November 6, 2025

Episode Transcript

Speaker 1 (00:00):
Good morning, valley, This is aglife. My name is Bob Quinn,
with you for the next hour talking about agricultural production
here in the valley and all across the country. Well, friends,
we start off this morning looking at winter wheat production.
Winter wheat production and yield projections are among the highlights
found in USDA's Small Grains Summary Report issued earlier this fall.
Rod Bain takes a look at the numbers.

Speaker 2 (00:22):
USDA's projection for this year's winter wheat crop production the
highest in almost a decade.

Speaker 3 (00:27):
This year's production of one point four billion bushels is
the highest since twenty sixteen.

Speaker 2 (00:33):
Above the highlights of the Agriculture departments Small Grade Summary
for twenty twenty five, Athony Priliament of the National Agricultural
Statistics Service says the increased production is fueled apart by
what is the second highest winter wheat crop yield odd record.

Speaker 4 (00:49):
Average yield for twenty twenty five is estimated at fifty
four point nine bushels per acre.

Speaker 3 (00:53):
That's up to tens of a percent, or just one
tenth of.

Speaker 5 (00:56):
A bushel from our previous forecast in up six point
two percent worth three point two d bushels.

Speaker 2 (01:00):
The DAAs estimate for winter wheat production comes in above
industry expectations. Revised total US wheat production numbers total one
point nine eight billion bushels, up less than one percent
from last year. I'm Broadbane reporting for the US Department
of Agriculture in Washington, d C.

Speaker 1 (01:18):
Well Friends, the Association of Equipment Manufacturers released a new
study examining how technological advancements across agriculture, construction, and the
utility industries are helping organizations improve output and use less
water now. The report, titled From Source to Solution Advancing
Water Stewardship in the Non Road Sector, showcases the world
class water stewardship taking place across North America and highlights

(01:41):
how US equipment manufacturers are helping to save trillions of
gallons of water annually through modern practices and technologies. More
farm news coming up. You're listening to Aglife Bob when
here was some farm news this morning, Friends. New analysis
from the American Farm Bureau points to a simple solution
for supporting the whole farm economy. Chad Smith has details.

Speaker 6 (02:00):
For more than a decade, school children have been prevented
from purchasing whole or two percent milk in schools, but
as American Farm Bureau Federation economists Danny Munch tells US
reversing that decision could be a benefit to kids as
well as a positive step for improving the farm economy.

Speaker 4 (02:18):
It was really supposed to be on top of efforts
to reduce fat consumption, but we realized quickly that it
can really relate to modern nutritional science, and that meant
whole and two percent milk, the pipe's most families buy
at home, were taken off the menu, especially for school kids.
Since then, milk consumption in schools that has dropped. That's
why there's been growing momentum to bring that choice.

Speaker 7 (02:35):
Back, he said.

Speaker 6 (02:35):
School milk accounts for almost eight percent of fluid milk demands,
so it's a significant market driver.

Speaker 4 (02:41):
There were four point eighty six billion school meals served
in twenty twenty four, and eighty five percent of student's
grab milk. Skin milk has no grams of fat and
one percent has about two point five grams of fat.
So if we switched to two percent end whole milk,
that would increase five point five to eight grams of
butterfat per serving to each of those kids. That would
boost up return for dairy farmers because of that higher
value fluid milk market.

Speaker 6 (03:03):
The benefits don't just stop at the farm gate. As
nutrition science proves, whole and two percent milk provide benefits
to kids.

Speaker 4 (03:10):
Whole milk is creamier, as better flavor, and it helps
them feel full and cuts waste. It delivers thirteen essential
nutrients that support healthy growth and lifestyles. You also have
benefits on the farmers side too. Local dairies that don't
have costly separators to remove butterfat can now have access
to the school system.

Speaker 6 (03:26):
That makes it a win for school kids, rural communities,
and dairy farmers. Chad Smith, Washington Well Friends.

Speaker 1 (03:33):
Most American consumers not familiar with farming will talk about
the dangers of pesticides and how much damage they do
to the environment. To combat that narrative, Crop Life America
commissioned the University of Arkansas to conduct an independent three
year life cycle assessment that comprehensibly evaluates the environmental benefits
and impacts of pesticide application. CLA President and CEO Alexandra

(03:55):
Dunn says the assessment looked at forty different farms that
didn't control weeds or insects, what.

Speaker 8 (04:00):
We learned is that the weeds ultimately would take over,
the insects would take over, and the farmer would have
to use more land, use more water, and ultimately more
greenhouse gases would be emitted. So by controlling pests and
controlling weeds, we're actually able to help the land be

(04:20):
more productive and get more out of the land that
we have, and the farmer can actually produce more.

Speaker 1 (04:26):
None noted it's important to use assessments such as this
to educate the general population about the challenges and successes
taking place in the farming community. And when it comes
to politics, she said, science based reports go a long
way to ensure farmers and producers get a seat at
the table and can share the story of agriculture.

Speaker 8 (04:44):
Those legislators that sit in the state houses up in
the Pacific Northwest getting out, I mean, hopefully some of
them are growers and farmers running for office. You know,
the more the more farmers and growers that are actually
decision makers, that's better for farming. Though, we certainly are
looking for people who understand agriculture to be involved in

(05:06):
policymaking because we really need that so that people who
are familiar with the advances in ag to really speak
for agg when we're passing new laws and new requirements.

Speaker 1 (05:16):
Alexandra Dune Crop Life America with US well friends. The
bison industry is facing many challenges to profitability, but producers
recently got some good news. Lori Boyer has a.

Speaker 9 (05:26):
Report Drought, trade challenges, tariff's, natural disasters, and a shrinking
workforce are all contributing to low bison herd numbers across
the nation. Jim Mathieson, executive director of the National Bison Association,
shares more on a factors impacting the industry and what
is being done to address them.

Speaker 10 (05:43):
Not as many bison are coming down from Canada to
be finished in process in the US for the US marketplace.
With the thread of tariffs and etc. That we've seen
this year with our relations with Canada, I wouldn't say
they're strained by any means, but they have gone and
developed more capacity within Canada to process bison there to
serve that domestic marketplace, but also to export. Canada has

(06:03):
had a zero percent trade agreement with the European Union
for a number of years in which a lot of
that product is heading over to the EU. However, we
were just informed recently by the US Trade Representatis Office
that the new trade deal with the European Union will
remove the tariff on bison meat imports into the EU
for the US, which will put US at a competitive
advantage or equal footing at least with Canada.

Speaker 9 (06:24):
According to the National Bison Association. In addition to being
a nutrient dense protein, they are healthy for the planet
as they stimulate new plant growth, their manure provides nutrients
to the soil, and their wallows helped to capture rainfall.

Speaker 1 (06:36):
Forrey Boyer with us this morning farm News. You're listening
to ag Life.

Speaker 11 (06:40):
It's another rag news update, Thy cattle supplies, rising livestock optimism,
and fresh trade and policy headlines all ahead after this.

Speaker 6 (06:50):
Ryan, I don't know how else to say this, so
I'll just say it.

Speaker 7 (06:54):
What is it, Linda? I think we should see other people.
Are you breaking up.

Speaker 6 (06:57):
With me on a rollercoaster? Maybe received.

Speaker 7 (07:05):
An emotional roller coaster? Surprising? What's not surprising? How much
you could say by switching to Geico, I just need
a little lead time, geikow fifteen minutes could save you
fifteen percent or more.

Speaker 11 (07:19):
Cattle markets remain constrained as the border with Mexico stays
closed following talks with President Claudias Shinbaum from Mexico and
us A Secretary Brook Rawlins, both governments praising screw worm
control progress but offering no reopening date, leaving roughly a
quarter million Mexican feeders waiting, while Texas and New Mexico

(07:42):
feed yards face thinning inventories. Farmer sentiment improved modestly in October,
Purdue CME AG Economy Barometer rising to one twenty nine
on the strength of livestock, even as crop margins weakened.
In Washington, Farm Bureau policy chief John Newton, pressing for
steady trade enforcement, expended biofuel incentives and restored whole milk

(08:07):
access in schools to stabilize farm income, and globally, sugar
output from Brazil, India and Thailand continues to climb. It's
pushing futures toward multi year lows and squeezing export returns
across the sector. Optimism and livestock and steady policy debate
contrasts a broader fight to balance tight supply, soft prices,

(08:30):
and fragile rural margins. It's another agnews update.

Speaker 12 (08:35):
As farmers and ranchers. Stewardship of the land comes naturally.
Your work keeps our water clean and improves the soil
and enhances wildlife habitat. It also provides countless benefits, not
just for you and your family, but for millions of
Americans who depend on this region every day without even
realizing it. Thank you for being stewards of America's prairie

(08:56):
for all of us. Take a moment to find out
how conservation pays. Visit Conservation pays dot.

Speaker 11 (09:03):
Orger American Cattle News. Almost time for the Cattle Industry
Convention and NCBA Trade Show. More after this.

Speaker 2 (09:14):
Ryan, I don't know how else to say this, so
I'll just say it.

Speaker 7 (09:17):
What is it, Linda? I think we should see other people.

Speaker 6 (09:20):
Are you breaking up with me on a roller coaster?

Speaker 13 (09:23):
Well, we do have a lot of fun.

Speaker 14 (09:25):
Maybe we should steady.

Speaker 7 (09:29):
An emotional roller coaster. Surprising. What's not surprising how much
you could say by switching to Geico.

Speaker 14 (09:36):
I just hate a little me time, Geigo.

Speaker 7 (09:39):
Fifteen minutes could save you fifteen percent or more.

Speaker 11 (09:42):
Cattle Industry and NCBA Trade Show, now known as Cattle
con moves to Nashville February third through the fifth. Mikayla
Klausser is with NCBA.

Speaker 15 (09:56):
I am very excited for this cattle Con in twenty
twenty six in Nashville because it is the first time
that Cattleman's College is included in all registrations, so it
is not a separate registration, it is not a separate fee.
All attendees are able to attend Cattleman's College, so we're
really excited about that that it's open to everyone that attends,

(10:16):
and with that, we have some fantastic sessions to highlight.
We will have a pretty in depth succession planning workshop.
There will be a chance for producers and attendees to
become QA certified, so there'll be a QA certification and
then also you'll hear You'll hear a wide variety of
different topics from genetics to repro nutrition, cattle health, and handling.

(10:41):
So we have some really fantastic cutting edge topics and
speakers that are coming to Nashville. And that Cattleman's College
is available to all attendees.

Speaker 11 (10:50):
So Cattleman's College is good for cattleman, it's also good
for ranch hands and others.

Speaker 4 (10:57):
Oh.

Speaker 15 (10:57):
Absolutely, Cattleman's College is geared towards everyone. So whether it's
an owner operator or as you mentioned, a ranch hand
or a worker, or a college student that is there
with their university and want to learn more about a
specific topic, if they're exploring grad school, or other companies
and experts within the industry that are interested in certain topics.

(11:19):
I want to interact with the speaker. It really is,
there really is something for everyone in katle on.

Speaker 11 (11:24):
This College American Cattle News.

Speaker 1 (11:29):
This is Dairy Radio.

Speaker 16 (11:30):
Now.

Speaker 3 (11:31):
I'm John Clark, I think in the countryside for feed
Where's USA Today? I have the pleasure of being with
Casey Kindler with National Milk Producers Federation. Macy Welcome and
tell us what you do at National Milk.

Speaker 17 (11:41):
Thanks John, Thanks for having me at National Milk. I'm
the senior director of Board, State and Member Relations, so
everything I do kind of dabbles in that membership space,
making sure we're communicating out to our members what National
Milk does and also providing that forum for those dairy
producers to talk about, you know, what's happening boots on
the ground and how National Milk can help them in
the dairy policy space.

Speaker 3 (12:03):
Now, you just finished up a week at World Dairy Expo,
and I know you were on a panel out there.
Tell us a little bit about that.

Speaker 17 (12:08):
Sure, So Worldairy Expo, It's always a great event, and
it honestly it felt like a full circle moment for me.
I was out there was my last trip when I
was with my last organization, so first trip with National Milk,
so it was really great to meet familiar faces and
meet new people as well. We did have some panel
discussions out there. I introduced a panel that was hosted
by National Milk Producers Federation's Young Cooperators Program. This panel

(12:31):
was about progressive farmers, so innovation strategy, the future of
dairy farming. So we had four panelists on that panel
and they discussed what does the future of dairy farming
look like for them? And what we really found is
that it came a little different for each dairy farmer.
But I think one of the main takeaway messages that
I got from the panel was as long as they

(12:52):
are always striving for continuous improvement, that they are thinking
about the future of what their dairy, their family, their community.
There's a lot is they have that kind of mindset.
They are being a progressive farmer and thinking about you know,
what could they do differently, what could they do better,
How could they better serve their family, their dairies, their community.
It really puts things into perspective for me to come

(13:13):
back to the office and have that be my fuel
for working for them in the office space in Arlington, Virginia,
everything that is, you know, hits a dairy farmer. We
try to make sure that they're in our priorities and
so working on their behalf on Capitol Hill, making sure
that we're having those conversations with legislators, with Congress making
sure that our members' voices are being heard. And one

(13:34):
of the other things we hosted another panel at World
Dairy Expo about dairy policy and you know, dairy policy
in the Trump era. We're about two hundred and fifty
days in and one key message that came out of
that panel. We had several members on that panel as
well as our president and CEO, Gregg Down, and one
of the take home messages was we have to have
a united voice. We have to be unified and go

(13:55):
to Capitol Hill, go to our congressmen, go to our legislators,
and make sure that we're all speaking with the same voice.
Because if they hear from dairy producers or cooperatives, and
they're hearing mixed messages. That's not going to help the
dairy community. That's not going to help the dairy community
at LARTE.

Speaker 3 (14:10):
Tell us about your annual meeting coming up?

Speaker 17 (14:12):
Sure, So, our annual meeting happens every year. This year
it is in Arlington, Texas. It is our joint annual meeting,
and so what this is we bring together dairy producers
from all walks of life and really joint annual meeting
is hosted by National Dairy Promotion and Research Board, National
Milk Producers Federation, and the United Dairy Industry Association. And

(14:32):
this year Arlington, Texas. November tent through the twelfth, so
registration is open. We'd love to see as many dairy
farmers out there as possible. We are expecting about seven
hundred and fifty to eight hundred attendees, so we're really excited.
And this year's theme is making every drop count, driving
results for dairy, so really demonstrating the commitment of the

(14:53):
National Dairy Farmer Promotion and Policy organizations to implement strategies
and programs that optimize short and long term success for
our dairy farmers and the broader dairy community. So excited
for those conversations. We have a lot of panels planned,
we have some breakout sessions, some keynote addresses. So excited
to bring everyone together in Arlington, Texas and really again

(15:14):
give me the opportunity to meet our members and also
get more of that appreciation and fuel that drives us
every day.

Speaker 3 (15:21):
You know, the more we can communicate with each other,
particularly in your position and your members, it's just got
to be really educational and informative to you and really
helps drive home while you're doing what you're doing.

Speaker 17 (15:32):
Absolutely, and you know, hearing from our members, you know,
they are why we are here. And so our members
set our priorities, you know, set our strategic direction, and
so hearing from them, you know what really matters. What
do we need to focus on at the National Milk
Producers Federation, at the federal level, It's very important and
it drives everything we do.

Speaker 3 (15:51):
He so tell us where we can find more information
about National Milk and or the annual meeting.

Speaker 17 (15:55):
So to find more information about National Milk you can
visit our website at NMPF dot org. We also have
a podcast that's called deary defined.

Speaker 3 (16:03):
Casey Kindler with Nationale Producers Federation. Thanks for joining us today.

Speaker 17 (16:07):
Thank you so much.

Speaker 18 (16:07):
John.

Speaker 3 (16:08):
I'm John Clark, Sorry for Peter.

Speaker 14 (16:10):
It's USA best management practices when spraying tree nut orchards.
I'm Patrick Cavanaugh with the California Tree Dout Report, part
of the vastag Information Network. Paul Squires is an independent
PCA with Squires Act Consulting in Uba City. He makes
a lot of recommendations. He comments on how well, listen,

(16:31):
you got to be careful out there when you're spraying.
Many things can happen, even accidentally.

Speaker 19 (16:36):
Human error, Right, that's going to be the biggest one,
because everybody's human tendencies can create a problem. Right that
a lack of attention for just a second can be
a problem for grabbing the wrong jug, not measuring the
win properly, or knowing what's coming up in thirty minutes,
and or applying close to something that you shouldn't be
applying close to.

Speaker 14 (16:54):
And when writing a recommendation, you can't just be two
general prevent drift. You got to designate do you not
drift on the east side or the north side near
the house or the school bus stop.

Speaker 19 (17:04):
Yeah, any sensitive area, right, So do not drift at
the end of the day the property you're applying to.
If as soon as material leaves that property line, that's
a chemical trespass and so it's pretty hard for that
not to take place. It's our job to make sure
that if it does take place, that it doesn't actually
cause any damage.

Speaker 14 (17:21):
And Squire's is actually talking about staying out of trouble
and maybe staying at a litigation.

Speaker 19 (17:25):
It just depends on the magnitude of it as far
as how far it can go. But yeah, you want
to make sure that you're responsible and accountable for the
options you provide.

Speaker 14 (17:33):
That's Paul Squires, a longtime PCA based at Yuba City.

Speaker 13 (17:38):
Today we're talking with aphis and white flies about sephena
insecticide from BASF.

Speaker 11 (17:42):
We just get nailed with it.

Speaker 13 (17:44):
So tell us, how are you feeling really, really weird
and you still want to devour this field? No way, bro,
There you have it, folks. Safena insecticide is specifically engineered
to disorient aphis and wifelies so they can't eat, and
when they can't eat, they chance destroyed.

Speaker 20 (18:01):
He'll protect your alfalfa from aphids with sephena insecticide. Always
read and follow label directions.

Speaker 21 (18:06):
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

(18:27):
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 with the AGI Information Network. I'm
Patrick Cavanaugh.

Speaker 16 (18:38):
In his latest attempt to lower the price of beef
and grocery stores, President Trump says he plans to increase
the volume of beef the US imports from Argentina. According
to the National Cattle and Vv Association, this effort would
risk harming the lives of the US cattle producers while
having little impact on the b prices consumers pay at
the meat counter. Allendale commodity broker Greg McBride says they

(19:02):
will have to wait and see what the details of
this plan are, as we do not yet know specifically
how much more beef will be imported.

Speaker 18 (19:09):
We don't know any of the details. We've heard we've
heard Argentina talk about it that we've heard President Trump
talk about it, but we haven't heard exactly what the
details are as far as the type of beef that
we will be importing. Now, Argentina is one of the
top six producers of beef in the world. They do
export a good amount, but they also use quite a bit,

(19:33):
so there's there is some beef that is available to us.
They've only sent us about one hundred million pounds of
beef last year, so we'd have to see them increase
that quite a bit to make it to make a
big difference.

Speaker 16 (19:48):
The current brazil heros have created a beef import gap
in the US, so McBride says, at least some of
the added beef from Argentina will just fill that gap.

Speaker 18 (19:58):
We do have tarriffs going on with Brazil and we
are we are a buyer of Brazilian beef quite a bit.
That kind of goes in with the turming grind to
make to make some of the like ground beef and
stuff like that. So you have to think that some
of what we'd be buying from ourch team would fill
back yet and then how much on top of that

(20:19):
would we then be able to buy that would kind
of help to kind of refill the freezers and bring
some of these prices down.

Speaker 16 (20:28):
Since there's so much about this plan that is unknown,
McBride's those farmers don't have to hit their marketing panic
button yet.

Speaker 18 (20:35):
We don't know what we don't know, so we just
kind of stay the status quo. It hit obviously hit
the markets pretty hard on on Friday when the rumor
came out, and we've kind of stabilized ever since, but
there isn't anything that really has changed. We don't know
when this would start, we don't know how much of
this of beef would be brought in. It obviously as

(21:00):
a competition for US beef, but it's also, as is
one of those things where we're pretty pretty well priced
on cattle at this point anyway, so you should be
exercising a little bit of caution. But without knowing all
the details, it's hard to say that we have to

(21:20):
we have to do anything drastic and get fully hedged
or anything like that, because in the past we've seen
talk of different things, but they haven't really amounted to
to bring the price of cattle down.

Speaker 22 (21:33):
Teams from the Caribbean, Mexico, and Japan teamed up with
US Meat Export Federation over the weekend to compete in
the World Food Championships in Indianapolis. USMEF Caribbean representative Liz
Wonderlick says the global teams reflect the growing interest in
American style barbecue using US beef and pork.

Speaker 16 (21:48):
Today.

Speaker 4 (21:48):
It's all about barbecue.

Speaker 23 (21:50):
It is hot, hot, hot in our Asian markets, for sure,
It's always been very popular in our Latin America markets.
We've been doing a lot of smoking seminars how to cook.

Speaker 24 (22:02):
Low and slow, and that was a real mindset.

Speaker 23 (22:05):
Because especially in the Caribbean region, when you say barbecue,
they're really meaning grill. They don't mean low and slow.
So teaching them that evolution from cooking hot and fast
on a grill which typically is ribbed, to cooking low
and slow with cuts like brisket and beef short ribs,

(22:26):
which is what they're going to be cooking here, as
well as the pork spare ribs, and he is doing.

Speaker 6 (22:33):
Belly pork belly, So we.

Speaker 23 (22:35):
Have two pork and two beef being represented here. Through
the Caribbean side of the barbecue competition.

Speaker 22 (22:42):
Mikro of the japan team WAGU Boys explains why he
and his two partners traveled halfway around the world to compete.

Speaker 25 (22:48):
Because I love barbecue. I grew up in the States, Kentucky.
I was into on barbecue when I was in Kentucky,
and when I went back to Japan, I started making
with the American way of a barbecue. So it's like
in Japan, lots of people are doing like Yakunika style

(23:10):
and that's not a barbecue thing. So we know how
to do it the American way, so we want to
share in Japan.

Speaker 22 (23:20):
For more, please visit USMEF dot org for the Usbeat
Expert Federation. I'm John Harris.

Speaker 24 (23:26):
It's time for California A Today on the ag Information Network,
I am Haley's ship. Everyone's choosing a cover crop was
a little easier. Well, farmers across the West now have
some help. A new online decision support tool is taking
the guesswork out of selecting cover crop species, and it's
tailored specifically to Western growers and their unique conditions. Sarah Light,

(23:48):
a University of California Cooperative Extension Agronomy Advisor put it simply,
this tool is the first of its kind, publicly available,
free to use, and validated by experts in the Western
region about Western cropping systems. Here's how it works. Farmers
enter their goals, like improving soil health or reducing erosion.
The tool then pulls in soil and climate data for

(24:11):
their location and recommends species that fit best. It's like
having a panel of experts right at your fingertips. Quite
the collaboration. The project brought together a broad group of
partners that included the Western Cover Crops Council, Precision Sustainable Agriculture,
and the usd's Natural Resources Conservation Service. Farmers, researchers, and

(24:31):
technical experts all had a hand in shaping the final product.
If you're curious and want to take a look at
that new tool, we've got a link to it on
our website that is aginfo dot net.

Speaker 26 (24:42):
Increasing your almond yield can seem like a tough nut
to crack, but it doesn't have to be. Protect your
crop with Maravon funge a side of bloom for auted
resiliency against frost, long lasting, broad spectrum disease control, and
proven yield results see that wouldn't tough at all. Maravon
funge aside number one in blue for all the right reasons.
I always read and follow label directions.

Speaker 13 (25:04):
Today we're talking with aphids and wife flies about sephena
insecticide from basf We just.

Speaker 11 (25:09):
Get nailed with it.

Speaker 13 (25:10):
So tell us how you feeling really really weird and
you still want to devour this few No way, bro,
There you have it, folks. Safena insecticide is specifically engineered
to disorient aphis and wifelies so they can't eat, and
when they can't eat, they can't destroy.

Speaker 20 (25:27):
He'll protect your alfalfa from aphids with sefena insecticide. Always
read and follow label directions.

Speaker 24 (25:33):
This is California AGG today on the AG Information Network.
I am Haley's ship. For more agnews, check us out
online at aginfo dot net.

Speaker 1 (25:41):
Bob when there were some farm news this morning, friends.
New analysis from the American Farm Bureau points to a
simple solution for supporting the whole farm economy. Chad Smith
has details.

Speaker 6 (25:51):
For more than a decade, school children have been prevented
from purchasing whole or two percent milkon schools, but as
American Farm Bureau Federation economists Danny Munch tells US reversing
that decision could be a benefit to kids as well
as a positive step for improving the farm economy.

Speaker 4 (26:09):
It was really supposed to be on top of efforts
to reduce fat consumption, but we realize quickly that it
didn't really relate to modern nutritional science, and that meant
whole and two percent milk, the pipe's most families buy
at home were taken off the menu, especially for school kids.
Since then, milk consumption in schools has dropped. That's why
there's been growing momentum to bring that choice.

Speaker 7 (26:26):
Back, he said.

Speaker 6 (26:27):
School milk accounts for almost eight percent of fluid milk demands,
so it's a significant market driver.

Speaker 4 (26:33):
There were four point eighty six billion school meals served
in twenty twenty four, and eighty five percent of student's
grab milk. Skin milk has no grams of fat and
one percent has about two point five grams of fat.
So if we switched to two percent end whole milk,
that would increase five point five to eight grams of
butterfat per serving to each of those kids. That would
boost up returns for dairy farmers because of that higher

(26:53):
value fluid milk market.

Speaker 6 (26:54):
The benefits don't just stop at the farm gate, As
nutrition science proves, whole and two percent milk provide benefits
to kids.

Speaker 4 (27:02):
Whome milk is creamier as better flavor, and it helps
them feel full and cuts waste. It delivers thirteen essential
nutrients that support healthy growth and lifestyles. You also have
benefits on the farmer side too. Local dairies that don't
have costly separators to remove butterfat can now have access
to the school system.

Speaker 6 (27:18):
That makes it a win for school kids, rural communities,
and dairy farmers. Chad Smith, Washington Well Friends.

Speaker 1 (27:25):
Most American consumers not familiar with farming will talk about
the dangers of pesticides and how much damage they do
to the environment. To combat that narrative, Crop Life America
commissioned the University of Arkansas to conduct an independent three
year life cycle assessment that comprehensibly evaluates the environmental benefits
and impacts of pesticide application. CLA President and CEO Alexandra

(27:49):
Dunn says the assessment looked at forty different farms that
didn't control weeds or insects.

Speaker 8 (27:54):
What we learned is that the weeds ultimately would take over,
the insects would take over, and the farmer would have
to use more land, use more water, and ultimately more
greenhouse gases would be emitted. So by controlling pests and
controlling weeds, we're actually able to help the land be

(28:15):
more productive and get more out of the land that
we have, and the farmer can actually produce.

Speaker 1 (28:20):
More None noted it's important to use assessments such as
this to educate the general population about the challenges and
successes taking place in the farming community. And when it
comes to politics, she said, science based reports go a
long way to ensure farmers and producers get a seat
at the table and can share the story of agriculture.

Speaker 8 (28:41):
Those legislators that sit in the state houses up in
the Pacific Northwest getting out, I mean hopefully some of
them are growers and farmers running for office. You know,
the more farmers and growers that are actually decision makers,
that's better for farming. Though, we certainly are looking and
for people who understand agriculture to be involved in policymaking,

(29:04):
because we really need that so that people who are
familiar with the advances in ag to really speak for
ag when we're passing new laws and new requirements.

Speaker 1 (29:13):
Alexandra Dunne Crop Life America with US Well Friends of
Fall Harvest outlook does not provide farmers with a great
deal of hope that prices will improve anytime soon. Mike
Davis takes a look.

Speaker 5 (29:24):
Steve Nicholson, global sector strategist for grains and oil seeds
with Rubbobank, says their latest report indicates prices are currently
in the bottom of a cycle.

Speaker 27 (29:33):
Farmers have said no more capital expenditor's machinery. They've tried
to mine the nutrients of the soil to reduce fertilizer costs,
you know, probably been a little more selective on their
sprain for herbicides. And now it's can we get cash
rents down a little bit er. So you're in the
bottom of that trough of where that could be. We
could be here for a little while longer, maybe a
couple of years.

Speaker 5 (29:51):
Nicholson says, there's a variety of factors working against agriculture
at the moment.

Speaker 27 (29:56):
When you look at farm machinery, it was high price
to start off with, with the fact that now they
have to deal with a fifty percent tariff on aluminium
and steel coming in let alone, what other things are
bringing in the United States to manufacture the machinery you use,
so you know that's not going down in price. And
then you have the whole chemistry and you look at fertilizers.
You know, chemistry, we rely on China for a law
of the active ingredients and so that obviously that's gotten

(30:18):
tinged with the tariff as well.

Speaker 5 (30:20):
And he says policy issues are also at play.

Speaker 27 (30:23):
We've seen COVID payments, We've seen MFP payments back in
the first Trump years, and now we're you know, kind
of maybe on the verge of that again. We've seen
the ECAT payments of course of last year, and so
we have these ad hoc programs that are coming into
the agriculture and what that's doing is that these high
support payments are kind of adding to the inflation of
everything that agriculture deals with.

Speaker 1 (30:43):
I'm Mike Davis farm US this morning. You're listening to
ag Life.

Speaker 28 (30:48):
From the agg Information Network. I'm Bob Larson in this
as your agribusiness update. US Representative Dan Newhouse of Washington
is not pleased with the announcepiring of John Weiss, executive
director of the Washington State Armed Service Agency. New House
says John has dedicated his career to helping farmers in
Washington State. New House says Weiss's firing is a mistake
and a disservice to farmers who need a strong leader

(31:10):
at the FSA, especially now when times are tough. Weiss
was first appointed in twenty nineteen during the first Trump administration.
HOUSEAGG Committee Chair G. T. Thompson and other AG officials
released a statement recently on how continued Democrat obstruction in
reopening the federal government has for the first time caused
full Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program benefits to lapse. They say

(31:32):
Republicans voted to keep the federal government open and fully
fund nutrition benefits. Had Senate Democrats joined US, full SNAP
benefits would have continued. Instead, they voted fourteen times to
let families go without. The American Farm Bureau Federation and
the American Soybean Association both welcome news of China's renewed
commitment to import US AGG products. Farm Bureau presidents, if

(31:52):
you'd have all, says they're encouraged by China's plan to
buy more soybeans and sorghum, noting trade disputes have already
burdened farmers facing high costs low prices. ASA president Darryl
Keats called the announcement a positive step for soybean growers
who have endured years of global uncertainty.

Speaker 26 (32:08):
Increasing your almond yield can seem like a tough nut
to crack, but it doesn't have to be. Protect your
crop with Maravon funga side and bloom for added resiliency
against frost, long lasting, broad spectrum disease control, and proven
yield results. See that wouldn't tough at all. Maravon fungicide
number one in bloom for all the right reasons. I
always read and follow label directions.

Speaker 21 (32:29):
For over forty years, the ag Information Network has been
providing news and information for the most important industry in
the world, agriculture. The Egg Information Network gives you worldwide
updates from local producers to regional organizations, from major crops
like wheat and corn, to animal agriculture to specially crops
like apples, almonds, and cherries. We report on stories that

(32:50):
mean the most to you online at aginfo dot net.
The Egg Information Network trusted and transparent journalism lasting for
the next generation.

Speaker 7 (32:58):
From the Egg Information netw work.

Speaker 28 (33:00):
I'm Bob Larson.

Speaker 7 (33:01):
With today's agribusiness.

Speaker 1 (33:02):
Update, BOMPQ went back to wrap up Bagluye for today,
Friends Well Friends. Cold weather, dairy cows and parasites can
combine to make trouble for producers. Chad Smith has our
wrap up report.

Speaker 6 (33:12):
Cold weather creates ideal conditions for external parasites to ramp
up their troublesome activity on dairy operations to combat discomfort,
hair loss, reduced efficiency and overall herd performance challenges. Doctor
Jennifer Roberts, a professional services veterinarian with Berenger Ingelheim, shares
practical tips for keeping your cows in top shape so as.

Speaker 29 (33:35):
We move into the winter season, the key external parasites
that dairy producers really need to be on the lookout
for are lice and nangemite lice that we worry about.
There's biting lice and sucking life. So the biting life
tend to feed on debris, skin hair and secretions that
are on the skin surface, whereas those sucking lis can
attached to the cow and actually feed on blood. The

(33:58):
mange mites typically will live around the tailhead and the
hind quarters. The one that we'll see most often, particularly
in dairy cattle, is cooreoptic mange, and we also see
sarcoptic mange that can be a bit more severe, but
it's far less common than choreoptic.

Speaker 6 (34:14):
She talks about which external parasites dairy producers should keep
in mind this season.

Speaker 29 (34:19):
Life and mange can really impact the bottom line when
we look at cow comfort and how these external parasites
can really impact the comfort of that animal because they
cause such intense itching. It can directly impact milk production,
animal immunity, and overall production within a herd because when
these cows are so uncomfortable, they're not going to be

(34:41):
spending as much time lying down, ruminating and making milk.

Speaker 6 (34:45):
How do producers go about monitoring for external parasites.

Speaker 29 (34:49):
Monitoring for external parasites usually includes looking for external signs,
but we may not always see those. If there are
external clinical signs that are vis we may see a
rough hair colt, we may see reduction in milk yields,
and those cows may exhibit some scratching or rubbing on

(35:10):
posts or gates or other areas of the environment, and
so we may see some patchy hair loss waiting for
the external parasites to show clinical signs. That is usually
too late. Really, what we want to do is try
to apply appropriate anti parasitics prior to the onset of
clinical signs.

Speaker 6 (35:30):
She talks about some of the best practices in creating
a parasite control plan.

Speaker 29 (35:34):
Some farms will prefer to treat the whole herd once
a year, while some will treat animals at certain stages
of production, such as dry off or freshening. Since our
parasite populations will often peak in January and February, timing
the product application in the fall in between Thanksgiving and
Christmas is going to be ideal because then we're applying

(35:57):
those anti parasitics prior to it' an external parasite infestation
becoming so severe that we're seeing clinical signs.

Speaker 6 (36:05):
But really it's.

Speaker 29 (36:06):
Important to consult with the herd veterinarian to determine the
best approach for each herd. You know, if we're going
to spend money on a phoron d warmer, we really
want to get the most out of our money. We
want to get that return on investment, and so paying
attention to how the product is administered is really going
to be key.

Speaker 6 (36:23):
She also says to secure the animals in a headlock
or shoot, use their way to calculate the proper dosage,
and apply the product with an applicator gun. Along the
midline again, Doctor Jennifer Roberts is with Behringer Ingelheim Chad
Smith reporting.

Speaker 1 (36:39):
With that friends about a time for today, thanks for
joining us. Back tomorrow morning with another edition A Bad
Life