John Deere Strike Slows Ag and Food Prices Continue Upward Trend
From the Ag Information Network, I’m Bob Larson with your Agribusiness Update.
**Farmers are having difficulty accessing repair parts and some new tractors sales have been halted due to striking John Deere workers.
The strike, involving more than 10,000 workers at 14 John Deere plants, began on October 14, when workers rejected Deere’s union contract.
Among the plants is one in Grovetown, near Augusta.
A Farm Journal report says workers anticipate remaining on strike for the rest of the year.
www.gfb.org/media-and-publications/news.cms/2021/1150/john-deere-workers--strike-disrupting-some-farm-operations
**A Farm Progress report shows farmers need to keep an eye on their precision ag equipment, such as auto-guidance monitors and antennas, after a string of thefts.
While no one is sure, the report says it’s either a quick way to make some money, or the computer chip shortage is behind the thefts.
They recommend either locking everything up at night or unpluging precision equipment at night and storing it in a safe place.
**Food prices continue to rise, and consumers across the country are adjusting their shopping habits.
A Successful Farming report says overall, food prices were 4.6% higher in September than last year.
Beef prices were up 17%, and pork almost 13% higher than 2020. Eggs were up 12%.
The USDA’s Food Price Outlook is still projecting that higher food prices will ease a bit in 2022, with any future increases more in line with historical averages.
