AgNet News Hour

AgNet News Hour, Friday, 02-07-25

In this episode of the AgNet News Hour, hosts Sabrina Halvorson and Lorrie Boyer discuss the recent Senate Agriculture Committee hearing titled 'Perspectives from the Field, Farmer and Rancher Views on the Agricultural Economy Part One.' Key witnesses included American Farm Bureau President Zippy Duvall and National Farmers Union President Rob LaRue, who testified on the urgent need for a modernized farm bill and the widespread challenges faced by farmers and ranchers, such as rising input costs, access to operating loans, and the necessity of crop insurance. The episode also highlights the lack of representation for fruit and vegetable specialty crops in the hearing and delves into the critical importance of supporting young and new farmers to sustain the agricultural industry.

AgNet News Hour, Thursday, 02-06-25

In this episode of the AgNet News Hour, Sabrina Halvorson and Lorrie Boyer discuss the increasing electricity demands across the U.S., driven by advancements and the growing adoption of electric vehicles (EVs). They highlight the challenges of meeting this demand with the current electric grid infrastructure and contemplate the significant energy draw from millions of EVs, especially with ambitious goals to go fully electric by 2030. The conversation also touches upon alternative energy sources like natural gas and nuclear energy, and the necessity of urgent action to upgrade infrastructure. Additionally, the role of the Trump administration in addressing energy concerns is discussed.
We also have this week’s Almond Update.

AgNet News Hour, Wednesday, 02-05-25

In this episode of the AgNet News Hour, hosts Sabrina Halvorson and Lorrie Boyer dive into the latest advancements in agricultural technology. The discussion covers new developments in robotic pollinators, AI-driven hive monitoring systems, and autonomous harvesting equipment. They also explore the revolutionary technology of RanchBot for monitoring livestock water and feed levels. Throughout, the hosts emphasize how these innovations not only enhance efficiency and productivity but also open new job opportunities within the agriculture sector.
We also get the latest on crop needs from Valent USA.

AgNet News Hour, Tuesday, 02-04-25

In this episode of AgNet News Hour, hosts Sabrina Halvorson and Lorrie Boyer discuss the new tariffs imposed by President Trump on Canada, Mexico (now delayed until March), and China, and their potential impact on the agricultural sector. Featuring expert analysis from Fertilizer Market expert Josh Linville of StoneX, and reactions from various agricultural organizations, including the National Farmers Union, American Farm Bureau, and National Cattlemen's Beef Association, the discussion covers concerns around rising input costs, potential retaliatory tariffs, and the timeline challenges posed by the new tariffs. Additionally, an update on a new trade agreement between the USDA and Mexico regarding cattle imports is provided, offering a glimmer of hope for future negotiations.

AgNet News Hour, Monday, 02-03-25

In this episode of the AgNet News Hour, hosts Sabrina Halvorson and Lorrie Boyer discuss the recent confirmation hearings for significant cabinet positions in President Trump's administration, focusing on former representative Lee Zeldin as the head of the EPA. They delve into Zeldin's stance on oil, gas, and biofuels, and his anticipated regulatory rollbacks and their potential effects on agriculture. The episode also covers Howard Lutnick, the confirmed Commerce Secretary, and his comments on China's new AI technology, DeepSeek. The hosts explore DeepSeek's potential impact on agricultural markets and the pervasive concerns about data privacy and intellectual property theft. Throughout the conversation, they emphasize the interconnectedness of AI, commodity markets, and the agricultural sector's economic stability.

AgNet News Hour, Friday, 01-31-25

In this episode of the AgNet News Hour, hosts Sabrina Halvorson and Lorrie Boyer discuss the confirmation hearings for Brooke Rollins as the new Agriculture Secretary. The session includes a review of her stance on trade policies, particularly regarding the agricultural trade deficit and food inflation, her responses to concerns about immigration and the impact of mass deportations on the agricultural workforce, and her non-committal but thoughtful approach to handling the SNAP program. Additionally, the episode touches on the imbalance in trade aid distribution during previous administrations, especially concerning California's specialty crops, and briefly delves into the contentious Proposition 12 in California regarding humane hog production standards. The discussions highlight the complexities and challenges in U.S. agriculture policy and the priorities of the coming administration.

AgNet News Hour, Thursday, 01-30-25

In this episode of the AgNet News Hour, hosts Sabrina Halvorson and Lorrie Boyer discuss a new case of the H5N9 bird flu found in a commercial duck farm in Merced County, California. They explore how this strain differs from the more common H5N1 strain and the implications of these mutations on poultry and egg prices. The discussion includes insights from veterinary experts on the virus's mutation patterns, the economic impact on the poultry industry, and how biosecurity measures play a crucial role in managing outbreaks. The hosts also touch on broader issues affecting agricultural supply chains, such as trucking shortages and regulatory challenges.

AgNet News Hour, Wednesday, 01-29-2025

In this episode of the AgNet News Hour, hosts Sabrina Halvorson and Lorrie Boyer discuss President Trump's recent order to pause federal grants and loans. They explore how this decision affects various agricultural programs, including USDA grants, rural development loans, and farmer's market promotions. They highlight the potential consequences for small farmers who rely on these programs. Additionally, they mention the elimination of DEI programs and its impact on underserved farming communities. Towards the end, the hosts touch on the appointment of former Agriculture Secretary Tom Vilsack as the CEO of the World Food Prize Foundation, a position focusing on global food security and sustainable agriculture.