AgNet News Hour

AgNet News Hour, Monday, 01-28-25

On today’s show Sabrina Halvorson and Lorrie Boyer discuss President Trump's recent executive order on California water, aimed at aiding the Central Valley agriculture despite its initial intent to address LA wildfires. The discussion reveals the complexities of old infrastructure, environmental regulations, and potential conflicts over federal vs. state control. Additionally, they explore the challenges of using ocean water for firefighting and evaluate the long-term effects on endangered species. The conversation touches on legal actions, FEMA's role in disaster relief, and the mixed reactions from different stakeholders. Later, the hosts address environmental and animal rights criticisms highlighted during the American Farm Bureau Federation's annual meeting, emphasizing the importance of educated discourse and industry accountability.

AgNet News Hour, Monday, 01-27-25

In this episode of the AgNet News Hour, hosts Sabrina Halvorson and Lorrie Boyer discuss Cargill's $32.5 million settlement in a class action lawsuit over turkey price fixing. The discussion covers the implications of price fixing in the turkey and broader poultry industries, including the involvement of multiple major companies such as Butterball, Hillshire Brands, Hormel, Kraft Foods, Jenny O Turkey, Purdue Farms, and Prestage Farms. The hosts delve into the intricacies of market transparency, the impact on independent growers, and the behind-the-scenes challenges faced by the poultry industry. The case, which started in 2019, underlines the complexity and length of litigation processes in agricultural sectors.
Katie Driver, the Technical Services Manager for UPL in Northern California, discusses the increasing issue of fungicide resistance in almonds. She outlines best practices for managing resistance, such as rotating fungicide groups and using multi-site fungicides. Katie highlights the importance of product stewardship and good cultural practices like proper irrigation, pruning, and sanitation. She introduces Axios 20SC, a new fungicide with a novel mode of action (group 52) that helps combat and prevent resistance in almonds. 

AgNet News Hour, Friday, 01-24-25

In today's episode of the AgNet News Hour, hosts Sabrina Halvorson and Lorrie Boyer discuss the reintroduction of the Foreign Adversary Risk Management Act (FARMS Act) by Senators Tommy Tuberville and John Fetterman. This bipartisan bill aims to scrutinize and manage foreign ownership of U.S. agricultural land, processing, packaging, and shipping chains to ensure food security and national security. Key points highlighted include past issues in North Dakota involving Chinese companies purchasing land near military bases and the role of the Secretary of Agriculture in the Committee on Foreign Investments. The conversation also touches on potential conflicts with private property rights and the broader implications of the bill on U.S. sovereignty and individual freedoms.
Dr. David Magana, a Senior Analyst at Rabobank, discussed the US potato market, noting that the 2022 crop was historically low due to drought and high input costs, leading to high prices. Production rebounded in 2023, causing prices to drop, and remained similar in 2024. Mexico surpassed Canada as the largest export market for US fresh potatoes, but potential tariffs could impact this. Jello potatoes and specialty varieties are growing, while the food service share declined to 53% in 2024. Imports, mainly from Canada, account for 10-15% of US consumption. Sustainability and efficiency are key for growers due to low spot prices. For 2025, steady supplies and similar prices are expected, despite potential macroeconomic challenges.
Cassie Reeser, Technical Service Manager for UPL, discusses early season diseases in almonds that growers should be vigilant about, including anthracnose, bacterial spot, brown rot, jacket rot, leaf blight, scab, and shot hole. 
We also report on the confirmation hearing for Brooke Rollins, President Trump’s pick for Agriculture Secretary.

AgNet News Hour, Thursday, 01-23-25

In this episode of the AgNet News Hour, hosts Sabrina Halvorson and Lorrie Boyer discuss recent developments in tariffs under the current administration, emphasizing the implications for agriculture. They also cover the bird flu's connection to cockfighting rings, highlighting a recent bust in Santa Barbara. The latter part of the episode delves into new federal immigration policies, the controversy surrounding ICE operations in schools and churches, and how these measures impact the agricultural workforce. The hosts discuss the logistical and legal complexities posed by these policies for state, county, and federal law enforcement.
Matt Simpson, CEO of Brazil Potash, discussed the company's mission to extract potash from one of the world's largest potash basins in Brazil, aiming to reduce Brazil's $130 per ton cost to $280 per ton for imported potash. Brazil Potash's project, located near Mato Grosso, could initially produce 2.4 million tons, meeting 15% of Brazil's needs, with potential expansion. The company completed a $30 million IPO in November and plans to use the funds for construction. Simpson emphasized the project's importance for global food security, given the volatility in potash prices and the geopolitical risks associated with current suppliers.
In this week’s Almond Update Michelle Penny, the food safety manager at Del Rio Nut Company, discusses the challenges California almond growers face. She highlights the importance of balancing chill hours, the impact of extreme weather, and the need for balanced supply and demand to ensure profitability and quality in almond farming. Michelle shares insights into the interconnected aspects of almond production and the consequences of prioritizing quantity over quality.
 

AgNet News Hour, Wednesday, 01-22-25

In this episode of the AgNet News Hour, hosts Sabrina Halvorson and Lorrie Boyer break down the first executive actions taken by President Donald Trump after his inauguration. They analyze the potential implications for agriculture, trade, and energy, covering key topics such as:
The impact of proposed trade tariffs on U.S. agriculture
Establishment of the External Revenue Service for tariff collection
Investigative approach toward trade policy
Immigration policies, including the national emergency declaration and military presence at the Mexico border
Potential changes to birthright citizenship laws
The renaming of the Gulf of Mexico and discussions on control of the Panama Canal
National energy emergency declaration and plans to maximize oil and gas production
The discontinuation of certain environmental justice grants and its effect on DEI policies
Year-round sales of E15 ethanol and the future of electric vehicles
Join Sabrina and Lorrie as they unpack these policy shifts and their potential long-term effects on the agriculture industry.

AgNet News Hour, Tuesday, 01-21-25

In this episode of the AgNet News Hour, hosts Sabrina Halvorson and Lorrie Boyer discuss Governor Newsom's recent executive order targeting ultra processed foods and food dyes. The conversation highlights how this order will affect school meals, aiming to promote healthier eating habits among students. They explore the prevalence of ultra-processed foods in high-income countries, their contribution to health issues, and the convenience that drives their consumption. The hosts debate the balance between personal freedom and government regulation in dietary choices, touching on the economic disparities in accessing healthy foods. They also emphasize the importance of educational programs and initiatives to foster healthier eating habits from a young age.
Lisa Ellis, Executive Director of the Illinois Grape Growers and Vintners Alliance, discussed the growth of the Illinois wine industry, which has expanded from seven wineries in 1992 to over 132 tasting rooms today. Despite this progress, the industry faces challenges such as a decline in vineyard acres and stringent self-distribution limits. The industry's economic impact includes over $9 billion and 60,000 jobs, with Chicago's tourism playing a significant role. Ellis emphasized the need for policy changes to support growth, including raising production and self-distribution caps and modernizing liquor laws. The organization also promotes lesser-known grape varietals and innovations like single-serve beverages to attract new consumers.
We also have an excerpt from the latest Voices of the Valley podcast.

AgNet News Hour, Monday, 01-20-25

In this episode of AgNet News Hour, hosts Sabrina Halvorson and Lorrie Boyer discuss the USDA's new interim rule for technical guidelines on climate-smart agriculture crops used as biofuel feedstocks. The discussion covers the 45Z clean fuel production credit, its implications, and its aim to promote sustainable farming practices such as no-till, strip-till, and cover crops to reduce carbon emissions. They also explore the introduction of sustainable aviation fuel (SAF) and the required infrastructure. Former Agriculture Secretary Tom Vilsack's comments on the rule and the newly introduced USDA calculator for feedstock producers are also featured.

AgNet News Hour, Friday, 01-17-25

In this episode of The AgNet News Hour, hosts Sabrina Halvorson and Lorrie Boyer reflect on the legacy of outgoing Agriculture Secretary Tom Vilsack. They share personal experiences of working with him and compare his leadership to that of former Secretary Sonny Perdue. The discussion highlights Vilsack’s key achievements, including rural development, poverty reduction, job growth, and record farm exports. The hosts also share their insights on working with other agriculture secretaries and discuss the expectations for the incoming leader.
Also in this episode:
The Growth of the Blueberry Industry – Kasey Cronquist, President of both the North American Blueberry Council and the US Highbush Blueberry Council, joins the show to discuss the expanding blueberry market. He highlights efforts to boost demand and consumption, the role of H2A workers in harvesting, and strategies for increasing export markets.
Honoring Veteran Farmers – The American Farm Bureau Federation (AFBF) is recognizing the dedication and resilience of veteran farmers with its first-ever Veteran Farmer Award of Excellence. Retired Army Col. Joe Ricker of Indiana is the inaugural recipient and will be honored at AFBF’s 2025 Convention in San Antonio. Listen to an exclusive interview with Ricker as he shares his journey in agriculture and his passion for farming.
Links & Resources:🔗 Learn more about the Veteran Farmer Award of Excellence🔗 Visit the North American Blueberry Council🔗 Get the latest ag news from AgNet West
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