American Farm Bureau Federation President Zippy Duvall spoke recently with President Joe Biden to discuss several supply chain challenges farmers and ranchers are facing and the importance of final Congressional action on the Ocean Shipping Reform Act to address the backlog at our ports. “I had a good discussion with President Biden about several issues, including the importance of the Ocean Shipping Reform Act to America’s farmers and ranchers,” Duvall said. “He wholeheartedly agreed …
Supply-Chain Disruptions, Inflation and War Are Pushing Prices up on the Farm
By Frank Giles Just when the world took somewhat of a collective breath, hoping the COVID-19 pandemic might be easing, Russia invaded Ukraine. The conflict and the highest inflation rate in 40 years in the United States have focused attention on agriculture and food security. For farmers in Florida and around the world, the confluence of events has presented challenges …
USDA Announces Framework to Shore Up Food Supply Chain
WASHINGTON, June 1 – The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) announced details of a framework to transform the food system that will benefit Southeast specialty crop producers. The goals of USDA’s Food System Transformation framework include: Building a more resilient food supply chain that provides more and better market options for consumers and producers while reducing carbon pollution: The pandemic …
Supply-Chain Woes Continue for Specialty Crop Growers
By Frank Giles One of the many ripple effects of the COVID-19 pandemic has been significant supply-chain disruptions that have impacted the global economy. Agriculture has not been immune to these delays in shipping and availability of key tools growers need to produce crops. At the same time, prices are going up nearly across the board on products and inputs …
Industry Expert: Supply Chain Issues Could Linger into 2023
By Clint Thompson One industry expert fears the current supply chain shortage and spike in input costs could linger well into the 2022 season and beyond. Sam Taylor, executive director for Rabobank, a financial services company, encourages producers to plan ahead to avoid potentially not having certain inputs next season. “My fear is that (costs) could continue to increase. You …
What’s the Impact? Florida’s Food Supply Chain Industries Asked to Respond to COVID Survey
By: Kirsten Romaguera, 352-294-3313, kromaguera@ufl.edu A survey aimed to gauge impact of the coronavirus pandemic on the food supply chain will close on April 11. A research team from various institutions, including the University of Florida aims to assess the impact of the pandemic on food and agricultural systems and to develop strategies for coping with future crises. The project …
DHS, USDA Move to Protect American Farmers and Ensure Continued Flow of Food Supply
Department to Temporarily Amend Certain H-2A Requirements During COVID-19 National Emergency WASHINGTON, D.C. – The Department of Homeland Security, with the support of the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA), has announced a temporary final rule to change certain H-2A requirements to help U.S. agricultural employers avoid disruptions in lawful agricultural-related employment, protect the nation’s food supply chain and lessen impacts …
It Costs How Much? Thanksgiving Dinner Expenses Up 20%
Thanksgiving remains an important time for many Americans. The cost of the meal this year is also top of mind. American Farm Bureau Federation’s (AFBF) 37th annual survey provides a snapshot of the average cost of this season’s classic Thanksgiving feast for 10, which is $64.05 or less than $6.50 per person. This is a $10.74 or 20% increase from …
Cost of Thanksgiving Meal is Up Significantly
Spending time with family and friends at Thanksgiving remains important for many Americans, and this year the cost of the meal is also top of mind. American Farm Bureau Federation’s (AFBF) 37th annual survey provides a snapshot of the average cost of this year’s classic Thanksgiving feast for 10, which is $64.05 or less than $6.50 per person. This is …
Biden-Harris Administration Makes $500 Million Available to Increase American-Made Fertilizer Production
WASHINGTON, Sept. 27, 2022 – U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) Secretary Tom Vilsack announced on Tuesday that the Biden-Harris Administration is making $500 million in grants available to increase American-made fertilizer production to spur competition and combat price hikes on U.S. farmers caused by the war in Ukraine. “USDA believes in the growth of innovative, local businesses owned and shared …