Episode Transcript
Available transcripts are automatically generated. Complete accuracy is not guaranteed.
Speaker 1 (00:00):
Good morning, Central Coast and Valley farmers. This is aglife.
My name is Bob Quinn, with you for the next
hour talking about agriculture production here on the West Coast
and all across the country. Well, friends, we start off
with a story on recycling that Christmas tree rod main
our reporter.
Speaker 2 (00:16):
Christmas is over, and when it comes to your real
Christmas tree, well, when it comes down and ends its
display depends on who owns it. Perhaps you already took
your tree down the day after Christmas. Maybe you wait
until well past the conclusion of the holiday season. Keep
in mind there are a lot of real Christmas trees
(00:37):
to dispose of.
Speaker 3 (00:38):
The recent estimates say that there's about twenty five to
thirty million real Christmas trees old in the US each year.
Speaker 2 (00:44):
Yet, as Robin Butterbaugh of South Dakota State University Extension notes,
just taking it to the local landfill is perhaps not
the best solution. If that tree could somehow be recycled
or upcycled her community and many others across the Countrymas.
Speaker 3 (01:00):
Tree pick up after Christmas, so you can put your
Christmas tree on the side of the road and it
gets picked up by the waste management company and then composted.
Speaker 2 (01:08):
She recognizes that is not an option in subcommunities, so
if that is the case, you.
Speaker 3 (01:13):
Could still chip the tree and use it for mulch
If you.
Speaker 2 (01:16):
Have a chipper mulch that can be spread on your
flower beds and around trees and shrubs, or shared with
gardening and landscaping neighbors. There is also recycling of the
Christmas tree from an artistic aspect.
Speaker 3 (01:29):
Remove some of the branches and make wreaths or outdoor before.
Speaker 2 (01:31):
For example, redecorate your Christmas tree as an outdoor bird feeder,
stringing various goodies for birds to enjoy. Speaking of wildlife.
Speaker 3 (01:40):
Just use it as wildlife habitat. Some people even will
put their Christmas trees into a pond and let them sink,
and that provides good habitat for fish and things. Although
you probably can't do that if it's already frozen over
in the winter. Might have to wait till the next.
Speaker 2 (01:52):
Year, or prop your evergreen Christmas tree against a bird
feeder or outdoor fits to serve as shelter for birds
from the cold winter conditions. There are also indoor uses
for recycled parts of the Christmas tree, so fabric scraps
into pouches filled with Christmas tree needles to serve as
sets of chats for closets and dresser drawers. And yes,
(02:14):
there is the old staydby if you have an indoor
fireplace or outdoor fire pit. Although maybe save the wood
from this year's Christmas tree for next year. Saw the
truck into several pieces, buddle them together and keep them
in a dry part of your home like a seller
(02:34):
or basement, waiting until Christmas to use them as Yule
logs in the fireplace. I'm broad Bay in reporting for
the US Department of Agriculture in Washington, d C.
Speaker 1 (02:45):
Well, friends will look at West Coast snowpack. That's ahead
on Aglife, Bob Quinn. Here are some farmer use today
friends well. Along several western mountain ranges, snowpack water equivalency
is reported at near or below normal levels as the
accumulation season approaches its halfway point. Rod Bain brings us
up to date.
Speaker 2 (03:06):
Even with headlines of extensive precipitation and several parts of
the West this winter.
Speaker 4 (03:10):
We have been contending with unusually warm weather that has
limited high elevation snow accumulations.
Speaker 2 (03:16):
Added sub rages contributing to nearer to below normal mountain
snowpack so far this season. USDA meorologist Brad Repey says
if this trend continues through the remainder of winter, sub
western reservoirs and interred agg irrigators and municipalities may face
water supply issues this spring and summer. Now there are
sub areas currently with nearer to above normal high elevation snowpack, including.
Speaker 4 (03:39):
The Northern Rockies far enough north that the warmth hasn't
really eaten into those snow accumulations. The only other area
of the West that is doing reasonably well in terms
of snowpack accumulations to this point in the season is
this year in Nevada.
Speaker 2 (03:52):
That coming after a January rebound in snow accumulation after
a slow start to the mountain snowpack season. A broad
Bain report for the US Department of Agriculture in Washington,
d C Well friends.
Speaker 1 (04:04):
Lately, it appears Congress has been recognizing the many challenges
farmers and ranchers are facing, like the recent changes made
to the way the adverse effect wage rate is calculated,
which should help cut the cost of labor. But Washington
State Representative Dan Neuhause, a farmer himself, says that didn't
just happen by chance.
Speaker 5 (04:23):
I want to make sure I say this as often
as I can to encourage more of it. Growers around
the country have been reaching out their members of Congress
to let them.
Speaker 6 (04:31):
Know that this is still a very big part.
Speaker 5 (04:35):
Of the reason that farmers are having a hard time
finding profitable situations on their farms.
Speaker 6 (04:42):
High cost of.
Speaker 5 (04:42):
Labor or the availability of labor to begin with.
Speaker 7 (04:46):
That's a huge issue.
Speaker 1 (04:47):
And that comes with a lot of influence from knowledgeable
folks within.
Speaker 5 (04:51):
We have been making some progress too, as I think
we've talked about before. Chairman of the Agriculture Committee, G. T.
Thompson has been very good about putting together ideas from
different members of Congress on what we should be doing
in legislation.
Speaker 1 (05:05):
So new House's message to farmers is to please keep
it up.
Speaker 5 (05:09):
Thank you to all the producers out there that have
been taking the time to reach out and continue doing so.
We have to keep raising the level of urgency here
in Washington, DC on this issue.
Speaker 1 (05:19):
US Representative Dan Neuhause with us in twenty twenty four,
honeybee colonies in the US experienced significant losses, with an
estimated fifty five percent of managed colonies reported loss from
April of twenty four through April of twenty five, making
the highest loss rate since tracking begad back in twenty ten.
(05:39):
The Honeybee Health Coalition has since crafted what it calls
the North American Bee Strategy toward improving pollinator health. Mike
Davis has our story.
Speaker 8 (05:49):
Matt Malika, head of the coalition, says they brought together
the leading beekeeper organizations in the US and Canada.
Speaker 9 (05:57):
The groups that came together were the American Beekeeping Federation
and the American Honey Producers Association, the Canadian Beekeeping Federation
and the Canadian Honey Council, and so really the biggest
beekeeping associations in North America. This is what we need
and this is how we think we can collectively come
together to improve the health of bees.
Speaker 8 (06:19):
Malika says the biggest threat to be helped is the veroamite.
Speaker 9 (06:23):
The veroamite was introduced in the late eighties from Asia
and it's been devastating for beekeepers and they're always trying
to keep up with it. These mtes have disease, and
those diseases are really what effect and ultimately kill these
hives that are not as strong because of impacts from
(06:44):
poor nutrition and pesticides.
Speaker 8 (06:46):
Among other things. The strategy calls for more research and
international cooperation.
Speaker 9 (06:52):
There's a need for more science collaboration, more tools in
the toolbox of beekeepers too, strete various systems and processes
to have the US and Canadian governments work together in areas.
You know, certain things beekeepers can do, other things they
really can't.
Speaker 8 (07:10):
You can find more information about the North American B
strategy at Honeybee Helped Coalition dot org. I'm Mike Davis
Farm News this morning, you're listening to AAG life.
Speaker 10 (07:21):
It's another agnews update, Trade uncertain the strong ethanol demand
and cautious farm spending after this.
Speaker 11 (07:31):
If this were just any door, and this were just
any ignition connected to just any transmission and just any vehicle,
then perhaps it would be okay to buy it from
just anyone. But this is not just any car. It's
a certified pre own Mercedes Benz. Every detail has been
inspected and road tested by highly skilled Mercedes Benz technicians,
(07:52):
and it's all backed by an unlimited mileage warranty for
up to five years, which makes the decision of where
to buy one simple if you authorized Mercedes Benz dealers.
Speaker 10 (08:00):
Farmer's sentiment edged lower in December as trade uncertainty, especially
around soybean's, weigh on longer term outlooks, not even while
current conditions and farm land values remained stable. Purdue University's
Ag Economy Barometer shows producers increasingly concerned about Brazil's competitiveness
(08:23):
in global soybean markets and reinforces trade is a key
risk entering this year. At the same time, ethanol demand
delivered a bright spot for corn, with a national blend
rate topping eleven percent for the first time as E
fifteen and flex fuel use expanded, its strengthening domestic demand signals. Now,
(08:45):
grain movement remained uneven, rail volume stained strong above average.
It's helping offsets sharp slowdowns in barge and ocean traffic
tied to winter conditions and softer export timing. On the
balance sheet side, farmer bridge assistance payments largely being used
to reduce debt and rebuild working capital, not fueling new spending.
(09:10):
It reflects a defensive financial posture. It's another agnews update.
Speaker 12 (09:17):
You're going to need meat, You're going to need us,
all of us.
Speaker 7 (09:21):
You're going to need our help with your water, your air,
your food. You're going to need our determination, our compassion.
Speaker 3 (09:29):
You're going to need the next generation of leaders to
face the challenges the future will bring.
Speaker 7 (09:34):
And we promise we'll be there when you need us.
Speaker 13 (09:38):
Today.
Speaker 12 (09:38):
Four h is growing the next generation of leaders. Support
us at fourage dot.
Speaker 10 (09:44):
Org American Cattle News. Where would we be without beef
on dairy crosses for feeding more after this.
Speaker 11 (09:55):
If this were just any door, and this were just
any ignition connected to just any transmission in just any vehicle,
then perhaps it would be okay to buy it from
just anyone. But this is not just any car. It's
a certified pre own Mercedes Benz. Every detail has been
inspected and road tested by highly skilled Mercedes Benz technicians,
(10:16):
and it's all backed by an unlimited mileage warranty for
up to five years, which makes the decision of where
to buy one simple. If you authorized Mercedes Benz dealer.
Speaker 10 (10:24):
With the Mexican border closed to feeder cattle, it's put
pressure on the US feeding industry. Corey Geiger is with Kobe.
Speaker 14 (10:34):
There's a lot of big parts here, and you're absolutely
right It depends on the estimate, but we're talking five
to seven percent of the animals that are no longer
crossing the border from Mexico the United States for the
New World screwworm has set unbalanced in the feed lots today.
I was just at the Cattle Fas meeting a couple
of weeks ago out in Denver, and it's estimated that
(10:56):
one out of four twenty five percent of animals and
feed lots right now are to these beef on dairy crossses,
again from a dairy cow, but a beef sire. And
this is unique in the dairy industry. About ninety percent
of the dairy cows are bread at AI artificial inseminations,
So we can dairy farms can move quickly on this.
(11:18):
Just five years ago, beef kul cow sales and calf
sales were about a dollar per hundredweight, equivalent to a
dairy farmer five to eight percent of farm income. Now
it's pushing four to four fifty and we're talking twenty
to twenty five percent of farm income. When you four
to four to fifty per hundredweight and twenty to twenty
(11:39):
five percent of farm income, and that's a big deal.
And that's why some dairy cows are being retained, because
these calves are so valuable. They're bringing twelve to fifteen
hundred at birth. And it's all being driven by beef
demand from consumers, beef demand and feed lots, beef demand
for processing. And this runs got at least another two
(11:59):
to three years of it in my estimation twenty.
Speaker 10 (12:01):
In ten years, bief On Dairy has grown from fifty
thousand to five point two million American cattle. News.
Speaker 12 (12:10):
This is Tim Hammrich of the Egg Information Network with
your Farm of the Future report. Yesterday we reported on
why the winter time could actually be a great time
to build mineral associated organic matter which can help to
capture and store nitrogen. But how exactly does this work.
Advancing Eco Agriculture founder John Kemp says there are a
(12:31):
few factors that are key to fixing nitrogen to be
available for next season's crop.
Speaker 7 (12:37):
When you have the combination of microbes which have the
capacity for nitrogen fixation, combined with a strong biostimulant, combined
with some degree of crop residue or available soil carbon,
combined with cold temperatures, not warm temperatures in most agricultural
(12:57):
soils you can quite readily fix six to eighty units
of nitrogen from fall to spring. In some soils you
can do more. In some soils you can't do that
much because they don't have enough carbon. So it is
there is a degree of context dependency here, as there
is with all biological products. So I think that's somewhere
we're really missing the window of opportunity in many conventional
igonomic from managed soils. Instead of putting on biological in
(13:20):
outcuts in the fall, we're putting on anhydrosimmonia in the fall,
which is the exact opposite effect.
Speaker 12 (13:24):
Advancing ecoag offers soil primer products like rejuvenate and revenant
charge that help to awaken existing biology.
Speaker 15 (13:32):
You've probably been told that to reach a millennial farmer
you have to go digital hmmm, Facebook, Vimeo, YouTube, Instagram, Pinterest,
LinkedIn and online publication or maybe a podcast hmm, but
which one? Oh, and how receptive is this age group
to your sales pitch during non work social time. Maybe
(13:52):
the best place to reach a farmer with a farming
solution message is when they are well, quite frankly farming.
You know, it's easy for us to find them during
the day as most farmers are behind the wheel of
a pickup truck or farm equipment with the radio on,
listening to this station for the ag Information Network of
the West News. If you'd like to deliver information about
(14:15):
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 12 (14:30):
This is Tim Hammrich with the form of the future
report brought to you by the agg Information Network.
Speaker 16 (14:37):
Welcome to the line on Agriculture Report. This is Lori
Boyer for the ag Information Network Illinois Soypeen Association oureach Agronomus.
Stephanie Porter says that according to her on farm trials,
sulfur deficiencies are becoming more widespread across the state and
potentially in other states. She explains what researchers have learned
and what it could mean for future nutrient management decisions.
Speaker 17 (14:57):
We're not saying that necessarily where you are in the state.
I think it depends on a lot of different things,
and some is organic matter, some is temperature. At planting,
and then overall, just how much sulfur do you have
in your soil, because some have some have been adding
sulfur with other products as well as to corn, and
(15:20):
so that also influences whether or not you have you know,
sulfur available.
Speaker 16 (15:24):
Porter states that she has found that fields with higher
organic matters seem to have higher sulfur levels are also.
Speaker 17 (15:30):
Seeing a lot of possible responses, not a lot, a
few responses in fields that have high organic matter, so
think no tail or cover crops.
Speaker 3 (15:41):
Porters.
Speaker 16 (15:42):
Research will continue when it comes to sulfur and farming.
When it comes to sulfur and farming, Porter says that
the research will continue, especially in high organic matter fields,
especially in larger high organic tracks. With today's line on
Agriculture report, I'm Lori Boyer for the agg Information Network.
Speaker 15 (15:58):
You've probably been told that 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 18 (16:13):
Oh?
Speaker 15 (16:13):
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
(16:35):
station for the AG Information Network of the West 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 16 (16:57):
For the AG Information Network.
Speaker 19 (16:59):
I'm Lori Boyer.
Speaker 13 (17:00):
Cash Creek Foods has a whole team to help farmers
innovate and make new products in the atman industry. I'm
Patrick Cavanaugh with the California Trina Report, part of that
vast AG Information network. Christy Myers heads up business development
with Cash Creek Foods.
Speaker 20 (17:17):
We believe the innovation and we've seen it practically. It
really requires a whole team approach. So quality has to
be bought in. We have to have a processing center
for it and know that we're going to be able
to make it efficiently, and then we have to be
willing to take the risk that it's going to require
time to test and launch products that hopefully will make it,
(17:37):
because really great brands are launching them, but maybe some
of them won't.
Speaker 13 (17:41):
Meyer said, Cash Creek Foods is firmly focused on farmers.
Speaker 20 (17:45):
And then also we want to stay rooted in our
desire to help farmers add value to their crops directly.
So we do all we can to work with growers
who want to create a snack brand or a jarred
butter or whatever products they want to make. So our
motto is always innovating is how our customers win, and
it's how we're going to win to and of course
(18:05):
it has to taste good. So we also have a
snack line and we have like maple covered almonds and
butter toffee almonds and things like that we serve as
as a manufacturer.
Speaker 13 (18:16):
Again, that's Christy Myers who heads up business development with
Cash Creek Foods, which enhances other amend products.
Speaker 15 (18:23):
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? Oh,
and how receptive. Is this age group to your sales
pitch during non work social time. Maybe the best place
(18:45):
to reach a farmer with a farming solution message is
when they are well, quite frankly farming. You know, it's
easy for us to find them during the day, as
most farmers are behind the wheel of a pickup truck
or farm equipment with the radio on, listening to this
station for the AG Information Network of the West News.
If you'd like to deliver information about your terrific product
(19:07):
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 21 (19:22):
With the AG Information Network. I'm Patrick Cavanaugh, Welcome to
AG Life. I'm Dwayne Murley with your farm News.
Speaker 2 (19:29):
The treads of atmospheric rivers at Pacific coast states seem
to be widely down yet, as USDA be rologist Brad
Rippey says, before that occurs.
Speaker 4 (19:38):
This week, we are seeing two more rounds of storminess.
The first one will be in the Northwest that's underway now.
I'm actually seeing some pre significant precipitation in the Cascades
and the northern Rockies. Before this is all done, we
could see another two to six inches of liquid that'll
be snow at the higher elevations, some light rain as
you move into the valleys, and then later in the
week we'll get a quick burst of precipitation in the
(19:58):
Southwest that's actually highly beneficial. That's one area that is
sorely lacking in snowpack. Unfortunately, this will be another mild system,
so snowpack will be limited by those higher temperatures.
Speaker 2 (20:08):
What Rippy calls radio silos for several days from a
precipitation perspective out west after the last storm system departs
the area by this weekend, potential rains and snows. Meanwhile,
we'll move towards the central at eastern US later this week.
Speaker 4 (20:23):
Pattern that may last for a couple of weeks, it
looks like, and that will put us in a break
from this extremely active weather. That does bring its own
set of concerns as we go quiet again in the West,
that those areas lacking in snowpack, like Oregon, the Northern
Great Base in western Utah, and the four corner states
are going to fall further behind on that for areas
like the Sierra Nevada and the northern Rockies where snowpack
(20:44):
is adequate to abundant, and that's not a problem if
we go quiet for a week or two, but we
will have to keep an eye on this changing Western
weather pattern. Storminess is going to shift eastward, at least temporarily,
and we're looking at a couple of weather systems that
will track generally through the central and southern Rockies, central
and southern Great Plains, and eventually move out of the
US into Great Lakes region. They will be back to
(21:05):
back systems mid to late week period. The first of
those two systems will be a fairly warm, wet system,
so we're looking at rainfall in parts of the South,
the East, and even into the Midwest with that system.
Not a whole lot of snow initially with that, maybe
just some really wet snow far north and west of
the low pressure system as it tracks across the Midwest.
The second system will be a little bit more moisture starved,
(21:28):
but it will have a little bit more cold air
to work with, so it'll be a more efficient snow maker,
just not a whole lot of moistures, so the snow
totals will be modest. Nevertheless, we will see some snow
beneficial in the central and southern Rockies, might get a
quick burst of snow on parts of the central and
southern Great Plains, then eventually a stripe of snow likely
across the Midwest into the Great Lake States. The moisture,
especially in drought affected areas, will be welcomed with this system.
(21:51):
Taking a look ahead, this is the National Weather Service
eight to fourteen day outlook, covering the time period January
thirteenth through the nineteenth. At mid January period, it actually
looks pretty quiet much of the country, expecting near or
above normal temperatures along with near or below normal precipitation.
Any lingering cold weather likely to be across the eastern
(22:11):
half of the country probably a little bit more likely
as you move north toward the Canadian border, and in
terms of precipitation, really a pretty weak storm pattern across
the country. As we move through mid January. There is
maybe some opportunities for some snow across the north, especially
in the north central United States. There may be some
storming is grazing the southern tier of the country, say
from the Rio Grande eastward along portions of the western
(22:34):
Gulf Coast, but all in all pretty quiet and no
real extremes as we move into mid January.
Speaker 2 (22:40):
Rod Bain reporting for the US Department of Agriculture in Washington,
d C.
Speaker 21 (22:46):
Julie Callahan is the new US Trade representative, is chief
agg negotiator, and China's new beef care off comes, so
she's settling into her job with a pledge to open
that market to beef and other US farm commodities.
Speaker 18 (23:00):
China across the board has been weaponizing agriculture.
Speaker 21 (23:05):
China's Commerce ministry in sins It's just announced fifty five
percent above quota beef imports tariff is a quote safeguard
measure to protect its domestic industry. Either way, it's a
new challenge for Callahan.
Speaker 18 (23:20):
If confirmed, I am committed to reopening China's market to
US beef.
Speaker 21 (23:26):
Beef is part of a list of restricted farm products.
Speaker 18 (23:30):
Sorghum, beef, a number of commodities, cotton.
Speaker 21 (23:34):
Across the board, China imported just one hundred and thirty
eight thousand tons of beef from the US and twenty
twenty four, compared with over one point three million tons
from Brazil. US volume dropped to just over fifty five
thousand tons through last November after Beijing allowed permits to
expire at hundreds of US meat plants amid China's tariff
(23:56):
war with the US. China's new tariff took effect on
January first for three years, with a total two point
seven million ton quota said to increase annually. Thanks for
being with us. You're listening to AGG Live. I'm Dwayne Merley.
Speaker 19 (24:13):
It's time for California AG Today on the AG Information Network.
I am Haley ship Well. Every day we make careful
choices about our health. We read labels in grocery stores,
scan ingredient lists, and avoid things that we don't recognize
because we know that what we put into our body's matters.
But one of the most important labels might not be
(24:34):
in your pantry. It may be in your closet. The
tags on our shirts are children's pajamas, and the sheets
we sleep on tell us what touches our skin every day.
Many people don't realize that there is a choice being
made in the clothing aisle between materials that come from
plants and materials that come from plastic. That choice is
(24:55):
the focus of a new public awareness effort from the
US cotton industry called the Plant Not Plastic Campaign Stacy Gorman,
director of Communications for the Cotton Board.
Speaker 22 (25:06):
Instead of treating microplastics as an abstract environmental problem, this
campaign directly links synthetic clothing to microplastics found in the lungs,
the bloodstream, even the brain, and the core message is
what you wear matters.
Speaker 19 (25:22):
The Plant Not Plastic Campaign is designed to empower consumers
with clearer information and more natural choices. You can learn
more at Plant Not Plastic dot org.
Speaker 15 (25:34):
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
(25:55):
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.
(26:18):
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 19 (26:32):
With California AGG Today on the AG Information Network, I
am Haley's ship.
Speaker 1 (26:37):
Bob quit here with some farmer use Today friends. While
along several Western mountain ranges, snowpack water equivalency is reported
at near or below normal levels. As the water accumulation
season approaches its halfway point, Rod Bain brings us up
to date.
Speaker 2 (26:53):
Even with headlines of extensive precipitation at several parts of
the West this winter.
Speaker 4 (26:57):
We have been contending with unusually warm weather that has
limited high elevation snow accumulations.
Speaker 2 (27:03):
And in sub ranges, contributing to near to below normal
mountain snowpack so far this season. USDA merologist Brad Rippy says,
if this trend continues through the remainder of winter, Subwestern
reservoirs and entered AGG irrigators and municipalities may face water
supply issues this spring and summer. Now, there are sub
areas currently with nearer to above normal high elevation snowpack, including.
Speaker 4 (27:26):
The Northern Rockies far enough north that the warmth hasn't
really eaten into those snow accumulations. The only other area
of the West that is doing reasonably well in terms
of snowpack accumulations to this point in the season is
this year in Nevada.
Speaker 2 (27:39):
That coming after a January rebound in snow accumulation after
a slow start to the mountain snowpack season. A broad
Day reporting for the US Department of Agriculture in Washington,
d c.
Speaker 1 (27:51):
Well Friends, the December Purdue University CME Group agg Economy
Barometer showed a weakening in farmer sentiment. Michael Langmyre, the
director of the Purdue University Center for Commercial Agriculture, talked
about the newest index.
Speaker 23 (28:05):
The index decline from one thirty nine in November to
one thirty six in December, but the one thirty six
is still stronger than what it was in August, September,
in October, and essentially what happened here is we had
a slight weakness in the index of future expectations. The
index of current conditions actually remained the same as it
was the month before, and so a very small change.
Another thing that I want to point out is the
(28:26):
financial performance index since that ninety four, which is quite
a bit higher than what it was July, August and September.
And essentially what that ninety four means is if they
look at their financial performance this year compared to next year,
they think next year is going to be about the same.
Speaker 1 (28:40):
It seems as though the index held study between November
and December.
Speaker 23 (28:44):
Yes, I think that's a very good way to put it.
One of the things that we did look at is
in terms of the crop sector, in the livestock sector,
and one of the things that we've noticed the last
couple of months is there's fewer livestock producers saying this
is a good time. And I think that reflects some
of the weakness we saw ins for a while in
November December, and so be curious to see what happens
to that as we turn into a new year.
Speaker 1 (29:06):
Despite the slight decline of the overall index, the barometer
asked farmers their feelings about future exports.
Speaker 23 (29:12):
We added that specifically because we were very interested in
what their perspective was of this new agreement with China.
But also this is an important season for Brazilian soybeans.
It's just get an idea of relative competitiveness. And so
when we ask a question that's more generic and say
do you expect exports in general the increase remain the
same or decrease, only five percent said decreased, and that
was a very low number. So overall, if you talk
(29:35):
to everybody of all commodities, they're pretty confident that we're
going to see some increases in exports or they're going
to remain the same.
Speaker 1 (29:41):
There was even optimism around soybean exports. Michael Langmeier, Perdue
University this morning. In twenty twenty four, honeybee colonies in
the US experienced significant losses, with an estimated fifty five
percent of managed conlonies reported lost from April to twenty
four through April of twenty five, making the highest loss
(30:03):
rate since tracking began back in twenty ten. The Honeybee
Health Coalition has since crafted what it calls the North
American Bee Strategy toward improving pollinator health. Mike Davis has our.
Speaker 8 (30:15):
Story Matt Malika, head of the coalition, says they brought
together the leading beekeeper organizations in the US and Canada.
Speaker 9 (30:24):
The groups that came together were the American Beekeeping Federation,
the American Honey Producers Association, the Canadian Beekeeping Federation, and
the Canadian Honey Council, and so really the biggest beekeeping
associations in North America. This is what we need and
this is how we think we can collectively come together
to improve the health of bees.
Speaker 8 (30:45):
Malica says the biggest threat to be health is the veroamite.
Speaker 9 (30:50):
The verroamite was introduced in the late eighties from Asia
and it's been devastating for beekeepers and they're always trying
to keep up with it. These mights have disease, and
those diseases are really what effect and of ultimately kill
these hives that are not as strong because of impacts
(31:11):
from poor nutrition and pesticites.
Speaker 8 (31:13):
Among other things. The strategy calls for more research and
international cooperation.
Speaker 9 (31:19):
There's a need for more science collaboration, more tools in
the toolbox of beekeepers to streamline various systems and processes.
To have the US and Canadian governments work together in areas.
You know certain things beekeepers can do, other things they
really can't.
Speaker 8 (31:37):
You can find more information about the North American be
strategy at Honeybee helped Coalition dot Org. I'm Mike Davis,
Farm me US.
Speaker 1 (31:46):
This morning. You're listening to WAG Life.
Speaker 24 (31:49):
From the Egg information that work on Bob Larson with
your agribusiness update.
Speaker 2 (31:54):
Well.
Speaker 24 (31:54):
The US announced a new slate of research priorities for
twenty twenty six, focusing on farm profitability, climate resilians, and
food system innovation. Official say upcoming competitive grants will emphasize
soil health, water efficiency, pests and disease control, and technologies
that help producers adapt to extreme weather. The priorities also
include improving nutrition, food safety, and rural economic development. Research
(32:16):
investments are intended to deliver practical, science based solutions producers
can use on the ground. Efforts by China to reduce
its resilience on imported soybeans are raising questions about the
long term outlook for US soybean exports. Atalyst Sai, China,
the world's largest soybean buyer, has been encouraging lower soybean
meal use in livestock feed and expanding domestic oil seed production,
(32:37):
while imports remain high, and a sustained reduction could have
ripple effects on global markets. US farmers rely heavily on
export demand, with China getting a significant share of the shipments,
and beef prices are expected to continue climbing in the
coming year as tight cattle supplies here and abroad strain
the global market. US cattle inventories remain near multi decade
lows with shrinking herds. At the same time, Brazil, the
(32:59):
world's largest beef egg is seeing reduced exportable supplies due
to herd cycles and strong domestic demand. The combination is
limiting available beef at a time when consumer demand has
remained relatively steady.
Speaker 15 (33:10):
For over forty years, the AG Information Network has been
providing news and information for the most important industry in
the world, agriculture. The AG Information Network gives you worldwide
updates from local producers to regional organizations, from major crops
like wheat and corn, to animal agriculture to specially crops
like apples, almonds, and cherries. We report on stories that
(33:31):
mean the most to you online at aginfo dot net.
The AGG Information Network trusted in transparent journalism, lasting for
the next generation 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
(33:52):
for the ag Information Network of the West News. So
reach real farmers right here, right now as they listen
to what's important 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.
Speaker 24 (34:07):
Problem theagg Information Network on Bob Larson with your agribusiness update.
Speaker 1 (34:11):
Bob went back to wrap up AGLI for today. Friends. Well,
here's a new opportunity in FFA fundraising. Chad Smith as
the story on the Plant Powered Fundraiser Program.
Speaker 25 (34:22):
FFA chapters have a fresh opportunity to boost their spring
fundraisers thanks to a new partnership between seminist Vegetable Seeds
and ball Seed. The Plant Powered Fundraiser Program gives chapters
discounted access to professional grade vegetable seeds, helping students raise
funds while gaining hands on growing experience. Tyler ash Field
(34:42):
sales rep with Seminis, explains why this program matters.
Speaker 6 (34:46):
We created this program to make fundraising more impactful for
FFA chapters. By offering high quality vegetable seeds at a
special discount, we're helping students grow something great while supporting
their local communities.
Speaker 25 (34:58):
The program includes seeds for popular crops like tomatoes, peppers, cucumbers, broccoli, squash,
and even watermelons, all packed inconvenient one hundred seed sizes,
perfect for local plant sales. These are the same trusted
seminist varieties used by professional growers, giving chapters a strong
selling point for their fundraiser.
Speaker 6 (35:19):
When you grow Seminis, you're offering your community the same
varieties trusted by professional growers, better varieties with excellent yield potential,
and the trades commercial farmers rely on and people actually
want to eat. That leads to what hopefully are more
successful sales for your chapter.
Speaker 25 (35:33):
Beyond the discount, chapters will have access to growing tips
from Seminus's home garden team, plus branded flyers and marketing
materials to help promote their sales. Orders are placed through
ball Seed, a leader in horticultural distribution, ensuring chapters get
professional grade seed and reliable service.
Speaker 6 (35:52):
It's easy to get started. Chapters sign up through Ball's website,
a link which they can easily access through the program
landing page on the Seminis site. All you need is
a chapter number to sign up as a ball Seed
customer and receive the FFA discount. Once orders are placed,
more information will come in the spring to help make
their sales a success.
Speaker 25 (36:12):
The Plant Powered Fundraiser is open to all FFA chapters nationwide.
To learn more and get started, go to Vegetables dot
Bayer dot com and look for the Plant Powered Fundraiser program.
Seminis in its parent company, Bayer, believe in the mission
of FFA and in supporting today's youth as they develop
leadership skills and hands on agricultural experience. This program reflects
(36:36):
their commitment to investing in the future of farming and
helping chapters thrive again. Go to Vegetables dot Bayer dot
com to learn more. Again, Tyler ash with Seminus encouraging
FFA chapters to take advantage of this exciting program. Today,
Chad Smith reporting.
Speaker 1 (36:54):
With that friends, abount of time for today, thanks for
joining us. Back Monday morning with another edition A Bad
Life
Good morning, Central Coast and Valley farmers. This is aglife.
My name is Bob Quinn, with you for the next
hour talking about agriculture production here on the West Coast
and all across the country. Well, friends, we start off
with a story on recycling that Christmas tree rod main
our reporter.
Speaker 2 (00:16):
Christmas is over, and when it comes to your real
Christmas tree, well, when it comes down and ends its
display depends on who owns it. Perhaps you already took
your tree down the day after Christmas. Maybe you wait
until well past the conclusion of the holiday season. Keep
in mind there are a lot of real Christmas trees
(00:37):
to dispose of.
Speaker 3 (00:38):
The recent estimates say that there's about twenty five to
thirty million real Christmas trees old in the US each year.
Speaker 2 (00:44):
Yet, as Robin Butterbaugh of South Dakota State University Extension notes,
just taking it to the local landfill is perhaps not
the best solution. If that tree could somehow be recycled
or upcycled her community and many others across the Countrymas.
Speaker 3 (01:00):
Tree pick up after Christmas, so you can put your
Christmas tree on the side of the road and it
gets picked up by the waste management company and then composted.
Speaker 2 (01:08):
She recognizes that is not an option in subcommunities, so
if that is the case, you.
Speaker 3 (01:13):
Could still chip the tree and use it for mulch
If you.
Speaker 2 (01:16):
Have a chipper mulch that can be spread on your
flower beds and around trees and shrubs, or shared with
gardening and landscaping neighbors. There is also recycling of the
Christmas tree from an artistic aspect.
Speaker 3 (01:29):
Remove some of the branches and make wreaths or outdoor before.
Speaker 2 (01:31):
For example, redecorate your Christmas tree as an outdoor bird feeder,
stringing various goodies for birds to enjoy. Speaking of wildlife.
Speaker 3 (01:40):
Just use it as wildlife habitat. Some people even will
put their Christmas trees into a pond and let them sink,
and that provides good habitat for fish and things. Although
you probably can't do that if it's already frozen over
in the winter. Might have to wait till the next.
Speaker 2 (01:52):
Year, or prop your evergreen Christmas tree against a bird
feeder or outdoor fits to serve as shelter for birds
from the cold winter conditions. There are also indoor uses
for recycled parts of the Christmas tree, so fabric scraps
into pouches filled with Christmas tree needles to serve as
sets of chats for closets and dresser drawers. And yes,
(02:14):
there is the old staydby if you have an indoor
fireplace or outdoor fire pit. Although maybe save the wood
from this year's Christmas tree for next year. Saw the
truck into several pieces, buddle them together and keep them
in a dry part of your home like a seller
(02:34):
or basement, waiting until Christmas to use them as Yule
logs in the fireplace. I'm broad Bay in reporting for
the US Department of Agriculture in Washington, d C.
Speaker 1 (02:45):
Well, friends will look at West Coast snowpack. That's ahead
on Aglife, Bob Quinn. Here are some farmer use today
friends well. Along several western mountain ranges, snowpack water equivalency
is reported at near or below normal levels as the
accumulation season approaches its halfway point. Rod Bain brings us
up to date.
Speaker 2 (03:06):
Even with headlines of extensive precipitation and several parts of
the West this winter.
Speaker 4 (03:10):
We have been contending with unusually warm weather that has
limited high elevation snow accumulations.
Speaker 2 (03:16):
Added sub rages contributing to nearer to below normal mountain
snowpack so far this season. USDA meorologist Brad Repey says
if this trend continues through the remainder of winter, sub
western reservoirs and interred agg irrigators and municipalities may face
water supply issues this spring and summer. Now there are
sub areas currently with nearer to above normal high elevation snowpack, including.
Speaker 4 (03:39):
The Northern Rockies far enough north that the warmth hasn't
really eaten into those snow accumulations. The only other area
of the West that is doing reasonably well in terms
of snowpack accumulations to this point in the season is
this year in Nevada.
Speaker 2 (03:52):
That coming after a January rebound in snow accumulation after
a slow start to the mountain snowpack season. A broad
Bain report for the US Department of Agriculture in Washington,
d C Well friends.
Speaker 1 (04:04):
Lately, it appears Congress has been recognizing the many challenges
farmers and ranchers are facing, like the recent changes made
to the way the adverse effect wage rate is calculated,
which should help cut the cost of labor. But Washington
State Representative Dan Neuhause, a farmer himself, says that didn't
just happen by chance.
Speaker 5 (04:23):
I want to make sure I say this as often
as I can to encourage more of it. Growers around
the country have been reaching out their members of Congress
to let them.
Speaker 6 (04:31):
Know that this is still a very big part.
Speaker 5 (04:35):
Of the reason that farmers are having a hard time
finding profitable situations on their farms.
Speaker 6 (04:42):
High cost of.
Speaker 5 (04:42):
Labor or the availability of labor to begin with.
Speaker 7 (04:46):
That's a huge issue.
Speaker 1 (04:47):
And that comes with a lot of influence from knowledgeable
folks within.
Speaker 5 (04:51):
We have been making some progress too, as I think
we've talked about before. Chairman of the Agriculture Committee, G. T.
Thompson has been very good about putting together ideas from
different members of Congress on what we should be doing
in legislation.
Speaker 1 (05:05):
So new House's message to farmers is to please keep
it up.
Speaker 5 (05:09):
Thank you to all the producers out there that have
been taking the time to reach out and continue doing so.
We have to keep raising the level of urgency here
in Washington, DC on this issue.
Speaker 1 (05:19):
US Representative Dan Neuhause with us in twenty twenty four,
honeybee colonies in the US experienced significant losses, with an
estimated fifty five percent of managed colonies reported loss from
April of twenty four through April of twenty five, making
the highest loss rate since tracking begad back in twenty ten.
(05:39):
The Honeybee Health Coalition has since crafted what it calls
the North American Bee Strategy toward improving pollinator health. Mike
Davis has our story.
Speaker 8 (05:49):
Matt Malika, head of the coalition, says they brought together
the leading beekeeper organizations in the US and Canada.
Speaker 9 (05:57):
The groups that came together were the American Beekeeping Federation
and the American Honey Producers Association, the Canadian Beekeeping Federation
and the Canadian Honey Council, and so really the biggest
beekeeping associations in North America. This is what we need
and this is how we think we can collectively come
together to improve the health of bees.
Speaker 8 (06:19):
Malika says the biggest threat to be helped is the veroamite.
Speaker 9 (06:23):
The veroamite was introduced in the late eighties from Asia
and it's been devastating for beekeepers and they're always trying
to keep up with it. These mtes have disease, and
those diseases are really what effect and ultimately kill these
hives that are not as strong because of impacts from
(06:44):
poor nutrition and pesticides.
Speaker 8 (06:46):
Among other things. The strategy calls for more research and
international cooperation.
Speaker 9 (06:52):
There's a need for more science collaboration, more tools in
the toolbox of beekeepers too, strete various systems and processes
to have the US and Canadian governments work together in areas.
You know, certain things beekeepers can do, other things they
really can't.
Speaker 8 (07:10):
You can find more information about the North American B
strategy at Honeybee Helped Coalition dot org. I'm Mike Davis
Farm News this morning, you're listening to AAG life.
Speaker 10 (07:21):
It's another agnews update, Trade uncertain the strong ethanol demand
and cautious farm spending after this.
Speaker 11 (07:31):
If this were just any door, and this were just
any ignition connected to just any transmission and just any vehicle,
then perhaps it would be okay to buy it from
just anyone. But this is not just any car. It's
a certified pre own Mercedes Benz. Every detail has been
inspected and road tested by highly skilled Mercedes Benz technicians,
(07:52):
and it's all backed by an unlimited mileage warranty for
up to five years, which makes the decision of where
to buy one simple if you authorized Mercedes Benz dealers.
Speaker 10 (08:00):
Farmer's sentiment edged lower in December as trade uncertainty, especially
around soybean's, weigh on longer term outlooks, not even while
current conditions and farm land values remained stable. Purdue University's
Ag Economy Barometer shows producers increasingly concerned about Brazil's competitiveness
(08:23):
in global soybean markets and reinforces trade is a key
risk entering this year. At the same time, ethanol demand
delivered a bright spot for corn, with a national blend
rate topping eleven percent for the first time as E
fifteen and flex fuel use expanded, its strengthening domestic demand signals. Now,
(08:45):
grain movement remained uneven, rail volume stained strong above average.
It's helping offsets sharp slowdowns in barge and ocean traffic
tied to winter conditions and softer export timing. On the
balance sheet side, farmer bridge assistance payments largely being used
to reduce debt and rebuild working capital, not fueling new spending.
(09:10):
It reflects a defensive financial posture. It's another agnews update.
Speaker 12 (09:17):
You're going to need meat, You're going to need us,
all of us.
Speaker 7 (09:21):
You're going to need our help with your water, your air,
your food. You're going to need our determination, our compassion.
Speaker 3 (09:29):
You're going to need the next generation of leaders to
face the challenges the future will bring.
Speaker 7 (09:34):
And we promise we'll be there when you need us.
Speaker 13 (09:38):
Today.
Speaker 12 (09:38):
Four h is growing the next generation of leaders. Support
us at fourage dot.
Speaker 10 (09:44):
Org American Cattle News. Where would we be without beef
on dairy crosses for feeding more after this.
Speaker 11 (09:55):
If this were just any door, and this were just
any ignition connected to just any transmission in just any vehicle,
then perhaps it would be okay to buy it from
just anyone. But this is not just any car. It's
a certified pre own Mercedes Benz. Every detail has been
inspected and road tested by highly skilled Mercedes Benz technicians,
(10:16):
and it's all backed by an unlimited mileage warranty for
up to five years, which makes the decision of where
to buy one simple. If you authorized Mercedes Benz dealer.
Speaker 10 (10:24):
With the Mexican border closed to feeder cattle, it's put
pressure on the US feeding industry. Corey Geiger is with Kobe.
Speaker 14 (10:34):
There's a lot of big parts here, and you're absolutely
right It depends on the estimate, but we're talking five
to seven percent of the animals that are no longer
crossing the border from Mexico the United States for the
New World screwworm has set unbalanced in the feed lots today.
I was just at the Cattle Fas meeting a couple
of weeks ago out in Denver, and it's estimated that
(10:56):
one out of four twenty five percent of animals and
feed lots right now are to these beef on dairy crossses,
again from a dairy cow, but a beef sire. And
this is unique in the dairy industry. About ninety percent
of the dairy cows are bread at AI artificial inseminations,
So we can dairy farms can move quickly on this.
(11:18):
Just five years ago, beef kul cow sales and calf
sales were about a dollar per hundredweight, equivalent to a
dairy farmer five to eight percent of farm income. Now
it's pushing four to four fifty and we're talking twenty
to twenty five percent of farm income. When you four
to four to fifty per hundredweight and twenty to twenty
(11:39):
five percent of farm income, and that's a big deal.
And that's why some dairy cows are being retained, because
these calves are so valuable. They're bringing twelve to fifteen
hundred at birth. And it's all being driven by beef
demand from consumers, beef demand and feed lots, beef demand
for processing. And this runs got at least another two
(11:59):
to three years of it in my estimation twenty.
Speaker 10 (12:01):
In ten years, bief On Dairy has grown from fifty
thousand to five point two million American cattle. News.
Speaker 12 (12:10):
This is Tim Hammrich of the Egg Information Network with
your Farm of the Future report. Yesterday we reported on
why the winter time could actually be a great time
to build mineral associated organic matter which can help to
capture and store nitrogen. But how exactly does this work.
Advancing Eco Agriculture founder John Kemp says there are a
(12:31):
few factors that are key to fixing nitrogen to be
available for next season's crop.
Speaker 7 (12:37):
When you have the combination of microbes which have the
capacity for nitrogen fixation, combined with a strong biostimulant, combined
with some degree of crop residue or available soil carbon,
combined with cold temperatures, not warm temperatures in most agricultural
(12:57):
soils you can quite readily fix six to eighty units
of nitrogen from fall to spring. In some soils you
can do more. In some soils you can't do that
much because they don't have enough carbon. So it is
there is a degree of context dependency here, as there
is with all biological products. So I think that's somewhere
we're really missing the window of opportunity in many conventional
igonomic from managed soils. Instead of putting on biological in
(13:20):
outcuts in the fall, we're putting on anhydrosimmonia in the fall,
which is the exact opposite effect.
Speaker 12 (13:24):
Advancing ecoag offers soil primer products like rejuvenate and revenant
charge that help to awaken existing biology.
Speaker 15 (13:32):
You've probably been told that to reach a millennial farmer
you have to go digital hmmm, Facebook, Vimeo, YouTube, Instagram, Pinterest,
LinkedIn and online publication or maybe a podcast hmm, but
which one? Oh, and how receptive is this age group
to your sales pitch during non work social time. Maybe
(13:52):
the best place to reach a farmer with a farming
solution message is when they are well, quite frankly farming.
You know, it's easy for us to find them during
the day as most farmers are behind the wheel of
a pickup truck or farm equipment with the radio on,
listening to this station for the ag Information Network of
the West News. If you'd like to deliver information about
(14:15):
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 12 (14:30):
This is Tim Hammrich with the form of the future
report brought to you by the agg Information Network.
Speaker 16 (14:37):
Welcome to the line on Agriculture Report. This is Lori
Boyer for the ag Information Network Illinois Soypeen Association oureach Agronomus.
Stephanie Porter says that according to her on farm trials,
sulfur deficiencies are becoming more widespread across the state and
potentially in other states. She explains what researchers have learned
and what it could mean for future nutrient management decisions.
Speaker 17 (14:57):
We're not saying that necessarily where you are in the state.
I think it depends on a lot of different things,
and some is organic matter, some is temperature. At planting,
and then overall, just how much sulfur do you have
in your soil, because some have some have been adding
sulfur with other products as well as to corn, and
(15:20):
so that also influences whether or not you have you know,
sulfur available.
Speaker 16 (15:24):
Porter states that she has found that fields with higher
organic matters seem to have higher sulfur levels are also.
Speaker 17 (15:30):
Seeing a lot of possible responses, not a lot, a
few responses in fields that have high organic matter, so
think no tail or cover crops.
Speaker 3 (15:41):
Porters.
Speaker 16 (15:42):
Research will continue when it comes to sulfur and farming.
When it comes to sulfur and farming, Porter says that
the research will continue, especially in high organic matter fields,
especially in larger high organic tracks. With today's line on
Agriculture report, I'm Lori Boyer for the agg Information Network.
Speaker 15 (15:58):
You've probably been told that 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 18 (16:13):
Oh?
Speaker 15 (16:13):
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
(16:35):
station for the AG Information Network of the West 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 16 (16:57):
For the AG Information Network.
Speaker 19 (16:59):
I'm Lori Boyer.
Speaker 13 (17:00):
Cash Creek Foods has a whole team to help farmers
innovate and make new products in the atman industry. I'm
Patrick Cavanaugh with the California Trina Report, part of that
vast AG Information network. Christy Myers heads up business development
with Cash Creek Foods.
Speaker 20 (17:17):
We believe the innovation and we've seen it practically. It
really requires a whole team approach. So quality has to
be bought in. We have to have a processing center
for it and know that we're going to be able
to make it efficiently, and then we have to be
willing to take the risk that it's going to require
time to test and launch products that hopefully will make it,
(17:37):
because really great brands are launching them, but maybe some
of them won't.
Speaker 13 (17:41):
Meyer said, Cash Creek Foods is firmly focused on farmers.
Speaker 20 (17:45):
And then also we want to stay rooted in our
desire to help farmers add value to their crops directly.
So we do all we can to work with growers
who want to create a snack brand or a jarred
butter or whatever products they want to make. So our
motto is always innovating is how our customers win, and
it's how we're going to win to and of course
(18:05):
it has to taste good. So we also have a
snack line and we have like maple covered almonds and
butter toffee almonds and things like that we serve as
as a manufacturer.
Speaker 13 (18:16):
Again, that's Christy Myers who heads up business development with
Cash Creek Foods, which enhances other amend products.
Speaker 15 (18:23):
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? Oh,
and how receptive. Is this age group to your sales
pitch during non work social time. Maybe the best place
(18:45):
to reach a farmer with a farming solution message is
when they are well, quite frankly farming. You know, it's
easy for us to find them during the day, as
most farmers are behind the wheel of a pickup truck
or farm equipment with the radio on, listening to this
station for the AG Information Network of the West News.
If you'd like to deliver information about your terrific product
(19:07):
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 21 (19:22):
With the AG Information Network. I'm Patrick Cavanaugh, Welcome to
AG Life. I'm Dwayne Murley with your farm News.
Speaker 2 (19:29):
The treads of atmospheric rivers at Pacific coast states seem
to be widely down yet, as USDA be rologist Brad
Rippey says, before that occurs.
Speaker 4 (19:38):
This week, we are seeing two more rounds of storminess.
The first one will be in the Northwest that's underway now.
I'm actually seeing some pre significant precipitation in the Cascades
and the northern Rockies. Before this is all done, we
could see another two to six inches of liquid that'll
be snow at the higher elevations, some light rain as
you move into the valleys, and then later in the
week we'll get a quick burst of precipitation in the
(19:58):
Southwest that's actually highly beneficial. That's one area that is
sorely lacking in snowpack. Unfortunately, this will be another mild system,
so snowpack will be limited by those higher temperatures.
Speaker 2 (20:08):
What Rippy calls radio silos for several days from a
precipitation perspective out west after the last storm system departs
the area by this weekend, potential rains and snows. Meanwhile,
we'll move towards the central at eastern US later this week.
Speaker 4 (20:23):
Pattern that may last for a couple of weeks, it
looks like, and that will put us in a break
from this extremely active weather. That does bring its own
set of concerns as we go quiet again in the West,
that those areas lacking in snowpack, like Oregon, the Northern
Great Base in western Utah, and the four corner states
are going to fall further behind on that for areas
like the Sierra Nevada and the northern Rockies where snowpack
(20:44):
is adequate to abundant, and that's not a problem if
we go quiet for a week or two, but we
will have to keep an eye on this changing Western
weather pattern. Storminess is going to shift eastward, at least temporarily,
and we're looking at a couple of weather systems that
will track generally through the central and southern Rockies, central
and southern Great Plains, and eventually move out of the
US into Great Lakes region. They will be back to
(21:05):
back systems mid to late week period. The first of
those two systems will be a fairly warm, wet system,
so we're looking at rainfall in parts of the South,
the East, and even into the Midwest with that system.
Not a whole lot of snow initially with that, maybe
just some really wet snow far north and west of
the low pressure system as it tracks across the Midwest.
The second system will be a little bit more moisture starved,
(21:28):
but it will have a little bit more cold air
to work with, so it'll be a more efficient snow maker,
just not a whole lot of moistures, so the snow
totals will be modest. Nevertheless, we will see some snow
beneficial in the central and southern Rockies, might get a
quick burst of snow on parts of the central and
southern Great Plains, then eventually a stripe of snow likely
across the Midwest into the Great Lake States. The moisture,
especially in drought affected areas, will be welcomed with this system.
(21:51):
Taking a look ahead, this is the National Weather Service
eight to fourteen day outlook, covering the time period January
thirteenth through the nineteenth. At mid January period, it actually
looks pretty quiet much of the country, expecting near or
above normal temperatures along with near or below normal precipitation.
Any lingering cold weather likely to be across the eastern
(22:11):
half of the country probably a little bit more likely
as you move north toward the Canadian border, and in
terms of precipitation, really a pretty weak storm pattern across
the country. As we move through mid January. There is
maybe some opportunities for some snow across the north, especially
in the north central United States. There may be some
storming is grazing the southern tier of the country, say
from the Rio Grande eastward along portions of the western
(22:34):
Gulf Coast, but all in all pretty quiet and no
real extremes as we move into mid January.
Speaker 2 (22:40):
Rod Bain reporting for the US Department of Agriculture in Washington,
d C.
Speaker 21 (22:46):
Julie Callahan is the new US Trade representative, is chief
agg negotiator, and China's new beef care off comes, so
she's settling into her job with a pledge to open
that market to beef and other US farm commodities.
Speaker 18 (23:00):
China across the board has been weaponizing agriculture.
Speaker 21 (23:05):
China's Commerce ministry in sins It's just announced fifty five
percent above quota beef imports tariff is a quote safeguard
measure to protect its domestic industry. Either way, it's a
new challenge for Callahan.
Speaker 18 (23:20):
If confirmed, I am committed to reopening China's market to
US beef.
Speaker 21 (23:26):
Beef is part of a list of restricted farm products.
Speaker 18 (23:30):
Sorghum, beef, a number of commodities, cotton.
Speaker 21 (23:34):
Across the board, China imported just one hundred and thirty
eight thousand tons of beef from the US and twenty
twenty four, compared with over one point three million tons
from Brazil. US volume dropped to just over fifty five
thousand tons through last November after Beijing allowed permits to
expire at hundreds of US meat plants amid China's tariff
(23:56):
war with the US. China's new tariff took effect on
January first for three years, with a total two point
seven million ton quota said to increase annually. Thanks for
being with us. You're listening to AGG Live. I'm Dwayne Merley.
Speaker 19 (24:13):
It's time for California AG Today on the AG Information Network.
I am Haley ship Well. Every day we make careful
choices about our health. We read labels in grocery stores,
scan ingredient lists, and avoid things that we don't recognize
because we know that what we put into our body's matters.
But one of the most important labels might not be
(24:34):
in your pantry. It may be in your closet. The
tags on our shirts are children's pajamas, and the sheets
we sleep on tell us what touches our skin every day.
Many people don't realize that there is a choice being
made in the clothing aisle between materials that come from
plants and materials that come from plastic. That choice is
(24:55):
the focus of a new public awareness effort from the
US cotton industry called the Plant Not Plastic Campaign Stacy Gorman,
director of Communications for the Cotton Board.
Speaker 22 (25:06):
Instead of treating microplastics as an abstract environmental problem, this
campaign directly links synthetic clothing to microplastics found in the lungs,
the bloodstream, even the brain, and the core message is
what you wear matters.
Speaker 19 (25:22):
The Plant Not Plastic Campaign is designed to empower consumers
with clearer information and more natural choices. You can learn
more at Plant Not Plastic dot org.
Speaker 15 (25:34):
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
(25:55):
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.
(26:18):
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 19 (26:32):
With California AGG Today on the AG Information Network, I
am Haley's ship.
Speaker 1 (26:37):
Bob quit here with some farmer use Today friends. While
along several Western mountain ranges, snowpack water equivalency is reported
at near or below normal levels. As the water accumulation
season approaches its halfway point, Rod Bain brings us up
to date.
Speaker 2 (26:53):
Even with headlines of extensive precipitation at several parts of
the West this winter.
Speaker 4 (26:57):
We have been contending with unusually warm weather that has
limited high elevation snow accumulations.
Speaker 2 (27:03):
And in sub ranges, contributing to near to below normal
mountain snowpack so far this season. USDA merologist Brad Rippy says,
if this trend continues through the remainder of winter, Subwestern
reservoirs and entered AGG irrigators and municipalities may face water
supply issues this spring and summer. Now, there are sub
areas currently with nearer to above normal high elevation snowpack, including.
Speaker 4 (27:26):
The Northern Rockies far enough north that the warmth hasn't
really eaten into those snow accumulations. The only other area
of the West that is doing reasonably well in terms
of snowpack accumulations to this point in the season is
this year in Nevada.
Speaker 2 (27:39):
That coming after a January rebound in snow accumulation after
a slow start to the mountain snowpack season. A broad
Day reporting for the US Department of Agriculture in Washington,
d c.
Speaker 1 (27:51):
Well Friends, the December Purdue University CME Group agg Economy
Barometer showed a weakening in farmer sentiment. Michael Langmyre, the
director of the Purdue University Center for Commercial Agriculture, talked
about the newest index.
Speaker 23 (28:05):
The index decline from one thirty nine in November to
one thirty six in December, but the one thirty six
is still stronger than what it was in August, September,
in October, and essentially what happened here is we had
a slight weakness in the index of future expectations. The
index of current conditions actually remained the same as it
was the month before, and so a very small change.
Another thing that I want to point out is the
(28:26):
financial performance index since that ninety four, which is quite
a bit higher than what it was July, August and September.
And essentially what that ninety four means is if they
look at their financial performance this year compared to next year,
they think next year is going to be about the same.
Speaker 1 (28:40):
It seems as though the index held study between November
and December.
Speaker 23 (28:44):
Yes, I think that's a very good way to put it.
One of the things that we did look at is
in terms of the crop sector, in the livestock sector,
and one of the things that we've noticed the last
couple of months is there's fewer livestock producers saying this
is a good time. And I think that reflects some
of the weakness we saw ins for a while in
November December, and so be curious to see what happens
to that as we turn into a new year.
Speaker 1 (29:06):
Despite the slight decline of the overall index, the barometer
asked farmers their feelings about future exports.
Speaker 23 (29:12):
We added that specifically because we were very interested in
what their perspective was of this new agreement with China.
But also this is an important season for Brazilian soybeans.
It's just get an idea of relative competitiveness. And so
when we ask a question that's more generic and say
do you expect exports in general the increase remain the
same or decrease, only five percent said decreased, and that
was a very low number. So overall, if you talk
(29:35):
to everybody of all commodities, they're pretty confident that we're
going to see some increases in exports or they're going
to remain the same.
Speaker 1 (29:41):
There was even optimism around soybean exports. Michael Langmeier, Perdue
University this morning. In twenty twenty four, honeybee colonies in
the US experienced significant losses, with an estimated fifty five
percent of managed conlonies reported lost from April to twenty
four through April of twenty five, making the highest loss
(30:03):
rate since tracking began back in twenty ten. The Honeybee
Health Coalition has since crafted what it calls the North
American Bee Strategy toward improving pollinator health. Mike Davis has our.
Speaker 8 (30:15):
Story Matt Malika, head of the coalition, says they brought
together the leading beekeeper organizations in the US and Canada.
Speaker 9 (30:24):
The groups that came together were the American Beekeeping Federation,
the American Honey Producers Association, the Canadian Beekeeping Federation, and
the Canadian Honey Council, and so really the biggest beekeeping
associations in North America. This is what we need and
this is how we think we can collectively come together
to improve the health of bees.
Speaker 8 (30:45):
Malica says the biggest threat to be health is the veroamite.
Speaker 9 (30:50):
The verroamite was introduced in the late eighties from Asia
and it's been devastating for beekeepers and they're always trying
to keep up with it. These mights have disease, and
those diseases are really what effect and of ultimately kill
these hives that are not as strong because of impacts
(31:11):
from poor nutrition and pesticites.
Speaker 8 (31:13):
Among other things. The strategy calls for more research and
international cooperation.
Speaker 9 (31:19):
There's a need for more science collaboration, more tools in
the toolbox of beekeepers to streamline various systems and processes.
To have the US and Canadian governments work together in areas.
You know certain things beekeepers can do, other things they
really can't.
Speaker 8 (31:37):
You can find more information about the North American be
strategy at Honeybee helped Coalition dot Org. I'm Mike Davis,
Farm me US.
Speaker 1 (31:46):
This morning. You're listening to WAG Life.
Speaker 24 (31:49):
From the Egg information that work on Bob Larson with
your agribusiness update.
Speaker 2 (31:54):
Well.
Speaker 24 (31:54):
The US announced a new slate of research priorities for
twenty twenty six, focusing on farm profitability, climate resilians, and
food system innovation. Official say upcoming competitive grants will emphasize
soil health, water efficiency, pests and disease control, and technologies
that help producers adapt to extreme weather. The priorities also
include improving nutrition, food safety, and rural economic development. Research
(32:16):
investments are intended to deliver practical, science based solutions producers
can use on the ground. Efforts by China to reduce
its resilience on imported soybeans are raising questions about the
long term outlook for US soybean exports. Atalyst Sai, China,
the world's largest soybean buyer, has been encouraging lower soybean
meal use in livestock feed and expanding domestic oil seed production,
(32:37):
while imports remain high, and a sustained reduction could have
ripple effects on global markets. US farmers rely heavily on
export demand, with China getting a significant share of the shipments,
and beef prices are expected to continue climbing in the
coming year as tight cattle supplies here and abroad strain
the global market. US cattle inventories remain near multi decade
lows with shrinking herds. At the same time, Brazil, the
(32:59):
world's largest beef egg is seeing reduced exportable supplies due
to herd cycles and strong domestic demand. The combination is
limiting available beef at a time when consumer demand has
remained relatively steady.
Speaker 15 (33:10):
For over forty years, the AG Information Network has been
providing news and information for the most important industry in
the world, agriculture. The AG Information Network gives you worldwide
updates from local producers to regional organizations, from major crops
like wheat and corn, to animal agriculture to specially crops
like apples, almonds, and cherries. We report on stories that
(33:31):
mean the most to you online at aginfo dot net.
The AGG Information Network trusted in transparent journalism, lasting for
the next generation 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
(33:52):
for the ag Information Network of the West News. So
reach real farmers right here, right now as they listen
to what's important 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.
Speaker 24 (34:07):
Problem theagg Information Network on Bob Larson with your agribusiness update.
Speaker 1 (34:11):
Bob went back to wrap up AGLI for today. Friends. Well,
here's a new opportunity in FFA fundraising. Chad Smith as
the story on the Plant Powered Fundraiser Program.
Speaker 25 (34:22):
FFA chapters have a fresh opportunity to boost their spring
fundraisers thanks to a new partnership between seminist Vegetable Seeds
and ball Seed. The Plant Powered Fundraiser Program gives chapters
discounted access to professional grade vegetable seeds, helping students raise
funds while gaining hands on growing experience. Tyler ash Field
(34:42):
sales rep with Seminis, explains why this program matters.
Speaker 6 (34:46):
We created this program to make fundraising more impactful for
FFA chapters. By offering high quality vegetable seeds at a
special discount, we're helping students grow something great while supporting
their local communities.
Speaker 25 (34:58):
The program includes seeds for popular crops like tomatoes, peppers, cucumbers, broccoli, squash,
and even watermelons, all packed inconvenient one hundred seed sizes,
perfect for local plant sales. These are the same trusted
seminist varieties used by professional growers, giving chapters a strong
selling point for their fundraiser.
Speaker 6 (35:19):
When you grow Seminis, you're offering your community the same
varieties trusted by professional growers, better varieties with excellent yield potential,
and the trades commercial farmers rely on and people actually
want to eat. That leads to what hopefully are more
successful sales for your chapter.
Speaker 25 (35:33):
Beyond the discount, chapters will have access to growing tips
from Seminus's home garden team, plus branded flyers and marketing
materials to help promote their sales. Orders are placed through
ball Seed, a leader in horticultural distribution, ensuring chapters get
professional grade seed and reliable service.
Speaker 6 (35:52):
It's easy to get started. Chapters sign up through Ball's website,
a link which they can easily access through the program
landing page on the Seminis site. All you need is
a chapter number to sign up as a ball Seed
customer and receive the FFA discount. Once orders are placed,
more information will come in the spring to help make
their sales a success.
Speaker 25 (36:12):
The Plant Powered Fundraiser is open to all FFA chapters nationwide.
To learn more and get started, go to Vegetables dot
Bayer dot com and look for the Plant Powered Fundraiser program.
Seminis in its parent company, Bayer, believe in the mission
of FFA and in supporting today's youth as they develop
leadership skills and hands on agricultural experience. This program reflects
(36:36):
their commitment to investing in the future of farming and
helping chapters thrive again. Go to Vegetables dot Bayer dot
com to learn more. Again, Tyler ash with Seminus encouraging
FFA chapters to take advantage of this exciting program. Today,
Chad Smith reporting.
Speaker 1 (36:54):
With that friends, abount of time for today, thanks for
joining us. Back Monday morning with another edition A Bad
Life
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