AFBF Responds To Milk Marketing Reform Proposals
American Farm Bureau Federation President Zippy Duvall commented today on USDA’s proposed amendments to all 11 Federal Milk Marketing Orders. AFBF has been calling for FMMO reform since 2021 and convened a successful first-of-its-kind industry-wide forum in 2022.
“We appreciate that USDA held this hearing, recognizing some of our concerns related to milk pricing. We are pleased with the intent to return the Class I skim milk price to the ‘higher-of’ formula as we called for. That said, we’re disappointed in changes that will benefit processors without regard for producers at a time when dairy farmers are struggling and many have gone out of business. USDA missed opportunities to improve and update price formulas.”
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Cost Of Summer Cookout Reaches Record High
Families celebrating the 4th of July holiday will continue to find stubbornly high prices at the grocery store. An Independence Day cookout will cost $71.22 for 10 guests this year, based on the 2024 American Farm Bureau Federation annual marketbasket survey.
The grocery bill is up 5% from 2023, and almost 30% from just five years ago. A $7.12 per-person cost represents a record high since AFBF began the survey in 2013. The cookout favorites include cheeseburgers, chicken breasts, pork chops, homemade potato salad, strawberries and ice cream, among other products.
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Challenges in Farming: Mental Health Struggles Among Farmers
Farming is a vital occupation that helps to ensure fresh produce on our tables, but at the same time comes with immense pressures that often go unnoticed.
According to the American Farm Bureau, farmers are 2.5 times more likely to die by suicide than the national average.
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AFBF Appreciates Packers and Stockyards Act Updates
American Farm Bureau Federation President Zippy Duvall commented today on USDA’s release of the Fair and Competitive Livestock and Poultry Markets proposed rule, intended to improve fairness and competition in the livestock, meat and poultry sectors. This is the fourth rule issued by USDA to address fairness and competitiveness in livestock markets under the Packers and Stockyards Act.
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U.S. Headed For Record Ag Trade Deficit
After decades of substantial U.S. agricultural trade surpluses, the U.S. is forecast to experience a record trade deficit for the second year in a row. American Farm Bureau Federation economists analyzed the factors contributing to the deficit in their latest Market Intel report.
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Farm Bureau Appreciates Farm Bill Progress in Senate
American Farm Bureau Federation President Zippy Duvall commented on Senator John Boozman’s release of a farm bill outline in the Senate Agriculture Committee.
“Farm Bureau appreciates Senator Boozman’s release of an outline for a new, modernized farm bill that increases investments in the farm safety net and advances voluntary conservation efforts. His plan, combined with Senator Stabenow’s previously released outline, brings into better focus each party’s vision for this important legislation.”
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Sustainability: Myths vs. Facts
The story of the newly married couple and their dream of continuing the family farming legacy is a tale of determination and resilience in the face of challenges. With a deep-rooted belief in living off the land and improving it for future generations, they encountered obstacles such as limited land availability and the need to manage it for multiple family members. That couple is us. This is our story.
Soil is the foundation of productive, sustainable agriculture. Over 20 years ago, we implemented no-till practices to help improve the soil and reduce our fuel costs.
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USDA Takes Step Toward Fairness for Poultry Farmers
American Farm Bureau Federation President Zippy Duvall commented today on USDA’s proposed rule to make changes to the poultry tournament system.
“Farm Bureau appreciates USDA’s work to bring more transparency to the poultry industry. AFBF has long advocated for changes to ensure poultry farmers who contract with processing companies are treated fairly, and we’re glad to see many of our concerns addressed in the new rule.”
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AFBF Calls For House Agriculture Committee Passage Of Farm Bill
American Farm Bureau Federation President Zippy Duvall commented today on the House Agriculture Committee’s Farm, Food, and National Security Act.
“AFBF appreciates Chairman G.T. Thompson for his work in drafting a modernized farm bill, which we support. The Farm, Food, and National Security Act recognizes the challenges and opportunities facing America’s farmers and ranchers.
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AFBF Appreciates Release of House Farm Bill Text
American Farm Bureau Federation President Zippy Duvall commented today on the release of a farm bill draft in the House Agriculture Committee.
“AFBF appreciates the work of Chairman Thompson and the entire House Agriculture Committee for its work in drafting a new, modernized farm bill.
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Togetherall Brings Mental Health Awareness and Support to Agriculture
Throughout the years I have seen our agriculture community come together during times of need. Wildfires, floods, droughts, tornadoes and hurricanes, for example, all bring the appropriate awareness from news headlines but what about the mental health crisis affecting the people in our industry? The chronic, sometimes daily struggles of farmers and ranchers, whether financial, family, weather, economic, or regulatory in nature all play a role in our daily lives. Often, we are left to absorb the hardships alone.
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Farm Bureau Eager for Farm Bill to Progress
American Farm Bureau Federation President Zippy Duvall commented today on the House and Senate Agriculture committees releasing title-by-title overviews of the 2024 farm bill.
“AFBF appreciates the House and Senate Agriculture committees’ progress to enact a new, modernized farm bill this year. We’re encouraged to see both proposals acknowledge that programs farmers and ranchers across the country use require additional investment in the face of falling commodity prices and increased inflation.”
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Nominations Open for 2025 Farm Bureau Farm Dog of the Year Contest
Farmers are invited to submit nominations for the 2025 Farm Bureau Farm Dog of the Year contest, which comes with cash prizes and bragging rights. This is the seventh year of the contest, supported by Nestlé Purina PetCare, which celebrates farm dogs and the many ways they support farmers and ranchers.
The grand prize winner – Farm Bureau Farm Dog of the Year – will win a year’s worth of Purina Pro Plan dog food and $5,000 in prize money. The winner will be recognized at a Farm Dog of the Year award ceremony at the American Farm Bureau Convention in San Antonio, in January 2025.
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AFBF To USDA: Restore NASS Surveys
The American Farm Bureau Federation today urged USDA to reverse its decision to cancel livestock and crop surveys that are crucial to the success of America’s farmers and ranchers. The National Agricultural Statistics Service (NASS) recently announced it would no longer provide a July cattle inventory survey, as well as county-level estimates for crops and livestock and the objective yield survey for cotton.
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Agriculture Emissions Fall To Lowest Levels in 10 Years
America’s farmers and ranchers are leading the way in greenhouse gas emission reduction through voluntary conservation efforts and market-based incentives. The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) released the Inventory of U.S. Greenhouse Gas Emissions and Sinks: 1990-2022. The report shows American agriculture reduced emissions by almost 2% from 2021 to 2022, the largest decrease of any economic sector.
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