Nebraska Governor Condemns UN Food Strategy
Nebraska Governor Jim Pillen commended Nebraska Representative Mike Flood for introducing a resolution condemning the UN Food Strategy that was released at COP28. He says the strategy is bad for Nebraska and other agricultural states. “The UN’s
Italy Bans Sale of Lab-Grown Meat
Italy is the first country to ban cultivated meat, the kind grown in laboratory bioreactors from stem cells. Under a new law put into effect last month, lab-grown meat cannot be produced or marketed in Italy. The
USDA Accepting Applications for Climate Fellows
The U.S. Department of Agriculture announced it is hiring 40 Climate Change Fellows to help with the record number of applications seeking funding for clean energy projects. Farmers, ranchers, and rural small businesses are looking for the
USDA Ranks the World’s Largest Meat Customers
China has been the world’s largest meat importer since 2019. Despite recent reductions in imported meat volumes, the country remains in the top spot. In 2022, China imported 43 percent more than Japan, the second-largest meat importer
U.S. Hog Inventory Slightly Higher
As of December 1, there were 75 million hogs and pigs on U.S. farms, up slightly from December 2022 and down slightly from September 1, 2023. That’s according to the Quarterly Hogs and Pigs Report from the
New Members Lead AFB National Committees
Farm Bureau farmer and rancher members play an important role in their communities and the organization by serving at the local, state, and national levels. Several newly appointed volunteers will provide leadership beginning in 2024 as members
Midwest Crops Conference in January
The annual Midwest Crops Conference is scheduled for January 2024 in St. Joseph, Missouri. Formerly the “Certified Crops Advisor Conference,” the two-day event targets people looking for Continuing Education Units, including crop advisors, ag industry professionals, and
Tighter Margins Ahead in 2024
Despite a drop in key operating costs, Rabobank says contracted margins in 2023 will continue into the new year. Soybean farmers are likely to achieve good margins in the 2024 season, but corn farmers will feel their
USDA Launches Risk Management Workshops
USDA announced it will host more than a dozen in-person and virtual workshops this winter for producers to learn more about new and expanded livestock risk management products. The “Livestock Roadshow” will be hosted by the Risk
Lawmakers Want More Time on New Rule
The Congressional and Senate Chicken Caucuses sent letters to the USDA asking for a 180-day extension to the implementation period for the new Packers and Stockyards Act rule. The rule, titled “Transparency in Poultry Contracting and Tournaments,”