September 26, 2025

Episode Transcript

Speaker 1 (00:00):
Good morning. You are listening to AGLFE. My name's Dwayne
Murley in for Bob Quinn this morning. We've got a
lot of farm news coming up, the return of.

Speaker 2 (00:10):
Laddia later this year. As USDA burologist Brad Rippy notes.

Speaker 3 (00:15):
Back on August fourteenth, the National Weather Service issued a
La Nina watch for the possibility, and we're looking at
about a sixty percent likelihood of this happening of La
Ninia forming sometime later this autumn or into the winter month.

Speaker 2 (00:29):
And while the forecast is for a week ad short
lived Ladidia if that comes to pass.

Speaker 3 (00:34):
If it does occur, it will be the fifth time
in the last six winters that we have seen either
La Nina or La Ninia like conditions across the central
and eastern Equatorial Pacific Ocean.

Speaker 2 (00:46):
So what are the potential impacts for our country if
Ladidia becomes established later this fall or winter.

Speaker 3 (00:53):
One of the impacts is to see drought tending to spread,
particularly in the western and southern part of the United States.

Speaker 2 (01:00):
Not news most of the extremely dry western US wants
to hear regarding a potential future weather forecast. You might
remember Brad Rippy mentioning earlier about Ladidia established or Ladidia
like conditions. Five of the past six winters.

Speaker 3 (01:17):
Going back to the winter of twenty twenty twenty one
and extending through the winter of twenty twenty two to
twenty three, we saw what we call a very rare
triple dip Linina, where we had La Nina for three
consecutive winters. In records going back to the mid twentieth century,
we have only seen that two other times. Then we
followed that a single year with El Nino that lasted

(01:39):
from twenty twenty three into twenty twenty four, and then
during the winter of twenty twenty four to twenty five,
we saw conditions that got very close to the scientific
threshold for defining linina.

Speaker 2 (01:50):
That triple dip Ladidia period to begin the decade continues
to impact sub western states.

Speaker 3 (01:56):
We're still trying to claw our way out of that
drought as we move through twenty twenty five. During that
triple dip Lininia, we saw a two and a half
year period from late twenty twenty into early twenty twenty
three where we saw more than forty percent of the
contiguous United States experiencing drought. You get that cool water,
it tends to cut off some of the tropical atmospheric

(02:17):
moisture from reaching the United States, and that is one
of the big reasons we tend to see increases in
drought coverage in the western and Southern United States during
La Nina. Meanwhile, then as we move into the Southern
United States, concerns there as we move on to the
winter months would be impact on rangeland pastures speed for cattle,
as well as the upcoming winter we crop. So certainly

(02:38):
Lininia does come with its set of risks for agriculture.

Speaker 2 (02:41):
Yet rip your reminds us it is only a La
Nina watch, not a fully developed Ladedia climate pattern.

Speaker 3 (02:48):
There is a likelihood of Linina formation, but certainly we
are nowhere near that point yet. We're just starting to
see some signs of things happening in Equatorial Pacific pointing
us in the direction of Lininia.

Speaker 2 (03:00):
Bane reporting for the US Department of Agriculture in Washington,
d C.

Speaker 4 (03:09):
This is the Agricultural Law and Tax Report, brought to
you by Helena ag Managencias and Nutrition with Koran Metra.
Visit Helenaagra dot com for more information. I'm Roger McGowen
about thirty five states allow some form of citizens arrest,
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if your state allows it, and you are sure that

(03:31):
you know the particular rules, should you make a citizen's arrest?
If you do, be careful and make sure to report
the arrest to the appropriate authority such as the police
department or sheriff's office, for example, as soon as possible.
Also be prepared to testify in court and provide evidence
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of the arrest. So you might be able to make

(03:52):
a citizen's arrest, But should you, that's your call. This
has been the Agricultural Law and Tax Report Roger McGowan.

Speaker 1 (04:04):
When you crush a sixty pound bushel of soybeans, the
standard calculation assume as you get eleven pounds of soybean oil,
forty four pounds of soybean meal, four pounds of holes,
and one pounds of waste. But when University of Illinois
economist Joe Janssen looked at the data, he found a
slightly different story. Those proportions aren't as fixed as one

(04:25):
might think, he says, and the difference is reshaping the
nature of soybean demand.

Speaker 5 (04:30):
Let's start with our key finding.

Speaker 6 (04:32):
We straights in soybean processing have declined by forty four
percent since the nineteen sixties. We're talking about going from
two point seven percent waste down to just one point
five percent today. Essentially, the industry figured out how to
extract a percentage point more value out of every single soybean.
This might seem small, but when you're processing billions of bushels,
these small improvements add up to significant gains.

Speaker 1 (04:55):
Here's the important part of that change. While waste was
going down, soybean oil oil extraction rates were going up.

Speaker 6 (05:02):
Not only were crushers ringing more output out of each bushel,
but the composition of that output was changing. Back in
the mid nineteen sixties, a typical bushel yielded at about eighteen
percent oil.

Speaker 5 (05:12):
Today it's nearly twenty percent.

Speaker 6 (05:14):
That means each bushel of soybeans produces about ten percent
more oil than it did sixty years ago. Importantly, the
gains in oil output were larger than the declineing waste,
So the composition of the crush was changing, so.

Speaker 1 (05:26):
Why does this matter now? Enter the renewable diesel boom.
Starting around twenty twenty, demand for soybean oil as a
bio fuel feedstock exploded, and if you're a soybean processor,
he would have liked to dial up oil production while
leaving meal production fixed. The problem, of course, is that
soybeans come and fix packages. You can't make oil without

(05:48):
making more meal. But the data since twenty twenty suggests
it is possible to extract more of the oil that
is already in the bean.

Speaker 6 (05:56):
Since twenty twenty, right when renewable diesel took off, soybean
oil extraction rates have been consistently above their sixty year
trend line. This suggests the market is adapting in real time.
The changes aren't huge. Changing the composition of the crush
is like turning an ocean liner. It doesn't occur instantaneously,

(06:16):
but there is some evidence of a response.

Speaker 1 (06:20):
It seems that the soybean industry might have a little
bit more flexibility than the standard board crush margin suggests
when market conditions change, processors can adapt by a tweaking
extraction and improve an efficiency. It's not instantaneous and it's
not unlimited, and according to Joe Jansen, it is happening.

Speaker 6 (06:40):
So what does this all mean. First, those standard industry
calculations about crush ratios, the one that assume exactly eighteen
point three percent oil content, might need updating. It seems
that the soybean industry might have a little bit more
flexibility than the standard board crush margin suggests. Last, this
has implications for farmers, food prices, and fuel markets.

Speaker 5 (07:02):
When processors can squeeze.

Speaker 6 (07:03):
More oil out of the same amount of soybeans, it
changes the economic equation.

Speaker 1 (07:07):
Again, that is University of Illinois economist Joe Jansen. McDonald's
has announced its plans to invest two hundred million dollars
over the next seven years to promote regenerative agriculture practices
on cattle ranches. According to the Associated Press, the investment
was its largest to date in support of regenerative agriculture

(07:28):
in the United States. McDonald's is also funded regenerative projects
on potato farms in Canada and Europe. Regenerative techniques seem
to conserve water, enhance soil health, and reduce the need
for synthetic chemicals and fertilizers on cattle ranches. Ranchers practicing
regenerative agriculture will cattle frequently and let the land recover

(07:49):
for weeks or months now That helps produce more grass
with deeper roots, which takes more carbon from the air
to help improve soil.

Speaker 7 (07:58):
Interest rates are falling, freight costs shifting, exports rule housing
is showing resilience, and dairy markets are softening more After this,
you're going to need meat.

Speaker 2 (08:09):
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to need our help with your water, your air, your food.

Speaker 5 (08:17):
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Speaker 8 (08:20):
You're going to need the next generation of leaders to
face the challenges the future will bring.

Speaker 2 (08:25):
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Speaker 7 (08:36):
In their first move of twenty twenty five, Federal Reserve
cut its benchmark lending rate by a quarter percentage point,
aiming to ease borrowing costs. While inflation remains stubborn, Farmers
may see slightly lower interest on operating loans and landnotes,
though high input costs continued a weigh. Lower transportation costs, though,

(08:58):
are helping corn and soybeanck sports move. USDA reporting Gulf
corn inspection surge forty three percent year over year. Pacific
Northwest volumes also climbing, but soybeing demand remains weaker, especially
without China in the market. Housing data showing rural areas
gaining share. While large metro single family construction fell nearly

(09:20):
four percent last quarter, rural micro counties grew almost two percent,
marking five straight quarters of gains. Multifamily construction also expanding
in smaller markets and in dairy, butter prices dropped to
their lowest since twenty twenty one, with cheese also slipping
on strong supply. Eggs are holding steady, but USDA confirmed

(09:45):
eight new bird flu cases. Milk output continued strong, up
three point four percent from last year. It's another agnews update.

Speaker 9 (09:54):
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 Prio and Mercedes Benz. Every detail has been
inspected and road tested by highly skilled Mercedes Benz technicians,

(10:15):
and it's all backed by an unlimited milage warranty for
up to five years, which makes the decision a boid
to buy one Simple You Authorized.

Speaker 7 (10:21):
Mercedes Benz Deals American Cattle News Brazil has become a
major exporterer beef to the US until now more after this.

Speaker 9 (10:33):
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 Prio and Mercedes Benz. Every detail has been
inspected and road tested by highly skilled Mercedes Benz technicians,

(10:54):
and it's all backed by an unlimited milage warranty for
up to five years, which makes the decision a boyd.

Speaker 5 (10:58):
The buy one simple You authorized for Saints ben.

Speaker 7 (11:01):
Steel, Brazil's been a major exporterer of beef to the US.
Kept BACKUS is with the National Cattleman's Beef Association. He explains, we.

Speaker 10 (11:11):
Raised these comments back in March when we submitted a
whole sweep of outstanding issues and recommendations to the US
Trade Representative's office. We know that that is something they've
been looking at very closely. We've had, you know, multiple
meetings with USDA as well, and then going back into
the Biden administration, we had numerous communications to Secretary of

(11:32):
Bilsack who chose not to take action on this. So
you know, this is something we repeatedly bring up. I
think the latest development with President Trump increasing the reciprocal
tariff from ten to fifty percent, I think that's a
very that's a very positive step forward. We think that,
you know, when you combine that fifty percent tariff with
the other tariff that Brazil faces for beef that puts

(11:55):
them at a seventy six point four percent tariff through
the rest of the year, we think that's a good start.
We think that, you know, ultimately to get Brazil to
to improve their behaviors into UH to gain that consumer
trust that is needed here in the US, and we
need to suspend their access. We need to have a
thorough audit and investigation process to improve our inspections and

(12:19):
make sure that you know that they are being held
to the same standards as everyone else. Clearly, there is
going to be a demand for beef in the United States.
We are going to fill the vast majority of that.
But any country that wants to participate here, any country
that wants to try to develop a presence in the
US market. They need to be held accountable without exception.

(12:41):
This is it's not a it's not a right to
sell in the US, it's a privilege and they need
to earn that.

Speaker 7 (12:47):
American Cattle News.

Speaker 1 (12:52):
This is Dairy Radio.

Speaker 11 (12:54):
Now it's time for our feed Forum Friday with doctor Mike,
Professor emeritus from the University of Illinois. Hello Mike, Welcome
to today's feet Form and our topic is going to
be interestingly bill and impact.

Speaker 12 (13:09):
A weight gain in late lactation dairy cows. And this
was written up by doctor Hernandez at the University of
Wisconsin in the July twenty twenty five Journal of Dairy Science.
The reason for this study is to answer the question
if cows gained weight in late lactation, what effects would
this have in the future of the next lactation of

(13:30):
the dairy cow. In this study at Wisconsin, they use
sixty six multiparisols team cows. These columns are one hundred
and fifty days in gestation and for our listeners, it
takes about two hundred and eighty days for the calf
to be born, so this study would run about one
hundred and thirty days. They looked at two different diets here.
One they call low energy diet which was zero point

(13:54):
six eight m counts per pound and dry matter, very
typical for a lower producing a group cows, and then
a high energy diet which would be zero point seven
nine mcalves per unit of dry matter. Here to give
our listeners a feel, the low energy diet would contain
about twenty percent starch and four point three percent fat.

(14:15):
The high energy diet was twenty nine percent. It starts
with five point six percent fat in the die, very
typical of a high group type diet as well. Once
the animals were dried off at sixty days prior to calving,
they would get the same dry cow diet here, and
then after calving the same diet as well. So the
results are a pretty interesting bill. The high energy group

(14:36):
had a body condition score three point sixty nine, and
that's a very high number you'll see here in just
a minute, with forty four milimeters of backfat which they
actually measured. The low energy group had a body conditions
score with three point twenty five and that's just about ideal,
very optimal as far as that goes. And a backfat
thickness of thirty seven millimeters. As well, the low energy

(14:56):
groups increased dry matter intake in the dry period and
had more rumination time, so these cows were increasing and
they also found that in the last ten days before
calving and twenty one days after calving they also had
a higher dry matter intake, eating about four point five
pounds more kilogram in the urb lactation part. They also

(15:17):
found that the Dnova synthesis of fatty acids was lower
in the high energy ration. After these cows calved in
with the low energy diet at twenty percent Denova synthesis
and the high energy diet at eighteen percent. In the lactation. Interestingly, Bill,
there was no difference in a milk yield or milk performance. Metabolically,

(15:37):
those cows on high energy diet had a higher nephus
non astered fatty acids, which means they were losing more
weight and mobilizing body fat. No effect on calf weight
between the two diets at this point, and there was
an improvement in metabolic disorders for the low energy cows
slightly lower numbers and retained percenta three versus zero less

(15:57):
We tried as five versus one and five versus one
das comparing the high energy low energy as well and
use a probleen GUI call to treat ketosis and the
high energy DIECE thirteen treatments versus four for the loy
energy diets no difference in calling. So our take on
messages that certainly the last one hundred and thirty days
prior to the dry period is a very important time

(16:19):
to make sure Coyle's don't get excessive body weight body
distion scores should be three in a quarter. And certainly
we know that if we get too heavy heavy colls
called has more metabolic disorders. Well, that completes a program
for today. Thanks PEV, have a great day.

Speaker 11 (16:32):
Thanks Mike. That's doctor Mike Cutchens, Professor emeritus from the
University of Illinois, featured every Friday here on our feed
for on Friday on Dairy Radio Now.

Speaker 2 (16:40):
While domestic milk production is expected up in twenty twenty
five and the following year according to USDA so as
consumer demand as seed in forecast and exports, World Agricultural
Outlook Board Chair Mark Jackanowski.

Speaker 13 (16:54):
We still continue to see very strong export competitiveness for
US dairy product, a lot of strength in both butter
and cheese so fat basis exports, as well as non
fat drying milk and way so supporting those skim solid
basis exports.

Speaker 2 (17:10):
A slight rise in SKIBB solid imports for both years
is also forecasted. Minimal changes were reported in the milk
product egg class categories for this month. The result no
change in the twenty twenty five all milk price of
twenty two dollars per hundred weight at a one quarter
rise in the twenty twenty six all milk price forecast
to twenty one dollars ninety cents per hundred weight. I'm

(17:33):
Rod Bain, reporting for the US Department of Agriculture in Washington, DC.

Speaker 8 (17:40):
When it comes to pistachios, two things A complete protein
source and very nutritious. I'm Patrick Cavanaugh with the California
Tree Nut Report, part of the vastag Information Network. Zachary
Fraser is President and CEO of the American Pistachio Growers.

Speaker 14 (17:59):
It is is and you highlighted the bedrock of our
marketing platform, which is the nutrition aspect of it. Not
just that they taste good, although they are phenomenal, the
complete protein You highlighted the fiber components, the benefits your eyes,
your gut health, to free radicals. There's all sorts of
things that pistasos naturally take care of and are when

(18:19):
incorporated into a healthy lifestyle to make it even better.
And that I think over the last fifteen months, that's
something that I've really latched on to, is that anytime
you add the stashios to anything, it makes it better.
You know, whether you add it to desserts, it makes
the dessert better. If you added to fish, it makes
the fish better. If you add it to an existing
healthy lifestyle where you're focusing on putting good things in
your body and exercising, it makes it better. So that

(18:40):
nutrition message that your life is better with pistachios is
a significant foundation of our marketing platform, and what you
see in marketing activities around the world now highlights that.
And humans are getting better at understanding what we put
in our bodies and how that helps us feel, how
that helps form, how that helps us be happy. I
think pistaschios is a significant tool.

Speaker 8 (19:01):
On that Frossa that's Zachary Fraser, American pistachio growers.

Speaker 15 (19:05):
For the last forty years, the AG Information Network has
been the source of news for farmers and ranchers. Yet
we have never seen such an assault on farming and
our food supply as we do today, from fuel to fertilizer.
Farmers are facing unprecedented economic challenges. This is why agriculture
news that farmers receive comes from the AG Information Network,
reaching coast to coast, deep roots and farming. In decades

(19:29):
of reporting, the AGG Information Network trusted and transparent journalism
for generations. 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 their pickup truck or farm
equipment with the radio on, listening to this station for
the AG Information Network of the West News. So reach

(19:51):
real farmers right here, right now as they listen to
what's important 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 AG Information Network.
I'm Patrick Cavanaugh, I'm Dwayne Murley, and you're listening to
AG Live.

Speaker 2 (20:10):
Expanded coverage options and had support for beginning farmers and ranchers,
increased premium supports part of announced USDA improvements in the
federal crop insurance system.

Speaker 16 (20:23):
Not only that we are actually making these changes effective
on July first of twenty twenty five, because when the
crop insurance world, that is our fiscal year, that's our
reinsurance year, and it was important for US as we
were implementing this to make sure that we did not
cross over two different crop years.

Speaker 2 (20:39):
Risk Management Agency Administrator Pat Swanson also notes for the
typing of an acting the enhancements and improvements for both
producers ag crop insurance agents.

Speaker 16 (20:49):
When they're looking at their fall policies for maybe wheat
or some of the margin coverage option some of those products,
that we were able to get these changes announced so
that the companies can make those changes in their system
so that they can get the accurate quotes they need
to make good informed decisions on what they are looking
at for the fall.

Speaker 2 (21:07):
Breaking down the announced enhancements for beginning farmers and ranchers.

Speaker 16 (21:12):
In the past, for beginning farmers and ranchers with crop insurance,
they would be defined as the first five years of
being a farmer. We would provide them ten percent premium
support for the first five years. We are now able
to extend those benefits for ten years instead of five,
and the first four years we're going to give them

(21:32):
even a higher premium support.

Speaker 2 (21:34):
Improvements are also noted for crop insurance coverages.

Speaker 16 (21:38):
Every policies with the underlying revenue protection policy, they will
get an additional three to five percent of premium support.
And then we are also expanding the whole farm coverage
from eighty five percent to ninety percent now of coverage.
And then on one of our area plans called supplemental
coverage option, that also has been increased for eighty six

(21:59):
percent coverage up to a ninety percent coverage, So the
area plans will also have an additional fifteen percent of
premium support on the premium itself.

Speaker 2 (22:08):
As well as adjustments to enterprise ad whole unit coverage.

Speaker 16 (22:12):
We have additional premium support on optional units and basic
units which is when you keep each field separate when
it comes time to calculate the claims, and enterprise units
as well will also get an additional premium support.

Speaker 2 (22:27):
You're listening to ag Live farm topology in other words,
a further breakdown of USDA twenty twenty two setsus of
Agriculture data on farm types via a recently released report, the.

Speaker 17 (22:41):
Farm Topology really focuses more on what the farm or
farm household would receive from the enterprise the farm, not
just all the receipts that might come from the farm,
as value production does. It's another way of looking at
it to say what goes back to those households that
gain income or gross receipts from a farming operation.

Speaker 2 (23:00):
As National Agricultural Statistic Service Administrator Joseph Parsons explains, the
focus of the Farm Topology report is family farms. As
defined in the Census.

Speaker 17 (23:10):
Most farms in the United States are family farms. In fact,
most are small family farms.

Speaker 2 (23:15):
With ninety five percent of US farm operations listed as
family farms and small family farms those with a gross
cash farm income of less than three hundred and fifty
thousand dollars annually, constituting eighty five percent of our nation's
family farms.

Speaker 17 (23:31):
We categorize in this farm Topology to small, mid size, large,
and very large family farms, and the small further cut
into two pieces by low sales moderate sales. Most farms
in the United States are small and have low sales,
so very quite small.

Speaker 2 (23:46):
Among the data categories within NASA's Farm Topology Report, what
farm size category produces most of what commodity.

Speaker 17 (23:55):
The smallest farms, they tend to be cattle operations, calcaf operations,
and they tend to grow hay.

Speaker 14 (24:00):
Part of your lifestyle.

Speaker 17 (24:01):
Maybe you have a small herd of cattle and a
field or two of hay. The largest categories are grains
and oil seeds for the moderate sales, the mid size
and the large category. And then when we get to
the very large family farms, there's much higher proportion of
those in specially crops. And then also in dairies. We've
seen a concentration of dairies becoming larger on average, and

(24:21):
many of those are very large family farms.

Speaker 2 (24:24):
Also, demographics of family farms.

Speaker 17 (24:27):
Small family farm producers tend to be more likely, for example,
to served in the military, and also to work off
the farm and to be a new and beginning farmer.
Producers on small farms tend to be somewhat more likely
to be female than mid size or large scale farmers.
Small farmers tend to be a little more likely to
be sixty five years or older, so in some cases
this may be a lifestyle part of one's retirement for example.

Speaker 2 (24:49):
I'm Rod Bain, reporting for the US Department of Agriculture
in Washington, d C.

Speaker 1 (24:55):
You've been listening to AG Life. Thanks for being with us. Today.

Speaker 18 (25:00):
It's time for California agg Today on the AG Information Network.
I am Haley's ship. A new technology out of UC
Davis could help California growers tackle one of the toughest
challenges in greenhouse farming, keeping crops cool without wasting water
or power. Engineers there have developed a multi layer cool
cover film that reflects heat producing infrared lights while still

(25:23):
leading through the sunlight that plants need for photosynthesis. Greenhouses
are already known for boosting yields, but in hot regions
like the Central Valley, they can easily overheat. Traditional cooling
methods rely on fans or evaporative systems that guzzle electricity
and water. Shade cloths help with heat, but they also
block the very light that crops need to thrive. The

(25:44):
new film, built from layers of zinc oxide, calcium fluoride,
and silver, was designed using advanced simulations. Tests suggest it
can cut near infrared heat by nearly ninety percent while
still allowing more than half of the photosynthetically active radiation
through models show that in places like Fresno, this could
slash water and energy use with only a slight dip

(26:06):
in yields. As the researchers put it, the tradeoff of
water and power savings against yield is critical to consider.
Next up, the team is working with Lawrence Berkeley National
Lab to produce a version of the coating, and a
provisional patent has already been filed.

Speaker 19 (26:21):
Farm work is tough, and so is staying safe on
a road. Every year, accidents happen when tractors and traffic
share the same space, whether you're behind the wheel of
a tractor or a car.

Speaker 2 (26:31):
Here's what you need to remember.

Speaker 19 (26:32):
Tractors move slower, be patient, don't pass on hills or curves. Farmers,
make sure your slow moving vehicles, signs and lights are
visible and everyone's sailor, especially on rule roads. One moment
a caution can save a life. Let's work together to
keep our roads and our farms safe. This message was
brought to you by the AG Information Network.

Speaker 15 (26:51):
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

(27:12):
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.

Speaker 18 (27:19):
You with California AGG today on the AG Information Network.
I am Haley's ship.

Speaker 1 (27:25):
For the fourth year in a row. Parallel forty four
Vineyard and Winery in Wisconsin was awarded Winery of the
Year at the twenty twenty five International Cold Climate Wine
Competition held in Minnesota. Steve Johnson co owner of Parallel
forty four, so, let's say prestigious award.

Speaker 20 (27:43):
It is the premier competition for those who are growing
grapes and making wine for those grapes that are deally
situated for our climate. So the participating winers are basically
the northern tier of the United States and into Canada.
And we were grateful for the fact that we got
this award for the fourth year in the row. I
guess what's gratifying is that we're on the right track
impressing these twenty one judges as to the quality of

(28:06):
wine that can be consistently produced here.

Speaker 1 (28:09):
He says he would like to see more wineries pop
up in the region.

Speaker 20 (28:13):
I think you have to work collaboratively, especially in a
new region, to figure out what is the best way
to grow and make a product. And so I want
to actually see more vineyards and more wineries develop in
this area because now we have an official American but
a cultural area which is nationally recognized as a distinctive
wine quality region. And so it's a lot of work

(28:33):
to establish a vineyard. It's about ten thousand dollars an
acre to establish, but the upside of it is that
it is a very profitable commodity for the next thirty years.

Speaker 1 (28:44):
He encourages those that want to get into small farming
to consider a vineyard and winery.

Speaker 20 (28:50):
Would be a great way to preserve the land for
farming at a scale that is actually doable for a
smaller family as opposed to a larger entity. So the
reality is is great growing and why making as much
farming as raising dairy cattle, and it really requires skill
and perseverance, just like any other farming endeavor. So if
you're committed to that and are willing to wait four

(29:14):
years for that first harvest.

Speaker 3 (29:16):
You can do it.

Speaker 20 (29:17):
It's just a matter of being open to learning new
things and actually working together. I think would help elevate
this industry a little bit faster here again.

Speaker 1 (29:25):
That is Steve Johnson, one of the co owners of
Parallel forty four. The National School Lunch and Breakfast Programs
play an important role in promoting the consumption of healthy foods,
including dairy, but school meal rules and effects since twenty
twelve only allow one percent and fat free milk options.
Mike Davis reports of BILLBI four Congress could provide school

(29:48):
kids with nutrition and choice.

Speaker 21 (29:51):
Mikayla Hanselman, director of regulatory Affairs with the National Milk
Producers Federation, says the Whole Milk for Healthy Kids Act,
currently before Congress would give kids even more choices for
the nutrition they need.

Speaker 22 (30:05):
Knowing that home milk and two percent are the most
popular varieties kids are consuming at home, the recent science
shows that there's really no difference in health outcomes when
kids adults are consuming higher fat varieties of milk. Home
Milk for Healthy Kids was brought about so this act
would allow schools to serve whole milk or reduced fat

(30:26):
milk in schools in addition to one percent and fat free.
And it doesn't mean schools have to serve whole milk,
It just gives them the option to do that.

Speaker 21 (30:34):
Hanseltan says flavored milk has long been a popular choice
in schools and provides the same essential nutrients as unflavored milk.

Speaker 22 (30:42):
Flavored milk is a really important option in schools as well,
because some kids just prefer a flavored milk to an
unflavored and that way they're still getting those thirteen essential nutrients.

Speaker 21 (30:52):
She says. The NMPF is hopeful the Whole Milk for
Healthy Kids Act will become law this year.

Speaker 22 (30:58):
It has traditionally always been a very bipartisan bill continues
to be a very bipartisan mill. We have support on
both sides. A cleared the state a committee through voice
quote with no issue, so we are very hopeful that
it will get done this year. So keeping our fingers crossed.

Speaker 23 (31:17):
From the Egg Information Network, this is your agribusiness update.

Speaker 2 (31:20):
Well.

Speaker 23 (31:20):
McDonald's plans to invest two hundred million dollars over the
next seven years to promote regenerative agriculture practices on cattle ranches.
Associated Press reports the Chicago Burger Giant says the investment
is its largest to date in the US. McDonald's chief
supply chain officer says our Pinia says has a brand
that serves more than ninety percent of Americans every year.
We recognize the responsibility we have to help safeguard our

(31:43):
food system for long term vitality. LAG Secretary Brook Rawlins
tills the Financial Times the Trump administration is planning to
use tariff revenue to fund a program that supports US
farmers as they head into harvest facing falling export sales
and rising input costs. Rawlin says the move follows mounting
pressure from farm groups after China curved purchases of US soybeans,

(32:04):
as tariffs have pushed up costs for fertilizer, machinery and
other imported goods. New polling conducted by a Mourning consoled
on behalf of the Renewable Fuels Association shows strong support
for legislation allowing the year round access to E fifteen,
a lower cost fuel blend containing fifteen percent ethanol. Agromarketing
dot Com reports the survey of nearly two thousand registered

(32:25):
voters also showed a record level of support for the
renewable Fuel standard. Voter support for increasing availability of E
fifteen blend is at its highest level seventy two percent,
since RFA began quarterly polling in twenty sixteen.

Speaker 19 (32:37):
Farm work is tough and so is stayed safe on road.
Every year, accidents happen when tractors and traffic share the
same space. Whether you're behind the wheel of a tractor
or a car, here's what you need to remember. Tractors
move slower, be patient, don't pass on hills or curves. Farmers,
make sure your slow moving vehicles, signs and lights are
visible and everyone's sailor, especially on rule roads, One moment

(33:00):
caution can save a life. Let's work together to keep
our roads and are firm safe. This message was brought
to you by the ag Information Network.

Speaker 15 (33:07):
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

(33:28):
mean the most to you online at aginfo dot net
The Egg Information Network. Trusted and transparent journalism lasting for
the next generation.

Speaker 23 (33:36):
From the Egg Information Network, I'm Bob Larson with today's
agribusiness update.

Speaker 2 (33:41):
Production forecasts from USDA have been released this month for
several crops, not just corn and soybeans and cotton. Anthony.
Preliment of the National Agricultural Statistics Service says for US
sugar crops, sugar beets and sugarcade, sugar.

Speaker 24 (33:55):
Beets production is worked as to be atensive a percent
compared with last month and up slightly twenty two fourth.
Looking at sugarcane, production is up one point three percent
from August and down slightly from last year.

Speaker 2 (34:05):
Regarding to California Crops said their production forecast.

Speaker 24 (34:08):
Naval orange production in California is expected to tote one
point six million tons or thirty million boxes this year.
That is up five point five percent from the previous season.
The Objective Measurement Survey indicated that fruit set was down
nine percent from last year, but the average fruit size
was up six percent in twenty twenty four for low nuts.
California is our only estimating state production in twenty twenty
five is forecast at seven hundred and ten thousand times.

(34:31):
That is up seventeen point seven percent in four fourth.

Speaker 25 (34:34):
Rural Minds is a nonprofit organization that was founded as
a result of a tragedy in my farming family.

Speaker 2 (34:42):
We advocate for the forty six.

Speaker 25 (34:45):
Million people that live in rural America who may be
struggling with mental illness and substance use disorder. Our vision
is to end the stigma, the suffering, and the silence
in rural areas.

Speaker 2 (35:00):
Learn more at ruralminds dot org. Mixed changes in USDA
meat production forecast for this year at next but World
Agricultural Outlook Board chair Mark Jacketowski says the result is
price forecast increases in September for both beef and pork
for both years at conversely lower broiler prices for twenty
twenty five. At twenty twenty six.

Speaker 13 (35:22):
Livestock prices remaining quite strong, especially for steers. Strong prices
for beef and cattle that is likely providing some support
to the hog sector as well. Hog prices we raised
fifty cents one hundred weight in both twenty twenty five
and twenty twenty six.

Speaker 2 (35:37):
The lower broiler price forecast for both years reflects increased production,
yet Jacketowski ads boiler prices remade strong.

Speaker 13 (35:44):
Turkey prices also seeing some recent strength.

Speaker 2 (35:46):
Particularly in twenty twenty five. US meat trade forecasts for
September were relatively light on changes, reflected mostly bodies reduction
in beefac sports.

Speaker 13 (35:57):
Our current steer price forecast for twenty twenty five I
visit two hundred and twenty eight dollars and fifty six
cents per hundred weight that was raised by a dollar
fifty per hundredweight this month, And for twenty twenty six,
we're looking at currently our forecast at two hundred and
forty eight dollars and fifty cents per hundred weight that
was raised five dollars per hundred weight this month, so
really strong price is unprecedented territory with regard to US

(36:20):
beef prices, beef demand and steer prices. Hog prices raised
in both twenty twenty five and twenty twenty six, So
for twenty twenty five calendar year, we're looking at prices
averaging about sixty nine dollars eighty two cents per hundred weight,
and for twenty twenty six expecting that to come down
a bit. Currently forecast sixty six dollars per hundred weight.

(36:42):
Broiler production has been increasing. We raised our boiler production
forecast this month is based on recent production and hatchery data,
up by about one hundred and sixty million pounds in
twenty twenty five and one hundred and fifty million pounds
in twenty twenty six, and boiler prices they continue to
be strong, although we did reduce our price forecast for

(37:02):
broilers by two and a half cents per pound for
twenty twenty five this month and by three and a
half cents per pound for twenty twenty six, just based
on that increased production, but still relatively strong. Broiler prices
for twenty twenty six, we're looking at about one hundred
and thirty one cents per pound. That would be up
two point three cents per pound year over year.

Speaker 1 (37:23):
You are listening to AG Live. My name's Dwayne Merley,
and thank you for being with us today.