And Another Thing
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Ag in the News: Groundhog Day
Groundhog Day, with its iconic Punxsutawney Phil and his shadow, is a beloved tradition with roots in ancient folklore. While Phil and his Southern counterpart, General Beauregard Lee, offer entertaining predictions, their accuracy is low. Modern farming relies on scientific data and technology, not groundhog shadows, to make informed decisions about planting and crop management. Though Groundhog Day holds little practical relevance for agriculture today, it serves as a charming reminder of our historical connection to nature and the anticipation of spring.
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Ag in the News: Foaling and Breeding
To maximize market value and optimize foal development, horse breeders often manipulate breeding cycles to achieve January births. This involves techniques like artificial lighting and hormone treatments to induce estrus in mares outside their natural breeding season. Breeders also carefully consider bloodlines to predict and enhance traits like speed, temperament, and athleticism in their foals.
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Ag in the News: Food Staple Inflation
Food staple inflation, the rising cost of essential foods like grains and vegetables, happens due to factors like extreme weather, population growth, and global conflicts. This reduces everyone's purchasing power, forcing families to make tough choices between food and other necessities. Additionally, businesses face increased operating costs. Ultimately, food staple inflation creates economic strain and a lower quality of life for everyone.
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Ag in the News: Christmas Tree Disposal
Discarded Christmas trees, rather than contributing to landfill waste, can be repurposed for various environmental benefits. Recycling programs transform trees into mulch, enriching soil and preventing erosion. Additionally, they can be used to create habitats for fish and wildlife or even serve as a food source for livestock like goats. By embracing these recycling initiatives, communities can reduce waste and promote ecological sustainability during the holiday season. -
Ag in the News: Christmas Tree Economics
The Christmas tree industry is a multi-faceted process that begins with planting seeds and culminates in the sale of millions of trees each year. It requires careful cultivation, harvesting, and transportation to bring these festive symbols to consumers. From seedling to living room, the journey of a Christmas tree can take up to a decade and involves overcoming challenges like low germination rates and ensuring healthy growth. This complex industry, with its varying prices and diverse consumer choices, generates over $1 billion in annual revenue. -
Ag in the News: Bird Flu Outbreak in Dairy Cattle
Avian flu, typically found in birds, spread to dairy cows in 2024, raising concerns about food safety and human health. The H5N1 strain, responsible for outbreaks in poultry and the culling of millions of birds, was detected in cows across 16 states. This led to decreased milk production in infected animals and the presence of the virus in raw milk. Although pasteurization effectively kills bacteria, its impact on the avian flu virus remains uncertain. Several human cases of H5N1 have been reported, mostly in individuals exposed to infected animals. While the risk to the general public is low, this situation emphasizes the importance of hygiene, farm sanitation, and proper milk handling throughout the supply chain to ensure safety. -
Ag in the News: Virtual Fencing for Cattle Grazing
Virtual fencing technology, originally used for household pets, is now being utilized in the livestock industry. Cattle wear collars with GPS trackers, speakers, and electric prongs. This allows farmers to monitor their herd's location, set virtual boundaries, and review grazing data remotely. Companies like Gallagher Animal Management™ offer products like the eShepherd™, a solar-powered collar that uses GPS to contain cattle within virtual fences. This technology is expected to evolve with smaller trackers, longer battery life, and more sophisticated software, further revolutionizing cattle management. -
Ag in the News: Less Dinner for your Thanksgiving Dollar?
The American Farm Bureau Federation's annual Thanksgiving dinner cost survey found that a meal for 10 people will cost $58.08 in 2024, down 5% from 2023. While the overall cost is decreasing, it's still higher than pre-pandemic levels. -
Ag in the News: Nebraska's Record-Breaking New Feedlot
A proposed 150,000-head feedlot in Haigler, Nebraska, by Canadian-owned Blackshirt Feeders, is generating both excitement and concern. While promising 120 new jobs and a $25 million annual economic boost, the project raises environmental questions. Concrete construction and manure-to-methane contracts aim to minimize waste and odor, but water usage from the Ogallala Aquifer remains a key concern, necessitating the shutdown of irrigation pivots. This project highlights the tensions between large-scale agriculture, environmental protection, and economic development in the region. -
Ag in the News: Rancher in Hot Water Over Hybrid Sheep
81-year-old Montana rancher, Arthur Schubarth, was sentenced to six months in prison and fined over $24,000 for violating the Lacey Act. Over eight years, Schubarth illegally imported Marco Polo sheep parts from Kyrgyzstan to create a hybrid sheep species for profit. This involved smuggling animal parts, illegal breeding, and the potential spread of Johne's disease, a fatal animal illness. -
Ag in the News: Breyers Lawsuit Over Misleading Labeling
A class action lawsuit was filed by the McKinley law firm against Unilever, the company who owns the popular ice cream brand, Breyers. The lawsuit said that Breyers was not using plant based vanilla in their ice cream. -
Ag in the News: Hurricane Milton Squeezes Florida Citrus Crops
Citrus production in Florida has been severely impacted by Hurricane Milton, compounding the challenges already posed by citrus greening and previous hurricanes. The storm caused significant damage to citrus farms, leading to expected crop losses of 50% and a further decrease in production. This will exacerbate the existing citrus shortage, driving up prices for consumers and increasing reliance on imports from other states and countries. The combined effects of greening and hurricanes will continue to impact the citrus industry for the foreseeable future.