Midwest Farmers Embrace Precision Drone Technology for Crop Spraying
Farmers across the Midwest are rapidly adopting precision drone sprayers as a means to enhance efficiency and reduce both the cost of inputs and the reliance on commercial applicators. Danny Assman, a farmer situated in western Iowa near the Nebraska border, founded Iowa Aerial Applicators less than two years ago, initially to defray his own […]
Rising Interest Rates Impact Agricultural Investment Trends
The agricultural sector is witnessing a tempering in investment activities, influenced by a year-long increment in interest rates, despite the Federal Reserve’s decision to hold the current rates steady for the second successive month. Brian Briggeman of Kansas State University has noted a downturn in loan applications from farmers, a trend that is supported by […]
USDA Revises Meat Production Projections for 2023
The United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) has updated its projections for meat production in 2023, indicating an uptick in red meat production while forecasting a decrease in poultry. Beef production is now estimated to reach 26.976 billion pounds, an increase of 35 million pounds from the September forecast. This revision is based on anticipated […]
Watauga County’s Meat Processing Plant Project Moves Forward with Boone Council Approval
The initiative to establish a new meat processing facility in Watauga County, North Carolina, has made significant progress following the Boone Town Council’s approval of essential waste and water services for the site. This development is a key step in bringing the 2020 proposed project to fruition. The proposed facility, which will be subject to […]
Poarch Band of Creek Indians to Enhance Local Agriculture with New $15 Million Meat Processing Plant in Alabama
In Atmore, Alabama, the Poarch Band of Creek Indians has announced a significant investment in the local agriculture sector by constructing a new meat processing plant. The facility, representing a $15 million investment, is scheduled to open in spring 2024 and is expected to process approximately 125 cattle per week, thereby enhancing the region’s meat […]
Highly Pathogenic Avian Influenza (HPAI) Continues to Challenge US States
The United States is facing ongoing challenges with the spread of Highly Pathogenic Avian Influenza (HPAI), despite intensified biosecurity measures. The US Department of Agriculture (USDA), in conjunction with the Iowa Department of Agriculture and Land Stewardship, has reported a sixth outbreak in Iowa, marking the fourth occurrence within a span of 11 days. The […]
US Government Commits $4.1 Billion to Rural Revitalisation
The US administration has declared a significant investment of $4.1 billion to enhance rural communities. This funding is set to bolster internet services, infrastructure, and environmentally conscious farming practices. Of this investment, $1.4 billion is allocated to support agriculture that minimises environmental impact. An additional $900 million is dedicated to collaborative projects that promote sustainable […]
Advancements in Meat Packaging Enhance Freshness and Sustainability
The landscape of meat packaging is evolving, with vacuum and skin packaging gaining traction among consumers who prefer these methods for their meat purchases. According to the “Power of Meat 2023” report by FMI and the Foundation for Meat & Poultry Education & Research, there has been a shift from traditional foam tray overwrap to […]
USDA Report: U.S. Food Insecurity Rises in 2022
The USDA highlighted that in 2022, more U.S. households faced food insecurity than in 2021. While a majority of Americans were food secure, the increase in insecurity is concerning. According to USDA’s ERS: Agriculture Secretary, Tom Vilsack, commented on the findings. He pointed out that as the pandemic’s intensity reduced in 2022, food insecurity issues […]
HPAI Outbreaks Now Registered in 12 States Across the U.S.
The list of U.S. states reporting outbreaks of the highly pathogenic avian influenza (HPAI) has now expanded to include California, as per the recent figures from the USDA’s Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service (APHIS). A commercial facility in Merced County, California, witnessed the impact on roughly 31,600 turkeys. This incident brings the count of […]
