The importance of market diversification for U.S. red meat exports was a key point of emphasis at the U.S. Meat Export Federation Spring Conference, that was held virtually last week.
Farmers in the Midwest and Plains are reaping a cash bonanza that’s dramatically improved their finances a year after the pandemic pummeled commodity markets.
Retail fresh produce sales totaled $5.4 billion in April, down 3.6% from 2020 but up 10.3% from 2019. Fresh fruit sales were up 1.5% and fresh vegetable sales were down 8.8%.
The USDA announced it has purchased more than $2.2 billion of meat, fruits, vegetables, specialty crops and dairy products in fiscal years 2019 and 2020.
The U.S. and Guatemala are working on a program to boost H-2A workers from that country, to stem what the Department of Homeland Security calls irregular migration patterns.
Austrian lawmakers banned glyphosate, the key chemical in Roundup. That’s a first in Europe and a fresh blow to Bayer AG, which has lost several lawsuits in the U.S..
The Renewable Fuel Standard has lowered gas prices by an average of 22 cents per gallon in recent years and saved the typical American household $250 annually.