Iani A. CHIHAIA’s Post

USDA Proposes to Regulate Chicken Tournament Systems The U.S. Department of Agriculture recently proposed a new rule to regulate, but not ban, the controversial “tournament system” that meatpackers use to pay chicken farmers. When a farmer signs a contract to raise chickens for a company like Tyson or Perdue, they aren’t guaranteed a set price per pound for the chicken they raise. Instead, their compensation changes with every flock based on how efficiently their birds (provided by the packer) convert feed (also provided by the packer) into pounds of flesh. Farmers with an above-average “feed conversion” receive a bonus, which is paid off the backs of other farmers whose pay is docked for falling below the average feed conversion. This zero-sum system stabilizes prices for meatpackers because, on net, they buy all their chicken for the tournament price average. But pay varies wildly for individual farmers. A USDA survey found that in 2020, the bottom 20% of farmers received just 5 cents per pound or less, while the top 20% received nearly 9 cents or more. #sustainability #foodsystems #poultry

It costs 63% less to produce lamb in New Zealand according to NFU (National Farmers' Union). Around 102,000 tonnes of sheep and goat meat can be imported into the UK tariff free, (any more and there is a 12% tariff) according to the New Zealand Meat Board (NZMB). We each eat 4.7 kg of lamb a year according to Wikipedia, the Free Encyclopedia So that's potentially enough tariff free cheaper meat to feed lamb to 21,000,000 people each year. Crowe UK Crowe Global

I was very humbled to be a part of about 40 pig farmers and fellow meat industry people on Capitol Hill this week for a fly-in. We were representing family farmers and a sector of the pork industry that oppose the EATS Act. The farmers were from all over the U.S. – PA, MN, MO, IA, IL and more. They are successful family farms in a big part due to the opportunity that Prop 12 and Q3 bring to the market. It’s created a niche in the industry that they’re able to compete in – no, thrive in! You see, otherwise it all comes down to price. It’s focused on efficiency at all costs. A place that’s almost impossible for most American Family Farms to compete. A consolidated few that requires large farms and large outputs – which is squeezing out most family farmers. The statistics are quite alarming. According to U.S.D.A National Agriculture Statistics Service, “Between 2002 and 2022, the proportion of hogs on smaller operations (with fewer than 2,000 hogs) declined from 25% to 5%. The proportion on larger operations (5,000 hogs or more) increased from 53% to 75%. The proportion on mid-sized operations decreased slightly from 23% to 20%.” Yet sales of hogs “increased 38% from 2017 to 2022.” Prop 12 and MQ3 have allowed American Family Farmers to thrive again. They found a niche. They invested real dollars to make changes on their farms. These are changes they believe in and are seeing the benefits from – not only financially but within their sows as well (lower mortality, less heat stress, higher conception rates and more). The farmers are more profitable. They have invested in raising pigs to Prop 12 standards, which has given them a new vein of market opportunity. And let’s not forget about the customer. We know that customers care about how the animals they eat are raised and that trend is not going away. And as Gen Zs, Gen Alphas and the gens beyond them become the main shoppers, that trend will become stronger. Something that stuck with me this week was a statement from a once conventional farmer who called gestation crates undefendable – and he’s right. So why the industry pushback on Prop 12? What is the fear there? Shouldn’t we instead be celebrating that some farmers are doing well – profitable for the first time in years? There’s been no chaos in the markets. Food security is not at risk. The Prop 12 farmers, processors, meat companies, retailers and restaurants have a supply chain that is working. There’s plenty of pork to go around. Let’s come together as an industry and oppose the EATS Act in any form. The train has left the station on Prop 12 - or should I say the sow has left her crate. Let’s move forward together as an industry.

Shop local, eat fresh! Explore this guide for farmers' markets in Cincinnati, Dayton, Northern Kentucky and Indiana. 🍎🌽🫑 #farmersmarkets #localproduce #agribusiness #shoplocal #eatclocal

When we first immigrated, my family spent 6 years farming in the Okanagan. We witnessed the decline of the family farm in BC and its impact on our lives. Purchasing our orchard from a Winfield pioneer, we heard tales of the fruit industry's glory days when BC Tree Fruits was the backbone. Sadly, surviving as a farmer has become increasingly challenging. We were forced to sell our land in November 2020 due to various setbacks, including a life-altering auto accident, the pandemic, and a significant crop loss, but we still long to farm the land. Our family's struggles reflect the harsh reality many farmers face. It's crucial for our country to rally behind our farmers. The current state of our food supply is fragile, with food insecurity rising. The dwindling support for farmers, coupled with the exodus of skilled growers, poses a threat to our food security. Now more than ever, farmers need our collective support. The fruit industry in the Okanagan needs assistance. By choosing local produce and backing our local farmers, we can make a significant impact on sustaining our agricultural community. Let's stand together to safeguard the future of farming in our region. #SupportLocalFarmers #FoodSecurity #AgricultureSustainability

One of the best things about NJ? The Jersey Fresh produce. Check out this guide for the best farmers market in your area. #AmeriHealthInsiders

Small and medium independent farmers face a significant challenge in monetizing their farm animals due to disrupted access to meat processing. But what can be done to solve this issue? One solution is to shift towards a plant-forward style of eating, embracing cuisines from cultures such as the Mediterranean and Asian countries that use much smaller amounts of meat. Buying local meats as they become available and more affordable is also a great option. In addition, lobbying city councils, county commissioners, and state representatives to open up licenses for facilities processing meat is crucial. According to Investigate Midwest, the creation of meat processing plants can create jobs, empower farmers, and provide access to healthy meat, as demonstrated by indigenous tribes reversing years of consolidation in the cattle industry. Let's work together to support independent farmers and create a sustainable food system. #supportlocalfarms #sustainablefoodsystem #plantforward #meatprocessing

🚜 Farmers and Buyers Unite! 🌱 Looking to sell your fresh farm produce or find locally grown food at unbeatable prices? 🌾 Join the SENCE Agric Marketplace today and get free access to market, a thriving network of buyers and sellers. Whether you’re a farmer struggling to find buyers or a consumer searching for fresh, locally grown produce, we’ve got you covered. From juicy fruits to organic veggies and everything in between, SENCE Agric is the place where connections are made and communities are nourished. 🍅🥕🥔 🌟 Why Choose SENCE Agric? • Free Access: No fees to join and start selling or buying. • Local & Fresh: All produce is sourced directly from local farmers. • Wide Variety: From fruits and vegetables to grains and poultry, we have it all. • Easy & Convenient: Connect with the right people from the comfort of your home. 🔗 Sign up now and be part of a community that values fresh, local, and sustainable produce. Let’s grow together and make fresh farm produce accessible to everyone! 🌍 Connect with us by sending us a DM now! #agriculture #farmersmarket #supportlocal #freshproduce #senceagric #farmtotable #sustainablefarming #buylocal #sellfresh #accesstomarket #marketplace #agric

🍼🚜 Striking a balance: Navigating Market Realities and Opportunities 🚜🍼 A fascinating article was published by Hoard's Dairyman Dairyman. As of September 2023, U.S. dairy farmers faced a stark market reality: a shortage of dairy replacements. This led to a significant shift in strategy, with farmers preserving their dairy cow numbers by reducing culling for 46 consecutive weeks. 💸 Market Forces at Play: The beef-on-dairy market is driving this shift, providing dairy farmers with a lucrative revenue stream as beef prices soar. NAAB statistics show that beef semen sales skyrocketed by 276% from 2017 to 2023, with 7.9 million units sold to dairy farmers. Today, there are 3-3.25 million beef-dairy crossbred animals in the U.S., significantly impacting dairy replacement inventories. 📉 The Impact: From January to July 2024 alone, 259,400 fewer cows were sent to slaughter, a trend that expands to 397,200 head when including data from late 2023. In the western U.S., early July figures show a 20-year low in culling volumes. 🔺 Economic Ripple Effects: The scarcity of dairy heifer replacements has pushed values over $3,000 at auctions, while week-old beef-on-dairy calves fetch $800-$1,000, double the price of purebred dairy bull calves. 🚀 Looking Ahead: With no signs of near-term reversal, dairy farmers are increasingly investing in gender-sorted dairy semen, which accounted for 54% of all dairy bull semen sales in 2023, up 5% from the previous year. 📊 In Summary: The convergence of these trends marks a pivotal moment for U.S. dairy farmers, balancing immediate market opportunities with the challenge of sustaining future dairy cow populations. 💡 Additional thought: As more countries close their live cattle exports, we can expect a growing global interest in US heifers. Will the price that foreign buyers are willing to pay compete with beef prices? #DairyIndustry #MarketTrends #Agriculture #BeefOnDairy #FarmingInnovations #DairyFarming #Agribusiness #Sustainability https://lnkd.in/e9RpzniU