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Farm News & Views

121 episodes - English - Latest episode: 2 days ago - ★★★★★ - 1 rating

Agriculture news from an alternative point of view

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Episodes

Farm News & Views for the week of March 25, 2024

March 26, 2024 14:00 - 4 minutes - 22.1 MB

The Bureau of Land Management announces a new draft plan to protect the greater sage grouse on sagebrush range lands in several Western states, the U.S. Senate passes a resolution to overturn the USDA’s rule that would allow Paraguayan fresh beef imports,

Farm News & Views for the week of March 18, 2024

March 19, 2024 16:23 - 4 minutes - 21.5 MB

Agricultural losses from the Smokehouse Creek Fire in the Oklahoma and Texas panhandles, the USDA finalizes the "Product of the U.S.A." labeling rule for meat, poultry, and eggs, researchers develop the first transgenic cow capable of producing human insulin, corn prices are expected to be down this year, and how a calf roping contestant made sure he didn't miss the rodeo.

Farm News & Views for the week of March 11, 2024

March 12, 2024 17:01 - 4 minutes - 22.1 MB

The impacts from the Smokehouse Fire on farmers and ranchers in Oklahoma and Texas, a new website offers help with livestock and pasture management for small acreage landowners, the Four Corners Region remains abnormally dry, and a recent study finds the pesticide chlormequat in an overwhelming majority of oat-based products.

Farm News & Views for the week of March 4, 2024

March 05, 2024 19:12 - 4 minutes - 21.2 MB

Wildfires in the panhandle of Texas and south central Oklahoma could impact beef supply, more concerns about getting a new Farm Bill passed in Congress, the EPA announces a new Office of Agriculture and Rural Affairs,and cases of canine respiratory disease in Colorado have dropped significantly.

Farm News & Views for the week of February 26, 2024

February 27, 2024 17:59 - 4 minutes - 22.2 MB

Cattle prices reach a record high, falling water levels in the Ogallala Aquifer create uncertainty for farmers and municipalities, and a strong El Nino weather pattern has kept winter temperatures warmer this year.

Farm News & Views for the week of February 19, 2024

February 20, 2024 17:55 - 4 minutes - 21.8 MB

The USDA releases the 2022 Ag Census, revealing that since 2017 the U.S. lost nearly 142,000 farms and more than 20.1 million acres of productive farmland, that just over 26,000 farms account for 50% of all sales for all products, and an overall continued rise in the average age of farmers.

Farm News & Views for the week of February 12, 2024

February 13, 2024 19:09 - 4 minutes - 22 MB

Problems with Dicamba herbicide leaves farmers caught in the middle, a new Farm Bill continues to languish in Congress, and a Livestock Workshop Series will offer local producers educational opportunities.

Farm News & Views for the week of February 5, 2024

February 06, 2024 19:06 - 4 minutes - 21.8 MB

Increasing resistance in weeds to common herbicides is impacting crop production in the U.S., and farmers may need to start paying closer attention to what’s happening in their fields and not depend on magic seeds or potions.

Farm News & Views for the week of January 29, 2024

January 30, 2024 16:33 - 4 minutes - 22 MB

Colorado Governor Jared Polis announces grants for development of the simultaneous use of land for solar energy production and agriculture, the Colorado Department of Agriculture is inviting agricultural producers to submit listings for this year’s Farm Fresh Directory, the latest Rural Mainstreet Index finds that farmland prices increased over the past month while borrowing costs have increased, and agricultural leaders express concerns about where the U.S farm economy may be headed.

Farm News & Views for the week of January 22, 2024

January 23, 2024 00:06 - 4 minutes - 21.6 MB

A new Farm Bill from Congress seems to still be a long way off, the Senate Agriculture Committee Chair outlines key farm bill programs, the American Farm Bureau Federation wants a new farm bill to address agriculture's labor challenges, John Deere partners with Elon Musk’s Starlink to provide satellite-based high-speed internet for its machines, and drought continues to hamper the number of ships that can traverse the Panama Canal.

Farm News & Views for the week of January 15, 2024

January 16, 2024 19:22 - 4 minutes - 21.9 MB

A group of senators is encouraging consideration of a farm bill that provides support for projects that address drought, the Colorado Master Irrigator Program kicks off on January 18th, cattle markets are starting 2024 in a much better position than they were a year ago, and meteorologists predict that we’ve likely reached the peak of the El Nino weather pattern this winter.

Farm News & Views for the week of January 8, 2024

January 09, 2024 18:00 - 4 minutes - 22 MB

Recent winter storms bring much-needed moisture to the Four Corners, environmental data show that December 2023 was the warmest December on record, and the ag economy was down in 2023 compared to 2022 (the worst since 2013) which could indicate the ag economy is heading into another farm debt crisis.

Farm News & Views for the week of January 1, 2024

January 02, 2024 18:27 - 4 minutes - 21.6 MB

Farm economists note that farm profits weakened in 2023, farmland prices remain strong, Avian Influenza continues to impact both domestic poultry and wild bird populations, and an alternative way to dispose of your live Christmas tree that serves local birds.

Farm News & Views for the week of December 25, 2023

December 26, 2023 20:18 - 4 minutes - 21.3 MB

The drought that affected much of the country in 2023 is still impacting the beef cattle herd, the U.S. House passes a bill that will allow whole, reduced fat and other milk varieties back into school cafeterias, and the average age of farmworkers in the Great Plains and upper Midwest is rising at a much faster rate than in the rest of the country.

Farm News & Views for the week of December 18, 2023

December 19, 2023 17:04 - 4 minutes - 22 MB

Food producers and retailers team up to fund sustainable agricultural practices, the 1976 Agricultural Foreign Investment Disclosure Act may get revised to address new concerns, a possible grey wolf sighting in northwest Colorado, and the USDA announces grants to help livestock producers implement solutions that balance benefits to land, livestock, and wildlife.

Farm News & Views for the week of December 11, 2023

December 11, 2023 20:57 - 4 minutes - 21.9 MB

Foreign ownership of U.S. agricultural land has been a popular target for state legislators his year, growing seasons are slowly shifting across the United States, agencies will collaborate to manage the reintroduction of gray wolves on Colorado’s Western Slope, and John Deere moves toward digitizing self-repair for its customers.

Farm News & Views for the week of December 4, 2023

December 05, 2023 17:03 - 4 minutes - 21.8 MB

Data from USDA’s Economic Research Service suggests that net farm income will drop sharply from last year, the Colorado Wolf Restoration Final Plan outlines release locations and constraints, major tractor manufacturers anticipate bringing smaller utility electric tractors to the market, and suggestions for bringing home a pest-free live Christmas tree this year.

Farm News & Views for the week of November 27, 2023

November 28, 2023 17:48 - 4 minutes - 22.1 MB

Pork producers make an attempt to overturn Proposition 12 in California, the U.S. Global Change Research Program releases it's most recent analysis of current trends in global climate change, and the Rural Mainstreet Index reports some concerning trends for the rural economy.

Farm News & Views for the week of November 20, 2023

November 21, 2023 17:21 - 4 minutes - 21.8 MB

A cost breakdown of the typical Thanksgiving meal, some tips on buying a turkey, comparing U.S. food prices to other countries, the Senate approves a one-year Farm Bill extension, and a supply chain problem with half-pint cardboard milk cartons.

Farm News & Views for the week of November 13, 2023

November 13, 2023 22:49 - 4 minutes - 21.9 MB

The USDA declares that 2023’s U.S. corn production was the largest on record, a billion-dollar wind and hail weather disaster hits the southern Plains, farmers remain optimistic despite concerns over input costs, and beef cattle continue to be big business in Colorado and across the country.

Farm News & Views for the week of November 6, 2023

November 06, 2023 23:08 - 4 minutes - 20.7 MB

Low Mississippi River and Panama Canal levels continue to impact grain shipments, food-at-home prices are up almost 2.5% compared with last October, and Congress continues to delay a new Farm Bill.

Farm News & Views for the week of October 23, 2023

October 25, 2023 04:04 - 3 minutes - 19.6 MB

How the Israel–Hamas conflict is affecting agriculture in the area, highly pathogenic avian influenza could cause an increase in turkey prices for Thanksgiving, butter prices hit a record high, and why converting farm equipment to electric power may not work.

Farm News & Views for the week of October 9, 2023

October 09, 2023 16:51 - 4 minutes - 20.5 MB

Arizona governor Katie Hobbs terminates state groundwater leases for a Saudi Arabian-owned farm, cow-calf producers in Colorado, Nebraska, South Dakota, and Texas will have the opportunity to sign up for a new insurance option, and cattle producers are seeing a tremendous uptrend in prices so far in 2023.

Farm News & Views for the week of October 2, 2023

October 03, 2023 13:17 - 3 minutes - 19.6 MB

A breakdown of the work yet to do for the 2023 Farm Bill, and some potential stumbling blocks that may be in store for the U.S. agricultural economy.

Farm News & Views for the week of September 25, 2023

September 25, 2023 17:05 - 3 minutes - 19.9 MB

Congress won’t pass a new farm bill prior to the expiration of the 2018 Farm Bill on September 30th, the USDA lowers its forecast for total milk production this year by 400 million pounds, and low water levels are affecting ship traffic through the Panama Canal.

Farm News & Views for the week of September 18, 2023

September 18, 2023 17:45 - 3 minutes - 19.9 MB

National Farm Safety Week runs from September 17th through the 23rd, rural areas suffer from a shortage of veterinarians, new research finds that yields for some organic crops are sometimes higher than conventionally produced crops, and a look at the chocolate candy cycle with diary cows.

Farm News & Views for the week of September 4, 2023

September 05, 2023 15:39 - 3 minutes - 19.8 MB

The USDA is projecting that net farm income will drop sharply in 2023, low water levels in the Mississippi River cause increase in barge shipping rates, and how livestock producers can adapt to a changing climate that may affect those who rely on pasture and rangeland plants.

Farm News & Views for week of August 28, 2023

August 28, 2023 19:04 - 3 minutes - 19.6 MB

The complexities of The Farm Bill, low water levels in the Mississippi River once again create concern for agricultural barge traffic, the world’s biggest agribusiness corporations record record profits in the face of widespread food poverty and starvation, and U.S. wheat exports are expected to decrease to levels not seen in over 50 years.

Farm News & Views for week of August 21, 2023

August 21, 2023 23:30 - 4 minutes - 20.2 MB

Fallow sugarcane plantation fields may have fueled the devastating fires in Maui, a California law that sets confinement standards for pigs and poultry gets push back amid calls for changes from animal advocates, the 2023 Farm Bill is languishing in Congress, and sales of plant-based meat alternatives are slipping.

Farm News & Views for week of August 14, 2023

August 15, 2023 20:59 - 3 minutes - 17.5 MB

Colorado passes a right-to-repair agricultural equipment law, how high inflation is affecting farmers and ranchers, and drought conditions continue to expand in the Four Corners Region and beyond.

Farm News & Views for week of August 7, 2023

August 07, 2023 19:29 - 4 minutes - 20.2 MB

The number of farmers markets in the U.S. has more then quadrupled since 1994, U.S. senators announce the creation of the Senate Veterinary Medicine Caucus, a new study suggests that the world could lose half of all farms within 80 years, and global food fraud raises questions about the authenticity of certain high priced food items.

Farm News & Views for week of July 31, 2023

July 31, 2023 22:20 - 4 minutes - 20.2 MB

A new cattle inventory report estimates the total inventory is down almost 3% from a year ago, the USDA announces that food price inflation for 2023 will be slightly lower than last year, the U.S. Senate votes to prohibit China, Russia, North Korea, and Iran from purchasing U.S. agricultural land and agricultural businesses, wolf reintroduction in western Colorado concerns neighboring states, and scientists express concerns about neonicotinoids’ environmental harm and effects on human health.

Farm News & Views for week of July 23, 2023

July 24, 2023 22:30 - 4 minutes - 20.2 MB

Drought conditions return in the Four Corners Region after weeks of hot, dry weather, beekeepers in the United States lost over 48% of their managed honey bee colonies over the past year, and how native bees and insects play an important role in floral diversity and promote better results for fruiting.

Farm News & Views for week of July 17, 2023

July 17, 2023 23:38 - 4 minutes - 20.2 MB

Farm and ranchers receive only a small portion of total food costs, agriculture may be one of the first industries to meet net-zero emissions goals, and how conservationists and ranchers are working together to save grassland bird populations.

Farm News & Views for week of July 3, 2023

July 03, 2023 22:59 - 4 minutes - 20.2 MB

Lab-grown meat's carbon footprint, hay harvest yields are looking good in the Four Corners, and breaking down the cost of a 4th of July cookout meal.

Farm News & Views for week of June 19, 2023

June 23, 2023 00:17 - 3 minutes - 19.6 MB

New York may become the first state in the country to ban the use of neonicotinoid-treated seeds, Congress takes steps to prevent China, Russia, North Korea, and Iran from buying U.S. farmland, drought conditions are affecting many farmers in the upper Midwest, and the Colorado Department of Agriculture begins its annual monitoring season for agricultural pests.

Farm News & Views for week of June 12, 2023

June 12, 2023 20:22 - 4 minutes - 20.2 MB

Record setting drought in the Texas Panhandle is creating challenges for farmers and ranchers there, grain like rice, corn, and wheat are supplying over 50% of the food calories consumed globally, cyber crime is a very real concern for U.S. agriculture, and the USDA reports that $100 million of farm income is lost annually in the U.S. due to soil erosion.

Farm News & Views - June 6, 2023

June 06, 2023 13:45 - 4 minutes - 20.2 MB

U.S. farm exports are set to decrease by 8% this year, climatologists are suggesting that the U.S. will see a shift from La Nina to El Nino conditions this summer, almost one-third of winter wheat acreage could be abandoned this year, prices for beef for grilling will be higher this summer, and a new business is using mini and micro burros to serve drinks at parties and other events.

Farm News & Views - May 30, 2023

May 30, 2023 13:45 - 4 minutes - 20.2 MB

Drought in the Southwest sees big improvement, farmland prices remain stagnant, and cattle producers are optimistic about building herds back after recent setbacks.

Farm News & Views - May 16, 2023

May 16, 2023 13:45 - 4 minutes - 20.2 MB

Farmers in the Great Plains may abandon 85% of their wheat acres, the shift of land from agricultural production to urban uses could impact future food security, and the U.S. Supreme Court rules that a California law banning the sale of pork from pigs that were raised in tightly confined spaces was lawful.

Farm News & Views - May 9, 2023

May 09, 2023 13:45 - 4 minutes - 20.2 MB

A breakdown of what appropriations will be included in the new Farm Bill, the USDA boosts farm loan relief for producers, and Colorado State University is selected to run one of 12 regional food business centers as part of a new U.S. Department of Agriculture program.

Farm News & Views - May 2, 2023

May 02, 2023 13:45 - 4 minutes - 20.2 MB

The Southwest is seeing an easing of drought conditions but parts of the country are still dry, farmers taking irrigation water from the Ogallala Aquifer may need a different approach, how the 1930s Dust Bowl affected soil conservation, and a look at the downside of avocado production.

Farm News & Views - April 25, 2023

April 25, 2023 13:45 - 4 minutes - 20.2 MB

New USDA grant funding is available for meat and poultry producers, Southwest Colorado Meat and Livestock Day scheduled on May 11th, the shifting landscape of farm sizes and subsidies, and solar "farms" innovate to better serve rural communities.

Farm News & Views - April 18, 2023

April 18, 2023 13:45 - 4 minutes - 20.2 MB

A new Colorado bill could make it easier for farmers to repair their own tractors and other equipment, an explosion and fire at a Texas dairy farm resulted in what may be the largest single-incident livestock death toll in the U.S., and the Secretary of Agriculture Agriculture warns meatpackers and other companies that they need to take steps to ensure that illegal child labor isn't being used in their operations.

Farm News & Views - April 11, 2023

April 11, 2023 13:45 - 4 minutes - 20.2 MB

The beginning of the 2023 water year is off to a good start, reservoirs in the southwest will see some filling but may still be below average this year, calving season has been rough due to cold and wet spring weather, farm bankruptcies are going down, and census data show that the nation’s rural population grew slightly last year.

Farm News & Views - April 4, 2023

April 04, 2023 16:30 - 4 minutes - 20.2 MB

The average length of a growing season in the United States is getting longer, a survey of young farmers finds that 93% have never used a USDA program, beef production is decreasing in 2023, changes to livestock grazing on public lands could be on the way, and Congress acts to ban Chinese ownership of U.S. farm ground.

Farm News & Views - March 21, 2023

March 21, 2023 15:50 - 4 minutes - 20.2 MB

Highly pathogenic avian influenza continues to affect poultry in the U.S., farmers, agriculture groups, and climate advocates ask Congress to do more to address climate change in the next farm bill, Brazil is set to export more corn than the United States in 2023, and ag products with labels stating “Product of the USA", are often misleading.

Farm News & Views - March 14, 2023

March 14, 2023 13:45 - 4 minutes - 20.2 MB

Bovine spongiform encephalopathy (BSE) in a Brazilian cow leads to concerns about a global outbreak and possible impacts on human health, Argentina's agriculture exports hit hard by the worst drought of the last four decades, and queen bees for colonies used to pollinate crops in the U.S. are in high demand.

Farm News & Views - March 7, 2023

March 07, 2023 14:45 - 3 minutes - 19.9 MB

Russa-Ukraine conflict may have long term consequences for agricultural production in the country, highly pathogenic avian influenza in wild birds could spread to chickens, and more precipitation may not be a good thing for the saguaro cactus in southern Arizona.

Farm News & Views - February 28, 2023

February 28, 2023 14:45 - 4 minutes - 20.2 MB

The USDA projects U.S. agricultural exports will decline while imports will increase, egg prices could fall dramatically this year if avian influenza stays in check, urban and agricultural interests bring up questions about Colorado River Basin water management, and a new USDA report shows that overall farmland is declining across the country while large farm consolidation is on the rise.