Diesel Supply and High Prices Challenge Agriculture

By Frank Giles Diesel has been called the lifeblood of the U.S. economy. It fuels the farms that feed America and the trucks that deliver food across the nation. Diesel powers trains, ships and so much more, so it is little surprise recent spikes in prices and inventory concerns have the agriculture industry worried, along with many other sectors of …

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 Administration Urged to Increase Domestic Diesel Production 

American Farm Bureau Federation (AFBF) President Zippy Duvall sent a letter to President Biden on Friday, calling on the administration to bring more domestic supply online. It would reduce costs to all Americans. “Our nation’s food supply is driven by diesel,” President Duvall said in the letter. “Every input that arrives on our farms and ranches is transported by a diesel engine, whether …

Calls for Action on Fertilizer Supplies

The American Farm Bureau is calling on USDA to take steps to make sure American farmers continue to have access to crucial fertilizer supplies. The organization submitted comments on USDA’s “Request for Information on Access to Fertilizer.” AFBF says many factors are combining to create shortages and drive up fertilizer costs. AFBF President Zippy Duvall says America’s farmers are getting called on …

July 4th Cookout Prices Up by 17%

This year’s Independence Day cookouts will have consumers paying a lot more for their favorite backyard food fare. They will pay $69.68 for their summer cookout foods, including cheeseburgers, pork chops, chicken breasts, homemade potato salad, strawberries and ice cream, based on a new American Farm Bureau Federation (AFBF) marketbasket survey. The average cost of a summer cookout for 10 …

Duvall Discusses Supply Chain Disruptions with President Biden

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 …

Red Flags Go Up on Proposed Climate Disclosure Rule

The Security and Exchange Commission’s (SEC) proposed rule to require climate disclosures by public companies could severely impact family farms and ranches and intensify the already concerning rate of consolidation in agriculture. American Farm Bureau Federation (AFBF) economists discuss potential impacts of “The Enhancement and Standardization of Climate Related Disclosures for Investors” proposed rule in the latest Market Intel. The …

Florida Strawberry Farmer: Input Costs to go up 30% Next Year

By Clint Thompson A challenging year for Florida strawberry production is expected to worsen next season. Especially if the price of oil continues to spike amid the ongoing conflict in the Ukraine, growers are likely to experience extremely high input costs entering next year’s planting season. “Anything that has to do with transportation is going up. If transportation goes up …