NPPC Critical of Dietary Guidelines and Dairy Production Down in February

The Agribusiness Update
The National Pork Producers Council expressed serious concerns about the 2025 Dietary Guidelines Advisory Committee’s so-called “scientific” report, and a slight drop in dairy production led to varied prices in February.

Honeybee Shortage and Farm Bankruptcies Climb

The Agribusiness Update
California almond orchards have turned snowy white, signaling the start of bloom, but beekeepers say there may not be enough honeybees to pollinate the 2025 crop, and Federal courts report that 216 farm bankruptcies were filed in 2024, up 55% from 2023.

GFB Commodity Advisory Committee and Farm Bankruptcies Climb

The Agribusiness Update
Members of Georgia Farm Bureau’s Commodity Advisory Committees met to discuss issues their respective commodities are facing and review crop and livestock policy, and Federal courts report that 216 farm bankruptcies were filed in 2024, up 55% from 2023.

California Lettuce Prices Surge and More Adults Eating Less Fruit

The Agribusiness Update
The cost to California’s lettuce growers complying with the state’s environmental, labor and food safety regulations has surged 63.7% the past seven years, and a growing number of U.S. adults consume less than a quarter of the fruit recommended in Federal dietary guidelines.

California Lettuce Prices Surge and More Adults Eating Less Fruit

The Agribusiness Update
The cost to California’s lettuce growers complying with the state’s environmental, labor and food safety regulations has surged 63.7% the past seven years, and a growing number of U.S. adults consume less than a quarter of the fruit recommended in Federal dietary guidelines.

Georgia Blueberries Top Peaches and More Adults Eating Less Fruit

The Agribusiness Update
When you consider Georgia fruits, peaches typically come to mind, but did you know blueberries comprise a larger portion of Georgia's fruit industry, and a growing number of U.S. adults consume less than a quarter of the fruit recommended in Federal dietary guidelines.

Dietary Update on Potatoes Pt 2

Washington State Farm Bureau Report
First, there were claims that potatoes weren’t vegetables. And now, advocacy groups want potatoes categorized with grains. But Beth Johnson, CEO of Food Directions and consultant for the National Potato Council, says neither is correct.

Dietary Update on Potatoes Pt 1

Washington State Farm Bureau Report
First, there were claims that potatoes weren’t vegetables. And now, advocacy groups want potatoes categorized with grains. But Beth Johnson, CEO of Food Directions and consultant for the National Potato Council, says neither is correct.

Science Behind Proposed Dietary Guidelines Questioned

Line on Agriculture
The proposed National Dietary Guidelines include changes in the protein category such as reducing red meat intake.

Oregon H5N1 Milk Testing and Wholesale-Retail Share of Food Dollar

The Agribusiness Update
The Oregon Department of Agriculture launched its milk testing and monitoring program to protect farmworkers and communities from H5N1 bird flu, and in 2023, 26.1 cents of every dollar spent on domestically produced food went to wholesale trade, at 11.4 cents, and retail trade, at 14.7 cents.

87th Annual GFB Convention and Wholesale-Retail Share of Food Dollar

The Agribusiness Update
Over 1,400 Georgia farmers and agribusiness leaders met on Jekyll Island last week for the 87th Annual Georgia Farm Bureau Convention, and in 2023, 26.1 cents of every dollar spent on domestically produced food went to wholesale trade, at 11.4 cents, and retail trade, at 14.7 cents.

NCBA Doubles Down on Dietary Guideline Distaste

Southeast Regional Ag News
A public comment period is now open regarding new dietary guidelines.

Beef and Dietary Guidelines

Washington State Farm Bureau Report
The National Cattlemen’s Beef Association is disappointed by some of the changes proposed by the 2025 Dietary Guidelines Advisory Committee.

Winter Weather Forecast for Cold and NCBA on Dietary Guidelines

The Agribusiness Update
Following a frigid start to December in the eastern U.S., AccuWeather long-range forecaster Paul Pastelok is calling for waves of colder air throughout the winter, and The National Cattlemen’s Beef Association is not happy with the questionable advice published in the Dietary Guidelines Advisory Committee’s latest report.

Georgia's AEWR Up 9% and NCBA on Dietary Guidelines

The Agribusiness Update
The U.S. Department of Labor announced Georgia’s Adverse Effect Wage Rate is expected to rise 9% to $16.08 per hour, an increase of $1.40, and the National Cattlemen’s Beef Association is not happy with the questionable advice published in the Dietary Guidelines Advisory Committee’s latest report.

Food Fight in Dietary Guidelines and GOP Governors Urge Farm Bill Passage

The Agribusiness Update
A major battle is brewing over how much red meat Americans should consume, as the U.S. prepares to update its Dietary

Guidelines for Americans, and Republican governors wrote Congress on the urgent need to update the 2018 Farm Bill.

Food Fight and Potatoes Pt 2

Washington State Farm Bureau Report
Instead of removing potatoes from the vegetable category, it appears recently proposed changes in the Dietary Guidelines for Americans are more focused on their starch content, which Kam Quarles, CEO of the National Potato Council says is still misguided.

Food Fight and Potatoes Pt 1

Washington State Farm Bureau Report
Instead of removing potatoes from the vegetable category, it appears recently proposed changes in the Dietary Guidelines for Americans are more focused on their starch content, which Kam Quarles, CEO of the National Potato Council says is still misguided.

More pulse crops

Idaho Ag Today
I talked with with the CEO of Columbia Grain International, Jeff Van Pevenage. explained and extolled the virtues of pulse crops.

USDA Specialty Crop Programs and AG Trade Trip to Morocco

The Agribusiness Update
Ag Secretary Tom Vilsack announced the creation of new programs to help farmers who grow fruits, vegetables, and nuts overcome market barriers, and Reps from 50 U.S. agribusinesses and trade groups and 14 state departments of agriculture will travel to Casablanca, Morocco, December 2-5.