agnews, check us out
online at aginfo dot net.

Speaker 1 (26:34):
Bob Quinn, here are some farm news this morning. Friends,
Well farmer sentiment continues to weaken. Glenn Wagan has our story.

Speaker 5 (26:42):
The Purdue University CME Group AG Economy Barometer declined again
in July, falling to one hundred and thirty five and
eleven point month over month drop. The July Current Conditions
index dropped seventeen points to one twenty seven, while the
Future Expectations index posted a smaller decline of seven points
to one thirty nine. Purdue University is James Minter said

(27:02):
when asked about their biggest concerns for their farming operations,
producers noted despite the weakness and crop prices, high input
costs remained the top concern among producers chosen by thirty
nine percent of respondents in July survey. The second place
concern lower crop and livestock prices, that was selected by
twenty nine percent of respondents.

Speaker 6 (27:22):
When we asked a similar or related question, what's the
biggest challenge to the success of their operation is over
the next five to ten years, producers gave us a
different response. Thirty six percent shows crop or livestock prices
as the biggest challenge and only seventeen percent shows cost control. Additionally,
only nine percent shows financial considerations, suggesting that entering a

(27:43):
period of weak returns, especially in the crop sector, producers
are ending this with a relatively strong balance sheet for
their farm operation.

Speaker 5 (27:50):
Mintor pointed out that July survey was conducted just after
passage of the One Big Beautiful Bill, providing some clarity
with respect to farm bill support levels acually the PLC
and ARC prices for crops.

Speaker 6 (28:03):
So we asked producers if they expect the farm's safety
net provided by US farm programs and the twenty twenty
five farm bill will be stronger than weaker than are
about the same as the previous bill. The percentage expecting
stronger support than the previous farm bill was doubled. About
thirty one percent said stronger than, whereas fifteen percent said
weaker than.

Speaker 5 (28:20):
Mintored added producers were also asked about the general direction
of the US. Seventy four percent of respondents in last
month's survey said the country's headed in the right direction,
compared to twenty six percent who said the US is
on the wrong track. I'm Glenn Bogan reporting well.

Speaker 1 (28:34):
Friends, the twenty twenty five crop year is getting closer
to the home stretch.

Speaker 20 (28:38):
Now.

Speaker 1 (28:39):
It's been a challenging year for sure. Ed uss At,
an agricultural economist University of Minnesota, says, are you still
waiting for the typical spring summer rally.

Speaker 24 (28:49):
Well, it's a hard one to watch as we continued
to just lower. I've been waiting for that spring summer rally,
something where I could get something done. And it pains
me to realize that February was the high for this
year for corn, soybeans, and wheat. We had a rally
in February, and I recall telling my colleagues at the

(29:10):
University of Minnesota, who have a little bit of grain
to sell from the research plots, and you don't sell
in February. We don't get highs in February. We'll do better.

Speaker 1 (29:19):
Even if the future prices don't drop further. Some of
the industries say the basis at harvest has to widen further.
He talks about what producers should do.

Speaker 24 (29:29):
We have to start thinking about selling the carry at harvest.
We've got big carries in the corn market, big carries
in the wheat market, and even big carries showing up
in the soybean market. Do you know the carry from
November to July? The November contract good grief where is
at about nine to ninety somewhere in there, nine to

(29:49):
ninety a bushel from November, it's sixties plus cents higher
out to the July. That'll cover your interest costs easily,
and throw something else in there. It's it's not the
most exciting trade in the world. If you sell the
carry with the heggs to arrive in the July contract,
or you call your broker and you sell the July
if the big rally of twenty twenty six begins, you've

(30:11):
sort of made your pet. On the other hand, maybe
the big rally doesn't come, and maybe that's the best
you can do.

Speaker 1 (30:17):
US is expecting talk of deferred contracts to pick up
this season.

Speaker 24 (30:21):
Be here talk about deferred price contracts. I'm sure coming
up pretty soon. Elevators are offering you that chance, and
sometimes it works. I kind of look at the deferred
price contract. That is sort of the hail Mary Pass
of grain marketing. It can have its moments, but too
often we're disappointed by it.

Speaker 1 (30:39):
At US at University of Minnesota talking grain marketing this morning.
More now on a story we talked about earlier. Friends,
Industry experts have been waiting for US producers to begin
growing the beef herd currently sitting at some very low numbers.
Bill Haffman, an extension beef educator University of Wisconsin with US,
said expansion is not happening yet, and he's wondering can

(31:00):
beef dairy cross cattle fill some of the gap.

Speaker 8 (31:03):
Some folks talk about the beef dairy crosses, and you know,
they're definitely a better carcass quality, better performance than straight
hole scene steers. But we only got so many dairy
cows in the country, and so you know they're not
gonna be something that's gonna pick up a big piece
of this gap at all. That's a pretty static number.

Speaker 1 (31:18):
Producers thinking of crossing beef and dairy need to keep
some things in mind. First.

Speaker 8 (31:24):
I know a lot of them are looking at only
reading the top part of the herd as far as
milk production and genetic potential for their future replacements. And
some of them are hanging on a cow and extra
lactation reading there of eve bowl for that calf certainly
can work, and you know they got to look at that.
Then the bigger question becomes, too, we own these animals
all the way through and feed them out ourselves or

(31:44):
sell them as three four day old calves. With the
prices that them little calves are bringing, it's gonna be
extremely difficult to sharpen a pencil sharp enough for most
folks to justify owning them longer than that.

Speaker 1 (31:55):
Bill Haffman with us. You're listening to WAG Life.

Speaker 25 (32:01):
From the Egg Information Network. This is your agribusiness update.
Only fifty five percent of US consumers are confident in
the safety of our food system, according to this year's
Ific Food and Health Survey. This is the second straight
year respondents have indicated less confidence in our food supply,
down from sixty two percent and twenty twenty four and
seventy percent in twenty three. Of those, fifty nine percent

(32:22):
believe profit in the food industry was prioritized over safety,
and forty six percent don't think federal regulations are strict enough.
And estimated eight point two percent of the global population,
or about six hundred and seventy three million people, experienced
hunger in twenty twenty four. That's down eight and a
half percent from twenty twenty three and eight point seven
percent in twenty two. However, the United Nations the state

(32:43):
of Food Safety and Nutrition in the World report says
results weren't consistent across the globe, with hunger continuing to
rise in most of Africa and Western Asia. While the
decline is welcome, the latest estimates are still above pre
COVID levels. Senator Amy Klobuchar, ranking member of the Senate
Ad Committee, spoke during a hearing on the proposed reorganization
of the USBA. Klobch R says the administration put together

(33:05):
a half baked plan with no notice and without consulting
agricultural leaders. She says she supports efforts to make USDA
work better, but didn't think getting rid of fifteen thousand
employees was good for agriculture. She's also concerned the reorganization
would have a negative impact on USDA's research.

Speaker 18 (33:21):
Farm work is tough, and so is staying safe on road.

Speaker 19 (33:24):
Every year, accidents happen when tractors and traffic share the
same space, whether you're behind the wheel of a tractor
or a car.

Speaker 18 (33:31):
Here's what you need to remember.

Speaker 19 (33:32):
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 sailor especially on rule roads. One
moment a caution can save a life. Let's work together
to keep our roads and are farm safe. This message
was brought to you by the AG Information Network.

Speaker 20 (33:51):
For over forty years, the Egg Information Network has been
providing news and information for the most important industry in
the world, agriculture. The Egg Information That Work 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

(34:12):
that mean the most to you online at aginfo dot net.
The AGG Information Network trusted and transparent journalism lasting for
the next generation.

Speaker 25 (34:20):
From the AGG Information Network, I'm Bob Larson with today's
agribusiness update.

Speaker 1 (34:24):
Bob went back to wrap up AGLI for today friends.
The fortieth Annual International Sweetener Symposium wrapped up in Michigan.
Chad Smith, how's our story?

Speaker 26 (34:33):
Trump Administration officials, members of Congress, economists, and sugar industry
experts just wrapped up the fortieth International Sweetener Symposium in
Traverse City, Michigan. Luther Marquardt, Executive vice president and CEO
of the American Sugar Beet Growers Association and the incoming
chairman of the American Sugar Alliance, highlighted the importance of

(34:57):
the US sugar industry.

Speaker 27 (34:58):
America's sugar producers are committed to providing American food manufacturers
and consumers with sugar.

Speaker 26 (35:05):
The International Sweetener Symposium program featured sugar and farm experts
who spoke to the challenges facing the farm economy. Markquart
emphasized the importance of a strong safety net for sugar producers.

Speaker 27 (35:18):
Over the past several days, we've heard that higher production costs,
greater weather challenges, and threats of foreign subsidies are making
it harder for family farms to survive. This is something
that I have heard firsthand from the sugar beet growers
I represent. Cannot afford to lose more family farms or
more multi generational farming legacies. The stakes are simply too high.

Speaker 26 (35:43):
Markquart thank USDA Deputy Secretary Stephen Vaden and doctor Nancy
beck A, Principal Deputy Assistant Administrator at EPA for speaking
at the International Sweetener Symposium and supporting America's farmers and workers.

Speaker 27 (35:59):
We appreciate President Trump's all hands on deck approach to
advancing policies that put America's farmers first. Under his direction,
not only is the USDA charged with this mission, but
all other agencies, including the EPA, have been directed to
institute smart, common sense policies with a goal of bolstering

(36:19):
domestic supply chains, supporting rural communities, and ensuring that multi
generational family farms remain a central part of America's story.
We will continue to work with Deputy Secretary Vaden and
the administration officials to strengthen domestic sugar production and safeguard
our national food security.

Speaker 26 (36:39):
Markquart also highlighted the bipartisan support for the American sugar industry,
noting that Representatives Jack Bergman, John Molinar, and Hailey Stevens
from Michigan and Representative Brad Finstead from Minnesota also spoke
at the event. Both Michigan and Minnesota are sugar beat
producing states.

Speaker 27 (36:58):
America's sugar beet and sugarian family farmers and workers are
grateful that the members of Congress from both sides of
the aisle have repeatedly stood up in support of our
sugar producers.

Speaker 26 (37:11):
To learn more about the International Sweetener Symposium and US
Sugar policy search hashtag Sugar twenty twenty five or visit
Sugaralliance dot org. Chadsmith reporting with that

Speaker 1 (37:24):
Friends, out of time for today, Thanks for joining us
Mack Monday morning with another edition A Bad Life