Episode Transcript
Available transcripts are automatically generated. Complete accuracy is not guaranteed.
Speaker 1 (00:00):
Good morning, Valley. This is Aglife. My name is Bob Quinn.
With you for the next hour. We're talking about agricultural
production here in the valley and all across the country.
Oh USDA is currently reaching out to organic growers.
Speaker 2 (00:11):
Stage one of USDA's latest organic survey is wide digged down.
Speaker 3 (00:16):
Those organic producers or those traditioning into certified organic production
will receive a survey a postcard to reply online. We
always want to be good stewards of public funds, so
one of the ways we do that is by first
sending those that are in scope for the survey an
invitation to reply online. That's the least expensive way for
us to be able to collect that data.
Speaker 2 (00:37):
Joseph Parsons, administrator of the National Agricultural Statistic Service from
early December, when organic producers received their code by mail.
Speaker 3 (00:45):
The last survey that we conducted as part of the
Census of Agriculture program on organics was in twenty twenty one.
This is part of the Census of Agriculture program and
we'll be going back out to producers on this topic
shortly med.
Speaker 2 (00:58):
Those replied online this month to participate in the organic
survey should expect a full survey questionnaire bailed to them
in January.
Speaker 3 (01:06):
The deadline for responsibly February fifth.
Speaker 2 (01:09):
What might participating producers expect with the full Organic Survey, QUESTIONEDAIIR.
Speaker 3 (01:14):
Like a number of things within US agriculture, the organics
is kind of a unique slice of US agriculture, and
so it spans lots of different things, but it's around
organic practices, and so we'll be collecting data on organic production,
marketing practices, income and expenses across the United States, and
so that's kind of a unique data set to have
a look at the organic industry within agriculture.
Speaker 2 (01:35):
And like all asked data sets, including the SETSUS of agriculture,
the findings what survey results are released will draw interest
beyond organic industry stakeholders.
Speaker 3 (01:45):
This effort's critical to determining the economic impact of organic
agriculture on the nation, and so I think there's a
wide variety of stakeholders and policy makers that have an
interest and these data, along with the time series that
we've collected over the last several years.
Speaker 2 (01:59):
More detail tales about the Organic Survey are available online
at www dot NAS dot USDA dot go, slash go,
slash organick Rodbain, reporting for the US Department of Agriculture
in Washington.
Speaker 4 (02:14):
D C.
Speaker 1 (02:14):
Farm News Ahead, you're listening to Aglife. Bob Quent back
with some farm news this morning. Friends. Another year has
come and gone without farm labor reforms, and a long
time senator explains why Iowa Senator and farmer Chuck Grassley
is as frustrated as any over Congress's decades long failure
to reform the H two way guest worker program.
Speaker 5 (02:35):
It makes common sense that agriculture needs workers year round,
not seasonal workers at particular if you're an animal agriculture.
As one example, more than.
Speaker 1 (02:46):
Three hundred and fifty food and farm worker groups came
together on a twenty twenty two bill sponsored by Colorado
Democrat Michael Bennett.
Speaker 6 (02:54):
Increases the number of H two A visas and opens
the program up to year round jobs for the first
time ever. It creates waves certainty for farmers to protect
them from harmful swings and labor costs.
Speaker 1 (03:06):
And Bennett claims it would have saved farmers twenty three
billion dollars over twelve years, or two billion more than
a House passed version, but was not to be in
the Senate, where three years later, Grassley says, these same
issues still stand in the way.
Speaker 5 (03:21):
There's people on the right are going to vote for
anything unless you get twelve million people illegally in our
country out of the country, and that is unfeasible. And
then there's people on the left w vote for anything
that you don't make people's citizens.
Speaker 1 (03:36):
Yesterday, the earlier bill tried to strike a compromise by
creating a temporary renewable legal status for farm workers already here,
with an option to earn permanent legal status. Well, friends,
The Farm Workforce Modernization Act has had trouble gaining traction
in recent years because in part of problems with border security.
(03:56):
Washington Representative Dan Newhouse, who just announced he's not seeking
reelection next year, said it's become easier to get conversations
on the act moving now that the border issues are
being addressed.
Speaker 7 (04:08):
The answer is yes, that is helping those that told
me they couldn't support increasing the number of people coming
into the country while our border was so poor us
and in crisis. That is helping them get to a
point where, Okay, now we can look at the needs
we have in agriculture.
Speaker 1 (04:24):
But then new Hou says, border security isn't the only
issue some have had with the bill.
Speaker 7 (04:29):
They're still concerned by a number of members that they
want to make sure that Americans are not being denied
employment opportunities. So why are we bringing in more foreign
workers when there's a lot of people here unemployed. Of course,
we have a story to tell there that most Americans
don't want to do the farm work that we have
to have done, and so that's part of the educational
challenges we have.
Speaker 1 (04:49):
However, the border situation is helping the conversation.
Speaker 7 (04:53):
But I think overall, yes, the better situation that the
border is working in our favor as we push to get.
Speaker 1 (05:00):
The Farm Workforce Modernization Act has been a passion for
New House as he pushes to get it passed before
the end of his final term. Well Friends, the Fertilizer
Institute applauded the House of Representatives for passing HR forty
seven seventy six, the Standard Permitting and Expediting Economic Development
or SPEED Act. Now the bipartisan legislation is focused on
(05:23):
taking more important steps to modernize the federal permitting process
while maintaining strong environmental protection. Fertilizer production is highly capital
intensive and requires long term investments in minds, manufacturing plants,
and processing facilities, says TFI President and CEO Corey Rosenbusch.
(05:44):
Even with additional projects in development after extensive environmental analysis,
these projects too often face years of uncertainty due to
duplicative reviews, poor coordination, and permitting related litigation. The bill
modernizes and reforms the National Environmental Policy Act review process,
(06:04):
codifying a recent Supreme Court decision clarifying that environmental reviews
should focus on impacts with a reasonably close causal relationship
to the project under review that will help return an
EPA to its intended role as a procedural statute rather
than a tool for indefinite delay. Again, these Speed Act
(06:26):
has passed the House. So farm news this morning, you're
listening to Aglife.
Speaker 8 (06:31):
It's another agnews update TI cattle supplies, improving grain logistics
and shifting specialty crop strategies. More after this.
Speaker 9 (06:41):
At the American Veterinary Medical Association Annual Convention in Denver,
we caught up with Michael Gerghi from Student Loan Advisor.
Speaker 10 (06:48):
I think the biggest thing to remember when it comes
down to student loans and student loan forgiveness is that
you have to be very, very vigilant, because it really
can be one of the biggest empowering choices of your life.
To go out and get this degree. Inside of the
veterinary field can be a tremendous roadblock if it's not
managed properly, So we really try and encourage that as
the overarching theme and the top line piece of advice
that we give the books.
Speaker 9 (07:07):
There's more valuable information on AVMA dot org.
Speaker 8 (07:10):
Latest Cattle on Feed report confirming tighter supplies with no surprises.
Placements did fall sharply and feed lot inventories did decline
year over year. It reinforces expectations for continued cattle market
support into early next year. Texas feed lot numbers remain
under added pressures. The Mexican border stays closed to feeder
(07:34):
cattle due to New World screw worm concerns, further restricting
the placements now in grain markets. Transportation conditions showed modest
improvement rail volume surging, barge movement rebounding, and diesel prices easing,
helping offset seasonal logistics, and that despite on even export
(07:58):
loading and link river constraints. Beyond road, crops and livestock
specialty producers adjusting as well. Eastern wineries continue gaining ground
in a flat wine market by leaning into direct to
consumer sales and local agriturism models, offering a template for
(08:19):
value added resilience in rural communities. It's another agnews update.
Speaker 9 (08:26):
Hey there, the hello, Hello, huh hey, hey, la Hi.
Speaker 11 (08:33):
It takes a lot of voices to create the sound
of us. The Why welcomes all of them with open arms,
from career readiness to safe spaces. The Why is there.
Speaker 12 (08:43):
No matter who we are.
Speaker 11 (08:45):
Now more than ever, they need your support, support your
local Why Today The Why or better.
Speaker 12 (08:52):
Us read by members of the Why.
Speaker 8 (08:56):
American Cattle News Today will take a look at the
latest Cattle on Feed report. More after this.
Speaker 9 (09:05):
At the American Veterinary Medical Association Annual Convention in Denver,
we caught up with Michael Gerghi from Student Loan Advisor.
Speaker 10 (09:12):
I think the biggest thing to remember when it comes
down to student loans and student loan forgiveness is that
you have to be very, very vigilant because it really
can be one of the biggest empowering choices of your
life to go out and get this degree inside of
the veterinary field, or it can be a tremendous roadblock.
Speaker 13 (09:25):
If it's not managed properly.
Speaker 10 (09:26):
So we really try and encourage that as the overarching
theme and the top line piece of advice that we
give the books.
Speaker 9 (09:31):
There's more valuable information on AVMA dot work.
Speaker 8 (09:34):
Oliver's slope is with blue line futures. In Chicago.
Speaker 14 (09:39):
At the closed February live cattle features two dollars and
four cents hired at the two thirty eighty for the week.
That was a dollar twenty five higher, which marked the
fourth consecutive week of gains. March, theeder cattle features game
four dollars and eighty cents, settling at three thirty nine
forty for the week. That was five dollars and thirty
two cents high. Like live cattle, that was the fourth
straight week of gains. Over On the outside February lean
(10:02):
Hoggs finished the day thirty seven centire, which put them
right near unchanged on the week. Now, there was a
cattle on feed report this afternoon right after the close.
That report showed cattle on feed at ninety seven point
nine percent that was slightly below the average essement of
ninety eight point three percent. Placements were reported at eighty
eight point four percent, below the average anale assessment of
ninety two point four and marketings eighty eight point two percent,
(10:25):
largely in line with expectations. This morning's wholesale box bief
report was firm, so how choice cuts up three sixty
one to three sixty eighty nine and select cuts at
three dollars and fifty seven cent hire to three forty
seven to fifty four. Yesterday's daily livestock summary from the
USCA showed live seer prices at two twenty eight twenty two.
That's fairly steady with what we saw throughout the week.
(10:47):
Daily slaughter was reported at one hundred and twenty three
thousand head, which put the week today total at four
hundred and seventy two thousand. That's about twelve thousand head
less in the same period last week and last year.
Speaker 8 (10:58):
Well price reports influenced by money pin conditions in Nebraska
and Iowa, causing some sellers to accept bids at two
twenty eight two dollars lower dress prices though up to
to three dollars three fifty seven to three fifty eight
in the same area. American Cattle News.
Speaker 1 (11:23):
This is Dairy Radio now.
Speaker 15 (11:27):
Happy New Year bittersweet as we close out the final
shows at Dairy Radio Now, a program that began in
the nineteen eighties with Lee Milki and Dairy Line Radio,
and Lee joins me again. It's like a Whitney Houston song. Lee,
we believe that children are our future. Teach them well
and let them lead the way.
Speaker 13 (11:45):
Of course, yes, a lot of dairy farms that are
not being taken over by the younger generation, and in
some respect I don't blame them. I mean, I've always
had tremendous respect for dairy farmers and for the dairy industry.
I've always been happy that I'm on my side of
the microphone because it is a very grueling, hard life
(12:05):
that is there almost twenty four to seven. It's one
that dairy farmers absolutely love because it's a great way
and place to raise children and to teach them values
that you know, figues flickers don't have. On the other hand,
the younger generation, as they see the ups and downs
(12:26):
of milk pricing and the work that it requires, they
don'tt to do that, and you can't blame them. But
there are other careers in agriculture and in dairy that
can be sought after and should be because the dairy
industries is going to survive. People love and we've just
got some recent statistics showing the increase in dairy consumption.
(12:51):
It is heartwarming. It is very gratifying to see, you know, cheese.
People love cheese, pizza, and so many aspects in the
industry that you can't pursue and be a part of,
from processing to you know, being involved in like what
we're doing in the media. So for the young people
(13:13):
listening today that are somewhat discouraged about running a dairy farm,
seek out those other areas in the dairy industry because
they are all fulfilling and serve mankind.
Speaker 15 (13:24):
And that's how we learned about sustainability in our carbon
footprint and caring for our land and animals and being
stewards of the land. That was all because of the
dairy industry. They were pretty much the leaders and all that.
Speaker 13 (13:36):
Yes, yes, well, and you know, it makes common sense
that the dairy farmer is going to treat his for
her soil and land carefully because they're living on it
and they don't want to pollute the own very ground
and ground water that they drink, you know, themselves. So
the Washington State, California and Oregon with environmental tax trying
(14:01):
to put the depth of the dairy industry and then
replace it, you know, with plant based products. And of
course that's the whole subject in itself, that the plant
based beverages do not compete with real dairy products calls
milk because their nutritional package is lacking severely and much.
It can be said about the environmental impact of raising
(14:22):
the plant based beverage products takes more harm to the
environment than actual dairy farm does.
Speaker 15 (14:28):
Yes, And through the years we've seen larger operations buying
out the smaller ones pretty much in every business. But
you know, you've seen the business model change for the
US dairy farmer.
Speaker 13 (14:38):
You know how farmers have the same old habits, you know,
and when dairy prices go down, melt production goes up,
and when prices up, milk production goes up. And it's
the it's the standby answer to either way. And it
reminds me of the two dairy farmers that were two
(14:58):
guys that got into the hayhol business and they were
buying hey in eastern Washington for one hundred and eighty
dollars a ton, and they were selling it in western
Washington for one hundred and sixty. After a month and
a half, their banker calls him in says, you guys
are losing money, hand over fishing and make some big changes.
And they agreed, so they went out and bought a
second truck.
Speaker 15 (15:19):
Yes, indeed, Well, Lee, thank This is the final time.
Really want to thank you through the decades. So the
dairy industry thanks you and will be continuing to read
your column.
Speaker 13 (15:28):
Yeah, it's bitter sweet. It is bittersweet. Well, I hope
to keep it up. As I've often said, I still
have not found a rocking chair that fits me at
age seventy four, So I'll continue writing the column for
as long as a few there are still newspapers around.
And you know, I love you to death. We became
(15:50):
really close friends and brothers through all these years, and
I think of the trips that we made.
Speaker 16 (15:56):
Thank you, my friend.
Speaker 1 (15:57):
Thanks Lee.
Speaker 15 (15:57):
Lee, Milk dairy line founder and call list of the
Milky Market Weekly. Here on Dairy Radio, Nap.
Speaker 17 (16:07):
And amend and pistachio grower talks about well the health
benefits of consuming these nuts. I'm Patrick Cavanaugh with a
California tree nut Report. Part of the vast ag Information Network.
William Bordeaux is executive vice president of Harris Farms, a
major operation producing many crops in western Fresno County. He
personally farms pistachios, but he also oversees a lot of
(16:30):
pistachio and almonds with Harris Farms. He talks about the
health benefits of these nuts.
Speaker 16 (16:36):
I think it's a great product. Both almends and pistachios
are are very good for you. There's a lot of
health studies that substantiate that. And so I think as
global consumption increases and even domestic consumption increases for a
wide variety of reasons, and I think the health benefits
are a large factor in that. I think these products
(16:58):
will continue to you know, be in demand, not just
in the United States, but across the world.
Speaker 17 (17:04):
And we asked Bordeaux about pest pressure, especially naval orange worm.
Speaker 16 (17:08):
I have heard some of that, but we didn't experience it.
And maybe because we are pretty proactive and we do
a maating disruption and different things to make sure that
you know, we don't get hit by a naval orange worm.
We have really good farm managers that run first class
operation and so we were able to avoid this damage
this last year, and I feel pretty good about the
(17:30):
crop on the trees.
Speaker 18 (17:31):
The 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 the 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
(17:52):
to their 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.
(18:14):
This is 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 17 (18:28):
With the AG Information Network, I'm Patrick Kavanaugh.
Speaker 19 (18:31):
Stephanie Hoff reports that removable carros on phosphate imports is
expected to provide price relief and make the nutrient more
affordable for farmers.
Speaker 20 (18:41):
Farmers are facing big decisions around inputs, especially fertilizer, amidst
tight margins. Today we're checking in with how recent policy
changes are finally providing some price relief on phosphate. For example,
Ben Pratt joins us. He's vice president of public affairs
with the Mosaic Company, and he kicks us off today
with what the fertilizer market looks like.
Speaker 21 (19:03):
Well, we think recent policy decisions in the United States,
with the removal of tariffs on imports of phosphates is
in particular, is going to provide some relief for farmers
on pricing, and we're seeing that already, so we would
expect phosphate to be more available. It's been very tight
in the US recently, so we would expect phosphate prices
to come down from the very higher levels they've been recently.
(19:25):
That said, global demand for phosphate is still very high
for lots of different reasons, including industrial uses in batteries,
and so.
Speaker 12 (19:33):
Phosphate supply will continue to be tight.
Speaker 21 (19:36):
The other nutrient that we deal with at mosaic potash,
and we think potash prices are affordable for farmers now
and that the free flow of potash into the US,
mostly from Canada in our case, will lead to continuing
affordability for potash. So overall, understand that fertilizer affordability has
(19:57):
been tough for farmers, especially in light of crop prices
in recent times, but we see some hope for some
relief on the horizon.
Speaker 20 (20:05):
In twenty six you mentioned we rely so much on
other countries, right, importing phosphorus, bringing in potash from Canada.
Is there any work to boost domestic production of these things?
Speaker 9 (20:17):
Are we even able.
Speaker 19 (20:18):
To do that?
Speaker 12 (20:19):
It's really tough to boost domestic production.
Speaker 21 (20:21):
For example, if we build a new phosphate mind takes
several years and billions of dollars to get that mine
up and running. It's even more expensive forsphor potash because
it's so deep in the ground. So boosting actual domestic
production is tough. I will say the recent decision by
the federal government to include phosphorus and potassium on the
Critical Minerals list is helpful and it sort of memorializes
(20:46):
these minerals as a critical to the food security of
our country, and we hope that that should at least
speed up things like federal government permitting to allow us
to produce more quickly.
Speaker 20 (20:56):
Is that the point of being on that list as
a critical mineral all is that the processes get sped up.
What exactly is the benefit of being on that list, Well, we.
Speaker 12 (21:05):
Hope that's one of the benefits.
Speaker 21 (21:06):
I think just the recognition that these minerals are critical
to food security in the country, when in the past
they've been excluded from the list because they were looked
at as industrial minerals when really most of the phosphate
that's mined and created in the world goes to fertilizer
and helps feed the world. So just the recognition that
these things are critical to US food security and US
(21:28):
national security are a good starting point where it leads
us from there, we'll see.
Speaker 20 (21:32):
The reason I ask about the grand picture of fertilizer
in twenty twenty six is that I want you to
maybe provide some intel for our growers what should be
going through their mind when it comes to planning for
their growing season.
Speaker 21 (21:46):
Well, the biggest thing to me is that the twenty
twenty five crop for most regions of the United States
was big and with a big crop, a lot of
the nutrients that went to the field have been removed,
and so they growers if they want to achieve the
same kinds of yields as they did in twenty five,
they're going to need to apply nutrients. So I guess
(22:08):
the calculus needs to be when to buy, but they
do need to buy, and they need to apply because
the soils are in need of good balance nutrition.
Speaker 20 (22:17):
Mosaic sells products to to kind of unlock maybe some
of the nutrients that you already have in the ground.
Is that something you see farmers embracing.
Speaker 21 (22:26):
Yes, the mosaic biosciences business is relatively new for us.
Speaker 12 (22:29):
New in the last few years.
Speaker 21 (22:31):
We are demonstrating the efficacy of those products, and really
what we're after there is nutrient use efficiency, helping more
of the nutrients that farmers apply to fields find their
way into the plants and less of it lost either
to the soil permanently or to other parts of the environment.
Speaker 12 (22:47):
Really promising technologies.
Speaker 21 (22:49):
We have done the field work to demonstrate that they work,
and I think we have the big advantage for Mosaic
compared to a lot of the smaller participants in that
space is that we have the districtbution capability, and we
know the farmers and retailers out there that can get
this stuff in the farmer's hands and show.
Speaker 12 (23:06):
Them how to use it.
Speaker 20 (23:07):
Ben Pratt, along with US Vice President of Public Affairs
with the Mosaic Company, underscoring that both policy relief and
nutrient use efficiency can help growers strengthen their profitability. This year,
I'm Stephanie Hoff.
Speaker 22 (23:21):
It's time for California add today on the AG Information Network,
I am Haley's ship. While tourism, growth and recovery in
the food service sector are creating opportunities for grain fed
beef in Japan, inflation and a persistently weak yen are
creating challenges for US beef. You know the drill, see
(23:42):
the challenge by the opportunity for the US Meat Export
Federation that has meant elevating prime grade US beef alongside
the domestic wigo. Japanese consumers know and love That strategy
recently showed up in Tokyo with support from US beef producers.
Traveling is part of the Pacific Northwest Initiative. USMEF hosted
(24:02):
its first ever seminar in Japan. Thirty upscale club members
from a high end lifestyle magazine were invited to the table.
USMEF Japan Senior Director of Consumer Affairs taj Hijikata said,
we are working to increase awareness of US prime grade
beef as a premium product in Japan. Washington State Beef
Commission producers Peter Scherie and Will Dirting introduced their ranches
(24:26):
and explained how feeding and animal welfare practices lead to
quality beef. Chef David Marky of the Ana Intercontinental Hotel,
Tokyo shared his rationale for choosing American beef for the
restaurant's signature MENUS funding support comes from the Beef Checkoff
Program and USDA's Market Access Program.
Speaker 18 (24:45):
You've probably been told that to reach a millennial farmer
you have to go digital hmm, Facebook, Vimeo, YouTube, Instagram, Pinterest,
LinkedIn and online publication or maybe a podcast hmm, but
which one?
Speaker 13 (24:59):
Oh?
Speaker 18 (25:00):
And how receptive is this age group to your sales
pitch during non work social time. Maybe 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
(25:22):
station featuring the AGG Information Network News. 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.
Speaker 22 (25:42):
On the AAG Information Network.
Speaker 1 (25:44):
I am Hatley. Ship Bob went back with some farm
news this morning. Friends. Another year has come and gone
without farm labor reforms, and a long time senator explains
why Iowa Senator and farmer Chuck Grassley is as frustrated
as any over Congress's decades long failure to reform the
H two A guest worker program.
Speaker 5 (26:03):
It makes common sense that agriculture needs workers year round,
not seasonal workers, particularly if you're an animal agriculture.
Speaker 1 (26:12):
As one example, more than three hundred and fifty food
and farm worker groups came together on a twenty twenty
two bill sponsored by Colorado Democrat Michael Bennett.
Speaker 6 (26:22):
Increases the number of H two A visas and opens
the program up to year round jobs for the first
time ever. It creates wage certainty for farmers to protect
them from harmful swings and labor costs.
Speaker 1 (26:34):
And Bennett claims it would have saved farmers twenty three
billion dollars over twelve years, or two billion more than
a House passed version, but was not to be in
the Senate, where three years later, Grassley says, these same
issues still stand in the way.
Speaker 5 (26:49):
There's people on the right are going to hold for
anything unless you get twelve million people illegally in our
country out of the country, and that isn't feasible. And
then there's people on the land wovoe for anything that
you don't make people's citizens.
Speaker 1 (27:04):
Yesterday, the earlier bill tried to strike a compromise by
creating a temporary renewable legal status for farm workers already here,
with an option to earn permanent legal status well friends.
The Farm Workforce Modernization Act has had trouble gaining traction
in recent years because in part of problems with border security.
(27:24):
Washington Representative Dan Newhouse, who just announced he's not seeking
reelection next year, said it's become easier to get conversations
on the act moving now that the border issues aren't
being addressed.
Speaker 7 (27:36):
The answer is yes, that is helping those that told
me they couldn't support increasing the number of people coming
into the country while our border was so porous and
in crisis. That is helping them get to a point
where Okay, now we can look at the needs we
have in agriculture.
Speaker 1 (27:52):
But then Newhouse says, border security isn't the only issue
some have had with the bill.
Speaker 7 (27:57):
They're still concerned by a number of members that they
want to make sure that Americans are not being denied
employment opportunities. So why are we bringing in more foreign
workers when there's a lot of people here unemployed. Of course,
we have a story to tell there that most Americans
don't want to do the farm work that we have
to have done, and so that's part of the educational
challenges we have.
Speaker 1 (28:17):
However, the border situation is helping the conversation.
Speaker 7 (28:21):
But I think overall, yes, the better situation that the
border is working in our favor as we push to
get this done.
Speaker 1 (28:28):
The Farm Workforce Modernization Act has been a passion for
new House as he pushes to get it passed before
the end of his final term well friends. The development
of the producer driven National Swine Health Strategy is guided
by both the National Pork Board and the National Pork
Producer's Council, with the assistance of an advisory group, aiming
(28:48):
to be approved in March of twenty six. The goal
is to bring coordination, clarity, and long term vision to
the industry's disease preparedness and health management efforts. Dusty Odokovin, DVM,
chief Veterinarian for the National Pork Board, says, the process
started with feedback loops.
Speaker 4 (29:06):
That has led to the development of a survey that
we conducted over the summer months. So from June to August,
we gathered survey responses from producers and other stakeholders in
the industry. We also conducted over forty seven listening sessions,
really trying to get an understanding from producers just a
couple of things, What is their major sline health challenge
(29:26):
that they see and how can we address those challenges
in the coming years.
Speaker 1 (29:30):
After compiling all these survey data, the Advisory Group identified
two key goals that will be shared throughout the winter.
Speaker 4 (29:37):
And so between now and then, we have several opportunities
to meet with our state pork associations, and many of
those state associations have meetings throughout the winter months. We're
also going to take an opportunity to share what we've
learned with the executive directors of the state pork associations
and gather their feedback and just make sure that they
understand what we've heard from producers and from this advisory group.
Speaker 1 (29:59):
One goal center on preventing the introduction of disease not
currently present in the US, as their detection would have
serious trade limiting consequences.
Speaker 4 (30:08):
We're typically talking about three diseases. One that we're familiar
with because we've been talking about it for years, and
that's African swine fever virus, Another is classical swine fever virus,
really two different viruses, and then foot mouth disease. So
we'll continue our efforts to prevent the introduction of those
pathogens and to help our producers be prepared if we
are to get an incursion of those The second priority
(30:29):
under that first goal is to keep an eye out
for emerging diseases. And emerging diseases are those that may
not necessarily bring along the trade limiting impact which may
be concerning for the industry.
Speaker 1 (30:40):
Another important goal to the National Swineheld Strategy identified by producers,
centered on managing endemic diseases.
Speaker 4 (30:48):
We've got diseases like PERS ped virus and others which
have a major economic impact every day on the farms
here in the United States, and so it's not surprising,
you know that one of the biggest response is when
we ask producers, what's your number one health concern, it's
pers you know, And that was overwhelmingly the big response
that we got to the second goal of help limit
the losses and help dress these endemic diseases that we have.
(31:10):
The priorities were bold. One priority is to identify and
limit the spread of endemic diseases among the uswineherd.
Speaker 1 (31:18):
The Nationalistwine Held Strategy aims to align the industry, ultimately
creating a healthier US hog herd farm news This morning,
you're listening to WAG Life.
Speaker 23 (31:30):
From the Egg Information Network. I'm Bob Larson with your
agribusiness update. Well, the Oregon Wine Board has announced its
new slate of board officers and the governor's appointment of
two new board directors to the twenty twenty six Oregon
Wine Board of directors beginning their tenure next month. Morningeclips
dot com reports Tiquette Brahm, led founder of Henderson abb
and co founder of Our Legacy Harvested, we'll take over
(31:52):
his board chair, and Christina Gonzalez, founder and winemaker of
Gonzales Wine Company, will be the new vice chair. E
Any News reporter Gracie Cavorro says that House Republicans are
planning to revive farm bill negotiations in January after failing
to garner enough political will to pass a new deal
by the end of the year. Yarrow reported, House agg
Chair Gt. Thompson said he wants to get a mark
(32:13):
up on the calendar ahead of the January thirtieth funding deadline,
though he acknowledged it may be too complicated to attach
the farm bill to new spending legislation, and the USDA
has not planned to issue additional emergency farm made beyond
the recently announced twelve billion dollar assistance package, according to
Under Secretary for Farm Production and Conservation Richard Fordyce. But
(32:34):
economists and farm advocates warn many operations may continue to
struggle without further support or stronger export growth. The shift
of rising imports and slowing exports have pushed the sector
into a widening trade deficit, weighing heavily on farm income.
Speaker 18 (32:49):
For the last forty years, the AG 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 AG Information Network,
reaching coast to coast, deep roots and farming. In decades
(33:12):
of reporting, the AG Information Network trusted and transparent journalism
for generations. For over forty years, the AGG Information Network
has been providing news and information for the most important
industry in the world, agriculture. The AGG Information Network gives
you worldwide updates from local producers to regional organizations, from
major crops like wheat and corn, to animal agriculture to
(33:35):
specially crops like apples, almonds, and cherries. We report on
stories that mean the most to you online at aginfo
dot net. The AG Information Network trusted and transparent journalism
lasting for the next generation.
Speaker 23 (33:47):
From the EGG Information Network, I'm Bob Larson with today's
Agribusiness Update.
Speaker 1 (33:51):
Bob went back to wrap up aglife for today friends,
there's a good story about the sustainability of the US
dairy industry. As Chad Smith wraps us up.
Speaker 19 (33:58):
The Innovation Cetter for US Dairy just release the twenty
twenty three twenty twenty four Dairy Sustainability Report, and it
tells a good story about the US dairy industry. Emily Bishop,
Senior Vice president of Social Responsibility for the Innovation Center, said,
the report proves that dairy farmers care about food production
(34:19):
and the environment.
Speaker 24 (34:20):
This report matters because it tells dairy's story with facts, data,
and credibility, especially at a time when expectations around food
health and how food is produced continue to rise. We're
seeing from nutrition and wellness to environmental stewardship and animal care,
stakeholders are asking more questions than ever and if dairy
doesn't tell its own story, someone else will, and they
(34:41):
may not always get it right. So this report celebrates
farmers many decades of commitment to caring for their land, cows,
and communities, and so these proof points matter. They help
protect dairy social license and position US dairy for both
at home and globally.
Speaker 19 (34:56):
Lollie Lesher, a dairy farmer from Pennsylvania, offered her our
initial reaction to the report.
Speaker 25 (35:02):
It's wonderful. So it shows to our consumers that the
dairy industry specifically is moving forward and making big changes
step by step on each and every farm to do
a better job. It's a constant improvement. It's a reflection
of our desire to take really good care of our cows,
our kids, our water, our land, and our community. I
think it's a good job. And keep doing a good job.
(35:22):
You're doing great and it's being noticed. People are taking
mention of the things that we're doing as improvements, and
they should feel proud of what they're doing and to
continue to work on those areas that maybe they have
some more growth opportunity, but they've done a great job
and we should continue and praise them.
Speaker 19 (35:36):
Bishop talked about a couple of key takeaways from this report.
Speaker 24 (35:40):
The key takeaway here is we have data proving farmers
are producing more milk with fewer resources per gallon. So,
just to give you an example, since two thousand and seven,
farmers reduce greenhouse gas emissions per unit of milk by
nearly fifteen percent while increasing milk production by over thirty percent.
The report also demonstrates how the US Dairy Can Unity
(36:00):
is nourishing people and combating food and security in the nation.
More than one and a half billion servings of dairy
were delivered to families in need just in the past
here through Feeding America. Together, these proof points really demonstrate
an industry making measurable progress, responsibly, transparently, and with farmers
really leading the way.
Speaker 19 (36:19):
Dairy farmers should be proud of how far the industry
has advanced its sustainability.
Speaker 24 (36:24):
We are honored to share dairy farmer's story and nourishing
more people than ever while doing so responsibly and sustainably.
This report exists to make sure that progress is documented, understood,
and recognized. This way, the investments farmers are making today
continue to earn trust in the marketplace, shape future expectations,
(36:44):
and really strengthen dairy's position for the long term.
Speaker 19 (36:47):
Again, that's Family Bishop of the Innovation Center for US
Dairy Chad Smith reporting
Speaker 1 (36:53):
With that friends, aro ount of time for today, Thanks
for joining us back tomorrow morning with another edition of
Bag Life
Good morning, Valley. This is Aglife. My name is Bob Quinn.
With you for the next hour. We're talking about agricultural
production here in the valley and all across the country.
Oh USDA is currently reaching out to organic growers.
Speaker 2 (00:11):
Stage one of USDA's latest organic survey is wide digged down.
Speaker 3 (00:16):
Those organic producers or those traditioning into certified organic production
will receive a survey a postcard to reply online. We
always want to be good stewards of public funds, so
one of the ways we do that is by first
sending those that are in scope for the survey an
invitation to reply online. That's the least expensive way for
us to be able to collect that data.
Speaker 2 (00:37):
Joseph Parsons, administrator of the National Agricultural Statistic Service from
early December, when organic producers received their code by mail.
Speaker 3 (00:45):
The last survey that we conducted as part of the
Census of Agriculture program on organics was in twenty twenty one.
This is part of the Census of Agriculture program and
we'll be going back out to producers on this topic
shortly med.
Speaker 2 (00:58):
Those replied online this month to participate in the organic
survey should expect a full survey questionnaire bailed to them
in January.
Speaker 3 (01:06):
The deadline for responsibly February fifth.
Speaker 2 (01:09):
What might participating producers expect with the full Organic Survey, QUESTIONEDAIIR.
Speaker 3 (01:14):
Like a number of things within US agriculture, the organics
is kind of a unique slice of US agriculture, and
so it spans lots of different things, but it's around
organic practices, and so we'll be collecting data on organic production,
marketing practices, income and expenses across the United States, and
so that's kind of a unique data set to have
a look at the organic industry within agriculture.
Speaker 2 (01:35):
And like all asked data sets, including the SETSUS of agriculture,
the findings what survey results are released will draw interest
beyond organic industry stakeholders.
Speaker 3 (01:45):
This effort's critical to determining the economic impact of organic
agriculture on the nation, and so I think there's a
wide variety of stakeholders and policy makers that have an
interest and these data, along with the time series that
we've collected over the last several years.
Speaker 2 (01:59):
More detail tales about the Organic Survey are available online
at www dot NAS dot USDA dot go, slash go,
slash organick Rodbain, reporting for the US Department of Agriculture
in Washington.
Speaker 4 (02:14):
D C.
Speaker 1 (02:14):
Farm News Ahead, you're listening to Aglife. Bob Quent back
with some farm news this morning. Friends. Another year has
come and gone without farm labor reforms, and a long
time senator explains why Iowa Senator and farmer Chuck Grassley
is as frustrated as any over Congress's decades long failure
to reform the H two way guest worker program.
Speaker 5 (02:35):
It makes common sense that agriculture needs workers year round,
not seasonal workers at particular if you're an animal agriculture.
As one example, more than.
Speaker 1 (02:46):
Three hundred and fifty food and farm worker groups came
together on a twenty twenty two bill sponsored by Colorado
Democrat Michael Bennett.
Speaker 6 (02:54):
Increases the number of H two A visas and opens
the program up to year round jobs for the first
time ever. It creates waves certainty for farmers to protect
them from harmful swings and labor costs.
Speaker 1 (03:06):
And Bennett claims it would have saved farmers twenty three
billion dollars over twelve years, or two billion more than
a House passed version, but was not to be in
the Senate, where three years later, Grassley says, these same
issues still stand in the way.
Speaker 5 (03:21):
There's people on the right are going to vote for
anything unless you get twelve million people illegally in our
country out of the country, and that is unfeasible. And
then there's people on the left w vote for anything
that you don't make people's citizens.
Speaker 1 (03:36):
Yesterday, the earlier bill tried to strike a compromise by
creating a temporary renewable legal status for farm workers already here,
with an option to earn permanent legal status. Well, friends,
The Farm Workforce Modernization Act has had trouble gaining traction
in recent years because in part of problems with border security.
(03:56):
Washington Representative Dan Newhouse, who just announced he's not seeking
reelection next year, said it's become easier to get conversations
on the act moving now that the border issues are
being addressed.
Speaker 7 (04:08):
The answer is yes, that is helping those that told
me they couldn't support increasing the number of people coming
into the country while our border was so poor us
and in crisis. That is helping them get to a
point where, Okay, now we can look at the needs
we have in agriculture.
Speaker 1 (04:24):
But then new Hou says, border security isn't the only
issue some have had with the bill.
Speaker 7 (04:29):
They're still concerned by a number of members that they
want to make sure that Americans are not being denied
employment opportunities. So why are we bringing in more foreign
workers when there's a lot of people here unemployed. Of course,
we have a story to tell there that most Americans
don't want to do the farm work that we have
to have done, and so that's part of the educational
challenges we have.
Speaker 1 (04:49):
However, the border situation is helping the conversation.
Speaker 7 (04:53):
But I think overall, yes, the better situation that the
border is working in our favor as we push to get.
Speaker 1 (05:00):
The Farm Workforce Modernization Act has been a passion for
New House as he pushes to get it passed before
the end of his final term. Well Friends, the Fertilizer
Institute applauded the House of Representatives for passing HR forty
seven seventy six, the Standard Permitting and Expediting Economic Development
or SPEED Act. Now the bipartisan legislation is focused on
(05:23):
taking more important steps to modernize the federal permitting process
while maintaining strong environmental protection. Fertilizer production is highly capital
intensive and requires long term investments in minds, manufacturing plants,
and processing facilities, says TFI President and CEO Corey Rosenbusch.
(05:44):
Even with additional projects in development after extensive environmental analysis,
these projects too often face years of uncertainty due to
duplicative reviews, poor coordination, and permitting related litigation. The bill
modernizes and reforms the National Environmental Policy Act review process,
(06:04):
codifying a recent Supreme Court decision clarifying that environmental reviews
should focus on impacts with a reasonably close causal relationship
to the project under review that will help return an
EPA to its intended role as a procedural statute rather
than a tool for indefinite delay. Again, these Speed Act
(06:26):
has passed the House. So farm news this morning, you're
listening to Aglife.
Speaker 8 (06:31):
It's another agnews update TI cattle supplies, improving grain logistics
and shifting specialty crop strategies. More after this.
Speaker 9 (06:41):
At the American Veterinary Medical Association Annual Convention in Denver,
we caught up with Michael Gerghi from Student Loan Advisor.
Speaker 10 (06:48):
I think the biggest thing to remember when it comes
down to student loans and student loan forgiveness is that
you have to be very, very vigilant, because it really
can be one of the biggest empowering choices of your life.
To go out and get this degree. Inside of the
veterinary field can be a tremendous roadblock if it's not
managed properly, So we really try and encourage that as
the overarching theme and the top line piece of advice
that we give the books.
Speaker 9 (07:07):
There's more valuable information on AVMA dot org.
Speaker 8 (07:10):
Latest Cattle on Feed report confirming tighter supplies with no surprises.
Placements did fall sharply and feed lot inventories did decline
year over year. It reinforces expectations for continued cattle market
support into early next year. Texas feed lot numbers remain
under added pressures. The Mexican border stays closed to feeder
(07:34):
cattle due to New World screw worm concerns, further restricting
the placements now in grain markets. Transportation conditions showed modest
improvement rail volume surging, barge movement rebounding, and diesel prices easing,
helping offset seasonal logistics, and that despite on even export
(07:58):
loading and link river constraints. Beyond road, crops and livestock
specialty producers adjusting as well. Eastern wineries continue gaining ground
in a flat wine market by leaning into direct to
consumer sales and local agriturism models, offering a template for
(08:19):
value added resilience in rural communities. It's another agnews update.
Speaker 9 (08:26):
Hey there, the hello, Hello, huh hey, hey, la Hi.
Speaker 11 (08:33):
It takes a lot of voices to create the sound
of us. The Why welcomes all of them with open arms,
from career readiness to safe spaces. The Why is there.
Speaker 12 (08:43):
No matter who we are.
Speaker 11 (08:45):
Now more than ever, they need your support, support your
local Why Today The Why or better.
Speaker 12 (08:52):
Us read by members of the Why.
Speaker 8 (08:56):
American Cattle News Today will take a look at the
latest Cattle on Feed report. More after this.
Speaker 9 (09:05):
At the American Veterinary Medical Association Annual Convention in Denver,
we caught up with Michael Gerghi from Student Loan Advisor.
Speaker 10 (09:12):
I think the biggest thing to remember when it comes
down to student loans and student loan forgiveness is that
you have to be very, very vigilant because it really
can be one of the biggest empowering choices of your
life to go out and get this degree inside of
the veterinary field, or it can be a tremendous roadblock.
Speaker 13 (09:25):
If it's not managed properly.
Speaker 10 (09:26):
So we really try and encourage that as the overarching
theme and the top line piece of advice that we
give the books.
Speaker 9 (09:31):
There's more valuable information on AVMA dot work.
Speaker 8 (09:34):
Oliver's slope is with blue line futures. In Chicago.
Speaker 14 (09:39):
At the closed February live cattle features two dollars and
four cents hired at the two thirty eighty for the week.
That was a dollar twenty five higher, which marked the
fourth consecutive week of gains. March, theeder cattle features game
four dollars and eighty cents, settling at three thirty nine
forty for the week. That was five dollars and thirty
two cents high. Like live cattle, that was the fourth
straight week of gains. Over On the outside February lean
(10:02):
Hoggs finished the day thirty seven centire, which put them
right near unchanged on the week. Now, there was a
cattle on feed report this afternoon right after the close.
That report showed cattle on feed at ninety seven point
nine percent that was slightly below the average essement of
ninety eight point three percent. Placements were reported at eighty
eight point four percent, below the average anale assessment of
ninety two point four and marketings eighty eight point two percent,
(10:25):
largely in line with expectations. This morning's wholesale box bief
report was firm, so how choice cuts up three sixty
one to three sixty eighty nine and select cuts at
three dollars and fifty seven cent hire to three forty
seven to fifty four. Yesterday's daily livestock summary from the
USCA showed live seer prices at two twenty eight twenty two.
That's fairly steady with what we saw throughout the week.
(10:47):
Daily slaughter was reported at one hundred and twenty three
thousand head, which put the week today total at four
hundred and seventy two thousand. That's about twelve thousand head
less in the same period last week and last year.
Speaker 8 (10:58):
Well price reports influenced by money pin conditions in Nebraska
and Iowa, causing some sellers to accept bids at two
twenty eight two dollars lower dress prices though up to
to three dollars three fifty seven to three fifty eight
in the same area. American Cattle News.
Speaker 1 (11:23):
This is Dairy Radio now.
Speaker 15 (11:27):
Happy New Year bittersweet as we close out the final
shows at Dairy Radio Now, a program that began in
the nineteen eighties with Lee Milki and Dairy Line Radio,
and Lee joins me again. It's like a Whitney Houston song. Lee,
we believe that children are our future. Teach them well
and let them lead the way.
Speaker 13 (11:45):
Of course, yes, a lot of dairy farms that are
not being taken over by the younger generation, and in
some respect I don't blame them. I mean, I've always
had tremendous respect for dairy farmers and for the dairy industry.
I've always been happy that I'm on my side of
the microphone because it is a very grueling, hard life
(12:05):
that is there almost twenty four to seven. It's one
that dairy farmers absolutely love because it's a great way
and place to raise children and to teach them values
that you know, figues flickers don't have. On the other hand,
the younger generation, as they see the ups and downs
(12:26):
of milk pricing and the work that it requires, they
don'tt to do that, and you can't blame them. But
there are other careers in agriculture and in dairy that
can be sought after and should be because the dairy
industries is going to survive. People love and we've just
got some recent statistics showing the increase in dairy consumption.
(12:51):
It is heartwarming. It is very gratifying to see, you know, cheese.
People love cheese, pizza, and so many aspects in the
industry that you can't pursue and be a part of,
from processing to you know, being involved in like what
we're doing in the media. So for the young people
(13:13):
listening today that are somewhat discouraged about running a dairy farm,
seek out those other areas in the dairy industry because
they are all fulfilling and serve mankind.
Speaker 15 (13:24):
And that's how we learned about sustainability in our carbon
footprint and caring for our land and animals and being
stewards of the land. That was all because of the
dairy industry. They were pretty much the leaders and all that.
Speaker 13 (13:36):
Yes, yes, well, and you know, it makes common sense
that the dairy farmer is going to treat his for
her soil and land carefully because they're living on it
and they don't want to pollute the own very ground
and ground water that they drink, you know, themselves. So
the Washington State, California and Oregon with environmental tax trying
(14:01):
to put the depth of the dairy industry and then
replace it, you know, with plant based products. And of
course that's the whole subject in itself, that the plant
based beverages do not compete with real dairy products calls
milk because their nutritional package is lacking severely and much.
It can be said about the environmental impact of raising
(14:22):
the plant based beverage products takes more harm to the
environment than actual dairy farm does.
Speaker 15 (14:28):
Yes, And through the years we've seen larger operations buying
out the smaller ones pretty much in every business. But
you know, you've seen the business model change for the
US dairy farmer.
Speaker 13 (14:38):
You know how farmers have the same old habits, you know,
and when dairy prices go down, melt production goes up,
and when prices up, milk production goes up. And it's
the it's the standby answer to either way. And it
reminds me of the two dairy farmers that were two
(14:58):
guys that got into the hayhol business and they were
buying hey in eastern Washington for one hundred and eighty
dollars a ton, and they were selling it in western
Washington for one hundred and sixty. After a month and
a half, their banker calls him in says, you guys
are losing money, hand over fishing and make some big changes.
And they agreed, so they went out and bought a
second truck.
Speaker 15 (15:19):
Yes, indeed, Well, Lee, thank This is the final time.
Really want to thank you through the decades. So the
dairy industry thanks you and will be continuing to read
your column.
Speaker 13 (15:28):
Yeah, it's bitter sweet. It is bittersweet. Well, I hope
to keep it up. As I've often said, I still
have not found a rocking chair that fits me at
age seventy four, So I'll continue writing the column for
as long as a few there are still newspapers around.
And you know, I love you to death. We became
(15:50):
really close friends and brothers through all these years, and
I think of the trips that we made.
Speaker 16 (15:56):
Thank you, my friend.
Speaker 1 (15:57):
Thanks Lee.
Speaker 15 (15:57):
Lee, Milk dairy line founder and call list of the
Milky Market Weekly. Here on Dairy Radio, Nap.
Speaker 17 (16:07):
And amend and pistachio grower talks about well the health
benefits of consuming these nuts. I'm Patrick Cavanaugh with a
California tree nut Report. Part of the vast ag Information Network.
William Bordeaux is executive vice president of Harris Farms, a
major operation producing many crops in western Fresno County. He
personally farms pistachios, but he also oversees a lot of
(16:30):
pistachio and almonds with Harris Farms. He talks about the
health benefits of these nuts.
Speaker 16 (16:36):
I think it's a great product. Both almends and pistachios
are are very good for you. There's a lot of
health studies that substantiate that. And so I think as
global consumption increases and even domestic consumption increases for a
wide variety of reasons, and I think the health benefits
are a large factor in that. I think these products
(16:58):
will continue to you know, be in demand, not just
in the United States, but across the world.
Speaker 17 (17:04):
And we asked Bordeaux about pest pressure, especially naval orange worm.
Speaker 16 (17:08):
I have heard some of that, but we didn't experience it.
And maybe because we are pretty proactive and we do
a maating disruption and different things to make sure that
you know, we don't get hit by a naval orange worm.
We have really good farm managers that run first class
operation and so we were able to avoid this damage
this last year, and I feel pretty good about the
(17:30):
crop on the trees.
Speaker 18 (17:31):
The 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 the 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
(17:52):
to their 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.
(18:14):
This is 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 17 (18:28):
With the AG Information Network, I'm Patrick Kavanaugh.
Speaker 19 (18:31):
Stephanie Hoff reports that removable carros on phosphate imports is
expected to provide price relief and make the nutrient more
affordable for farmers.
Speaker 20 (18:41):
Farmers are facing big decisions around inputs, especially fertilizer, amidst
tight margins. Today we're checking in with how recent policy
changes are finally providing some price relief on phosphate. For example,
Ben Pratt joins us. He's vice president of public affairs
with the Mosaic Company, and he kicks us off today
with what the fertilizer market looks like.
Speaker 21 (19:03):
Well, we think recent policy decisions in the United States,
with the removal of tariffs on imports of phosphates is
in particular, is going to provide some relief for farmers
on pricing, and we're seeing that already, so we would
expect phosphate to be more available. It's been very tight
in the US recently, so we would expect phosphate prices
to come down from the very higher levels they've been recently.
(19:25):
That said, global demand for phosphate is still very high
for lots of different reasons, including industrial uses in batteries,
and so.
Speaker 12 (19:33):
Phosphate supply will continue to be tight.
Speaker 21 (19:36):
The other nutrient that we deal with at mosaic potash,
and we think potash prices are affordable for farmers now
and that the free flow of potash into the US,
mostly from Canada in our case, will lead to continuing
affordability for potash. So overall, understand that fertilizer affordability has
(19:57):
been tough for farmers, especially in light of crop prices
in recent times, but we see some hope for some
relief on the horizon.
Speaker 20 (20:05):
In twenty six you mentioned we rely so much on
other countries, right, importing phosphorus, bringing in potash from Canada.
Is there any work to boost domestic production of these things?
Speaker 9 (20:17):
Are we even able.
Speaker 19 (20:18):
To do that?
Speaker 12 (20:19):
It's really tough to boost domestic production.
Speaker 21 (20:21):
For example, if we build a new phosphate mind takes
several years and billions of dollars to get that mine
up and running. It's even more expensive forsphor potash because
it's so deep in the ground. So boosting actual domestic
production is tough. I will say the recent decision by
the federal government to include phosphorus and potassium on the
Critical Minerals list is helpful and it sort of memorializes
(20:46):
these minerals as a critical to the food security of
our country, and we hope that that should at least
speed up things like federal government permitting to allow us
to produce more quickly.
Speaker 20 (20:56):
Is that the point of being on that list as
a critical mineral all is that the processes get sped up.
What exactly is the benefit of being on that list, Well, we.
Speaker 12 (21:05):
Hope that's one of the benefits.
Speaker 21 (21:06):
I think just the recognition that these minerals are critical
to food security in the country, when in the past
they've been excluded from the list because they were looked
at as industrial minerals when really most of the phosphate
that's mined and created in the world goes to fertilizer
and helps feed the world. So just the recognition that
these things are critical to US food security and US
(21:28):
national security are a good starting point where it leads
us from there, we'll see.
Speaker 20 (21:32):
The reason I ask about the grand picture of fertilizer
in twenty twenty six is that I want you to
maybe provide some intel for our growers what should be
going through their mind when it comes to planning for
their growing season.
Speaker 21 (21:46):
Well, the biggest thing to me is that the twenty
twenty five crop for most regions of the United States
was big and with a big crop, a lot of
the nutrients that went to the field have been removed,
and so they growers if they want to achieve the
same kinds of yields as they did in twenty five,
they're going to need to apply nutrients. So I guess
(22:08):
the calculus needs to be when to buy, but they
do need to buy, and they need to apply because
the soils are in need of good balance nutrition.
Speaker 20 (22:17):
Mosaic sells products to to kind of unlock maybe some
of the nutrients that you already have in the ground.
Is that something you see farmers embracing.
Speaker 21 (22:26):
Yes, the mosaic biosciences business is relatively new for us.
Speaker 12 (22:29):
New in the last few years.
Speaker 21 (22:31):
We are demonstrating the efficacy of those products, and really
what we're after there is nutrient use efficiency, helping more
of the nutrients that farmers apply to fields find their
way into the plants and less of it lost either
to the soil permanently or to other parts of the environment.
Speaker 12 (22:47):
Really promising technologies.
Speaker 21 (22:49):
We have done the field work to demonstrate that they work,
and I think we have the big advantage for Mosaic
compared to a lot of the smaller participants in that
space is that we have the districtbution capability, and we
know the farmers and retailers out there that can get
this stuff in the farmer's hands and show.
Speaker 12 (23:06):
Them how to use it.
Speaker 20 (23:07):
Ben Pratt, along with US Vice President of Public Affairs
with the Mosaic Company, underscoring that both policy relief and
nutrient use efficiency can help growers strengthen their profitability. This year,
I'm Stephanie Hoff.
Speaker 22 (23:21):
It's time for California add today on the AG Information Network,
I am Haley's ship. While tourism, growth and recovery in
the food service sector are creating opportunities for grain fed
beef in Japan, inflation and a persistently weak yen are
creating challenges for US beef. You know the drill, see
(23:42):
the challenge by the opportunity for the US Meat Export
Federation that has meant elevating prime grade US beef alongside
the domestic wigo. Japanese consumers know and love That strategy
recently showed up in Tokyo with support from US beef producers.
Traveling is part of the Pacific Northwest Initiative. USMEF hosted
(24:02):
its first ever seminar in Japan. Thirty upscale club members
from a high end lifestyle magazine were invited to the table.
USMEF Japan Senior Director of Consumer Affairs taj Hijikata said,
we are working to increase awareness of US prime grade
beef as a premium product in Japan. Washington State Beef
Commission producers Peter Scherie and Will Dirting introduced their ranches
(24:26):
and explained how feeding and animal welfare practices lead to
quality beef. Chef David Marky of the Ana Intercontinental Hotel,
Tokyo shared his rationale for choosing American beef for the
restaurant's signature MENUS funding support comes from the Beef Checkoff
Program and USDA's Market Access Program.
Speaker 18 (24:45):
You've probably been told that to reach a millennial farmer
you have to go digital hmm, Facebook, Vimeo, YouTube, Instagram, Pinterest,
LinkedIn and online publication or maybe a podcast hmm, but
which one?
Speaker 13 (24:59):
Oh?
Speaker 18 (25:00):
And how receptive is this age group to your sales
pitch during non work social time. Maybe 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
(25:22):
station featuring the AGG Information Network News. 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.
Speaker 22 (25:42):
On the AAG Information Network.
Speaker 1 (25:44):
I am Hatley. Ship Bob went back with some farm
news this morning. Friends. Another year has come and gone
without farm labor reforms, and a long time senator explains
why Iowa Senator and farmer Chuck Grassley is as frustrated
as any over Congress's decades long failure to reform the
H two A guest worker program.
Speaker 5 (26:03):
It makes common sense that agriculture needs workers year round,
not seasonal workers, particularly if you're an animal agriculture.
Speaker 1 (26:12):
As one example, more than three hundred and fifty food
and farm worker groups came together on a twenty twenty
two bill sponsored by Colorado Democrat Michael Bennett.
Speaker 6 (26:22):
Increases the number of H two A visas and opens
the program up to year round jobs for the first
time ever. It creates wage certainty for farmers to protect
them from harmful swings and labor costs.
Speaker 1 (26:34):
And Bennett claims it would have saved farmers twenty three
billion dollars over twelve years, or two billion more than
a House passed version, but was not to be in
the Senate, where three years later, Grassley says, these same
issues still stand in the way.
Speaker 5 (26:49):
There's people on the right are going to hold for
anything unless you get twelve million people illegally in our
country out of the country, and that isn't feasible. And
then there's people on the land wovoe for anything that
you don't make people's citizens.
Speaker 1 (27:04):
Yesterday, the earlier bill tried to strike a compromise by
creating a temporary renewable legal status for farm workers already here,
with an option to earn permanent legal status well friends.
The Farm Workforce Modernization Act has had trouble gaining traction
in recent years because in part of problems with border security.
(27:24):
Washington Representative Dan Newhouse, who just announced he's not seeking
reelection next year, said it's become easier to get conversations
on the act moving now that the border issues aren't
being addressed.
Speaker 7 (27:36):
The answer is yes, that is helping those that told
me they couldn't support increasing the number of people coming
into the country while our border was so porous and
in crisis. That is helping them get to a point
where Okay, now we can look at the needs we
have in agriculture.
Speaker 1 (27:52):
But then Newhouse says, border security isn't the only issue
some have had with the bill.
Speaker 7 (27:57):
They're still concerned by a number of members that they
want to make sure that Americans are not being denied
employment opportunities. So why are we bringing in more foreign
workers when there's a lot of people here unemployed. Of course,
we have a story to tell there that most Americans
don't want to do the farm work that we have
to have done, and so that's part of the educational
challenges we have.
Speaker 1 (28:17):
However, the border situation is helping the conversation.
Speaker 7 (28:21):
But I think overall, yes, the better situation that the
border is working in our favor as we push to
get this done.
Speaker 1 (28:28):
The Farm Workforce Modernization Act has been a passion for
new House as he pushes to get it passed before
the end of his final term well friends. The development
of the producer driven National Swine Health Strategy is guided
by both the National Pork Board and the National Pork
Producer's Council, with the assistance of an advisory group, aiming
(28:48):
to be approved in March of twenty six. The goal
is to bring coordination, clarity, and long term vision to
the industry's disease preparedness and health management efforts. Dusty Odokovin, DVM,
chief Veterinarian for the National Pork Board, says, the process
started with feedback loops.
Speaker 4 (29:06):
That has led to the development of a survey that
we conducted over the summer months. So from June to August,
we gathered survey responses from producers and other stakeholders in
the industry. We also conducted over forty seven listening sessions,
really trying to get an understanding from producers just a
couple of things, What is their major sline health challenge
(29:26):
that they see and how can we address those challenges
in the coming years.
Speaker 1 (29:30):
After compiling all these survey data, the Advisory Group identified
two key goals that will be shared throughout the winter.
Speaker 4 (29:37):
And so between now and then, we have several opportunities
to meet with our state pork associations, and many of
those state associations have meetings throughout the winter months. We're
also going to take an opportunity to share what we've
learned with the executive directors of the state pork associations
and gather their feedback and just make sure that they
understand what we've heard from producers and from this advisory group.
Speaker 1 (29:59):
One goal center on preventing the introduction of disease not
currently present in the US, as their detection would have
serious trade limiting consequences.
Speaker 4 (30:08):
We're typically talking about three diseases. One that we're familiar
with because we've been talking about it for years, and
that's African swine fever virus, Another is classical swine fever virus,
really two different viruses, and then foot mouth disease. So
we'll continue our efforts to prevent the introduction of those
pathogens and to help our producers be prepared if we
are to get an incursion of those The second priority
(30:29):
under that first goal is to keep an eye out
for emerging diseases. And emerging diseases are those that may
not necessarily bring along the trade limiting impact which may
be concerning for the industry.
Speaker 1 (30:40):
Another important goal to the National Swineheld Strategy identified by producers,
centered on managing endemic diseases.
Speaker 4 (30:48):
We've got diseases like PERS ped virus and others which
have a major economic impact every day on the farms
here in the United States, and so it's not surprising,
you know that one of the biggest response is when
we ask producers, what's your number one health concern, it's
pers you know, And that was overwhelmingly the big response
that we got to the second goal of help limit
the losses and help dress these endemic diseases that we have.
(31:10):
The priorities were bold. One priority is to identify and
limit the spread of endemic diseases among the uswineherd.
Speaker 1 (31:18):
The Nationalistwine Held Strategy aims to align the industry, ultimately
creating a healthier US hog herd farm news This morning,
you're listening to WAG Life.
Speaker 23 (31:30):
From the Egg Information Network. I'm Bob Larson with your
agribusiness update. Well, the Oregon Wine Board has announced its
new slate of board officers and the governor's appointment of
two new board directors to the twenty twenty six Oregon
Wine Board of directors beginning their tenure next month. Morningeclips
dot com reports Tiquette Brahm, led founder of Henderson abb
and co founder of Our Legacy Harvested, we'll take over
(31:52):
his board chair, and Christina Gonzalez, founder and winemaker of
Gonzales Wine Company, will be the new vice chair. E
Any News reporter Gracie Cavorro says that House Republicans are
planning to revive farm bill negotiations in January after failing
to garner enough political will to pass a new deal
by the end of the year. Yarrow reported, House agg
Chair Gt. Thompson said he wants to get a mark
(32:13):
up on the calendar ahead of the January thirtieth funding deadline,
though he acknowledged it may be too complicated to attach
the farm bill to new spending legislation, and the USDA
has not planned to issue additional emergency farm made beyond
the recently announced twelve billion dollar assistance package, according to
Under Secretary for Farm Production and Conservation Richard Fordyce. But
(32:34):
economists and farm advocates warn many operations may continue to
struggle without further support or stronger export growth. The shift
of rising imports and slowing exports have pushed the sector
into a widening trade deficit, weighing heavily on farm income.
Speaker 18 (32:49):
For the last forty years, the AG 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 AG Information Network,
reaching coast to coast, deep roots and farming. In decades
(33:12):
of reporting, the AG Information Network trusted and transparent journalism
for generations. For over forty years, the AGG Information Network
has been providing news and information for the most important
industry in the world, agriculture. The AGG Information Network gives
you worldwide updates from local producers to regional organizations, from
major crops like wheat and corn, to animal agriculture to
(33:35):
specially crops like apples, almonds, and cherries. We report on
stories that mean the most to you online at aginfo
dot net. The AG Information Network trusted and transparent journalism
lasting for the next generation.
Speaker 23 (33:47):
From the EGG Information Network, I'm Bob Larson with today's
Agribusiness Update.
Speaker 1 (33:51):
Bob went back to wrap up aglife for today friends,
there's a good story about the sustainability of the US
dairy industry. As Chad Smith wraps us up.
Speaker 19 (33:58):
The Innovation Cetter for US Dairy just release the twenty
twenty three twenty twenty four Dairy Sustainability Report, and it
tells a good story about the US dairy industry. Emily Bishop,
Senior Vice president of Social Responsibility for the Innovation Center, said,
the report proves that dairy farmers care about food production
(34:19):
and the environment.
Speaker 24 (34:20):
This report matters because it tells dairy's story with facts, data,
and credibility, especially at a time when expectations around food
health and how food is produced continue to rise. We're
seeing from nutrition and wellness to environmental stewardship and animal care,
stakeholders are asking more questions than ever and if dairy
doesn't tell its own story, someone else will, and they
(34:41):
may not always get it right. So this report celebrates
farmers many decades of commitment to caring for their land, cows,
and communities, and so these proof points matter. They help
protect dairy social license and position US dairy for both
at home and globally.
Speaker 19 (34:56):
Lollie Lesher, a dairy farmer from Pennsylvania, offered her our
initial reaction to the report.
Speaker 25 (35:02):
It's wonderful. So it shows to our consumers that the
dairy industry specifically is moving forward and making big changes
step by step on each and every farm to do
a better job. It's a constant improvement. It's a reflection
of our desire to take really good care of our cows,
our kids, our water, our land, and our community. I
think it's a good job. And keep doing a good job.
(35:22):
You're doing great and it's being noticed. People are taking
mention of the things that we're doing as improvements, and
they should feel proud of what they're doing and to
continue to work on those areas that maybe they have
some more growth opportunity, but they've done a great job
and we should continue and praise them.
Speaker 19 (35:36):
Bishop talked about a couple of key takeaways from this report.
Speaker 24 (35:40):
The key takeaway here is we have data proving farmers
are producing more milk with fewer resources per gallon. So,
just to give you an example, since two thousand and seven,
farmers reduce greenhouse gas emissions per unit of milk by
nearly fifteen percent while increasing milk production by over thirty percent.
The report also demonstrates how the US Dairy Can Unity
(36:00):
is nourishing people and combating food and security in the nation.
More than one and a half billion servings of dairy
were delivered to families in need just in the past
here through Feeding America. Together, these proof points really demonstrate
an industry making measurable progress, responsibly, transparently, and with farmers
really leading the way.
Speaker 19 (36:19):
Dairy farmers should be proud of how far the industry
has advanced its sustainability.
Speaker 24 (36:24):
We are honored to share dairy farmer's story and nourishing
more people than ever while doing so responsibly and sustainably.
This report exists to make sure that progress is documented, understood,
and recognized. This way, the investments farmers are making today
continue to earn trust in the marketplace, shape future expectations,
(36:44):
and really strengthen dairy's position for the long term.
Speaker 19 (36:47):
Again, that's Family Bishop of the Innovation Center for US
Dairy Chad Smith reporting
Speaker 1 (36:53):
With that friends, aro ount of time for today, Thanks
for joining us back tomorrow morning with another edition of
Bag Life
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