AgNet News Hour

AgNet News Hour, Thursday, 02-20-25

In this episode of the AgNet News Hour, hosts Sabrina Halvorson and Lorrie Boyer discuss the rising popularity of organic products among Millennials and Gen Z consumers. They explore findings from a survey by the Organic Trade Association, which highlight the health benefits and growing support for organic foods among younger generations. The conversation delves into defining 'organic,' the certification process, and the challenges faced by organic farmers. Sabrina and Laurie also touch upon related topics such as GMOs, gluten-free products, and future trends in agricultural marketing.

AgNet News Hour, Wednesday, 02-19-25

In this episode of the AgNet News Hour, hosts Sabrina Halvorson and Lorrie Boyer discuss the increasing popularity of low and no alcohol wines. They share insights from an article in SevenFifty Daily, which reports on the advancements in the quality of these wines to meet growing consumer demand, particularly among younger generations who are reducing alcohol consumption for various reasons. The discussion then shifts to the current state of California's citrus industry, touching on factors like smaller fruit sizes due to a summer heat wave and the export market dynamics. They also delve into the ongoing challenges faced by Florida citrus growers, including hurricanes and citrus greening disease.

AgNet News Hour, Tuesday, 02-18-25

In this episode of the AgNet News Hour, hosts Sabrina Halvorson and Lorrie Boyer discuss the recent firings within the USDA under the Trump administration, impacting hundreds of probationary federal employees. They explore the implications of these terminations on agricultural services and the far-reaching ripple effects, including delays in Farm Service Agency and NRCS operations. They delve into the firing of key USDA researchers investigating the effects of wildfire smoke on crops, highlighting the loss of critical ongoing research and the potential long-term negative impacts on the agricultural sector.

AgNet News Hour, Monday, 02-17-25

In this episode of AgNet News Hour from AgNet West, Lorrie Boyer discusses the USDA's recent amendments to the federal milk marketing order with Roger Crayon, Chief Economist at the American Farm Bureau Federation. They delve into the detailed process and its significant impact on dairy farmers. The show also features a conversation with Julie Broadway, Executive Director of the American Horse Council, covering a wide range of current issues and trends in the equine industry, from tax matters to regulatory issues.
Additionally, Sabrina Halverson speaks with Katie Driver with UPL about a recent emergency exemption for a bactericide in almonds and interviews with various exhibitors from the World Ag Expo, highlighting technological innovations and efficiencies in agriculture.

AgNet News Hour, Friday, 02-14-25

On this episode of AgNet News Hour, Sabrina Halvorson and Lorrie Boyer delve into the topic of autonomous tractors in California. They discuss the state's plans to revisit a decades-old ban on driverless agricultural vehicles, highlighting the potential benefits and challenges of using such technology in farming. The hosts particularly focus on a recent AgAlert article by Caleb Hampton that outlines this regulation and updates from Cal OSHA. The conversation also touches on how such technology could transform agricultural labor and the importance of updating regulations to keep pace with technological advancements. Additionally, the show covers the proposed move of the U.S. International Food Assistance Program from USAID to the USDA, examining the implications for U.S. food aid and global diplomatic relations.

AgNet News Hour, Thursday, 02-13-25

In this episode, Sabrina Halvorson and Lorrie Boyer discuss the Farm Bill, emphasizing the importance of specialty crops. They highlight priorities set by the Specialty Crop Farm Bill Alliance, including expanding the fruit and vegetable snack program to all states, establishing a specialty crop research initiative, increasing state-level grants for specialty crops, enhancing trade assistance, and investing in prevention and mitigation programs for invasive pests and diseases. The discussion underscores the need for more funding and prioritization of agricultural research to stay competitive globally, particularly against countries like China. The episode wraps up with this week’s Almond Update and interviews from the World Ag Expo.

AgNet News Hour, Wednesday, 02-12-25

In the latest AgNet News Hour, Sabrina Halvorson and Lorrie Boyer discuss the pressing topics in agriculture, focusing on the impact of the federal funding freeze on farmers. They detail how the freeze, intended to cut organizational grants, is adversely affecting individual farmers by halting essential reimbursements. Real-life examples from farmers dealing with revoked grants and the resulting financial burden are shared. The hosts also touch on the ongoing challenges in the agriculture sector, including tariffs and the need for trade improvements. They further emphasize the mental and emotional toll these uncertainties are having on farmers, providing resources for mental health support. Additionally, they discuss the importance of media literacy and recognizing bias, especially for the agricultural community, as presented by Sabrina at the World Ag Expo.

AgNet News Hour, Tuesday, 02-11-25

In this episode of the AgNet News Hour, host Lorrie Boyer is joined by her 26-year-old son, Blake Boyer, to discuss various aspects of agriculture from a younger consumer's perspective. The conversation covers Blake's background in agriculture, although he doesn't work directly in the field. Topics include the importance of nutrition in food choices, perspectives on alternative protein sources, and challenges associated with veganism. They also discuss the implications of mass deportations on the agriculture industry, the rise of new technology like drones and electric vehicles, and how these innovations impact various sectors. The talk emphasizes the importance of different generations understanding the evolving agricultural landscape.