US AGRICULTURE SUBSIDIES: FARM BILL, PASSED BY SENATE, AWAITS WHITE HOUSE SIGNATURE

FARM BILL, PASSED BY SENATE, AWAITS WHITE HOUSE SIGNATURE

Published February 4, 2014 in Food Product Design

Posted in News, Agriculture, US Department of Agriculture (USDA), Economics, Business, Financial Reports, Fruits / Vegetables, Crop, Regulatory, Grains / Pasta / Tuber, Corn, Nutrition

WASHINGTON—The five-year farm bill is headed to the White House after the U.S. Senate approved the legislation by a vote of 68 to 32. The House passed the bill last month.

The Senate Agriculture Committee hailed the farm bill as "the most significant reform of American agriculture policy in decades".

President Obama is expected to sign the nearly $1 trillion package.

"This bill provides certainty to America's farmers and ranchers, and contains a variety of commonsense reforms that my Administration has consistently called for, including reforming and eliminating direct farm subsidies and providing assistance for farmers when they need it most," the president said in a statement. "It will continue reducing our deficits without gutting the vital assistance programs millions of hardworking Americans count on to help put food on the table for their families. And it will support conservation of valuable lands, spur the development of renewable energy, and incentivize healthier nutrition for all Americans."

The legislation will end direct payments to farmers. Lawmakers said the payments were unfair because the agriculture industry received them whether they needed them or not.

Congress also addressed abuse and fraud in the gargantuan Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) and consolidated nearly 100 programs or authorizations.

"While no legislation is perfect, this bill is a strong investment in American agriculture and supports the continued global leadership of our farmers and ranchers," U.S. Department of Agriculture Secretary Tom Vilsack said in a statement.

Sen. Debbie Stabenow (D-Mich.), chairman of the Senate Agriculture Committee, noted the farm bill represents "one of the largest investments in land and water conservation we've made in many years."
According to the Organic Trade Association (OTA), the legislation give organic farmers access to the same agriculture research and promotion programs as conventional farmers. The legislation also provides increased funding for the National Organic Program to enforce organic standards, improve technology, negotiate international trade agreements and support organic research and data collection, the OTA said.

Commenting on the farm bill, American Farm Bureau Federation President Bob Stallman said, "We are particularly pleased with provisions … to provide risk management to fruit and vegetable farmers and to support livestock farmers during disasters."

The non-partisan Congressional Budget Office (CBO) said last month direct spending authorized by programs under the legislation would total $956 billion over 10 years, with nutrition programs eating up $756 billion. According to the Center on Budget and Policy Priorities, SNAP assists 47 million Americans each month.

The farm bill is said to make the first changes to SNAP since 1996. Some reforms including closing a loophole that artificially boosts benefit levels, establishing a 10-state pilot program to engage adults in mandatory work programs and verifying that food-stamp recipients are not receiving benefits in multiple states.

According to the CBO, the farm bill would yield savings of $14.3 billion in commodity programs and $8 billion in nutrition programs from 2014 through 2023.

Lawmakers maintain the legislation will actually reduce the deficit by $23 billion. But that only amounts to slightly more than 2% from farm bill spending, according to the National Sustainable Agriculture Coalition (NSAC).

Excluding nutrition, crop insurance accounts for 45% of farm bill spending, followed by conservation (28%), commodity programs (23%) and everything else (4%), NSAC stated today in a blog.

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AGRONOMICS: 30% OF GLOBAL CEREAL CROP YIELDS TO DECLINE, RESEARCHERS SAY

30% OF GLOBAL CEREAL CROP YIELDS TO DECLINE, RESEARCHERS SAY

Published December 31, 2013 in Food Product Design 

Posted in News, Science & Research, International, Agriculture, Crop, Cereal, Bakery / Cereal, Bakery,Rice, Wheat, Corn, Diet, Asian

LINCOLN, Neb.—About 30% of the major global cereal crops—rice, wheat and corn—may have reached their maximum possible yields in farmers' fields, according to new research published in the journalNature Communications.

Yields of these crops have recently decreased or plateaued. Future projections that would ensure global food security are typically based on a constant increase in yield, a trend that research now suggests may not be possible. As a result, projections of future yields have been optimistic—perhaps too much so.
University of Nebraska-Lincoln researchers studied past yield trends in countries with greatest cereal production to provide evidence against a projected scenario of continued linear crop yield increase. Estimates of future global food production have been based largely on projections of historical trends. Past trends, however, have been dominated by the rapid adoption of new technologies—some of which were one-time innovations—which allowed for an increase in crop production.

The research suggests that the rate of yield gain has recently decreased or stopped for one or more of the major cereals in many of the most intensively cropped areas of the world, including eastern Asia, Europe and the United States.

In China, for example, the increase in crop yields in wheat has remained constant, and rate of corn yield increase has decreased by 64% for the period 2010-2011 relative to the years 2002-2003 despite a large increase in investment in agricultural research and development, education and infrastructure for both crops. This suggests that return on these investments is steadily declining in terms of impact on raising crop yields.

The need to feed the growing population has long been a concern, and researchers are taking steps resolve the issue. In fact, prior research found increasing crop frequency could boost food supply.

Sources:

• University of Nebraska-Lincoln: UNL Research Raises Concerns About Future Global Crop Yield Projections

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NUTS AMONG TOP 10 SNACK FOODS

Published November 27, 2013 in Food Product Design

Posted in News, Market Research, Market Trends, Consumer Panels, Consumer Preference, Nuts, Nuts and Seeds, Healthy, Healthy Foods, Weight Management, Nutrition, Diet, Snack Foods, Convenience Foods, Proteins, Demographic, Natural, Breakfast, Satiety, Retail

CHICAGO—Nuts rank among the top 10 snack-oriented convenience foods for U.S. consumers motivated by health and weight needs, according to new market research from the NPD Group.

NPD's report, "Snacking in America," found nuts are eaten throughout the day by health- and weight-conscious consumers who want a nutritious, natural, better-for-you snack. Consumers who are motivated to choose nuts and other better-for-you snacks based on health and weight needs tend to be seniors, empty nesters, adult females and higher-income households. 

The consumption of nuts is not limited to the health- and weight-conscious. Seventy-seven percent of U.S. households have nuts or seeds on-hand and 19% of individuals eat nuts at least once in a 2-week period, research shows. Nuts are consumed primarily as an in-home snack but are often incorporated into morning, lunch and dinner meals. Nuts are also popular among consumers looking for a filling or quick grab-and-go snack.

“Whether to meet the needs of the health- and weight-conscious, or as an easy grab-and-go snack, nuts are a popular choice among snackers," said Darren Seifer, food and beverage industry analyst. “Food manufacturers and retailers have a variety of options and audiences for marketing nuts."

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CANADA TO IMPROVE THE YIELD, SUSTAINABILITY AND PROFITABILITY OF CANADIAN WHEAT

Canadian Wheat Alliance to Support R&D Projects to Develop New Wheat Varieties

The Government of Canada, the Government of Saskatchewan and the University of Saskatchewan today announced the creation of a new Canadian Wheat Alliance (CWA).  This initiative will co-ordinate research and development projects to improve the yield of Canadian wheat by reducing losses under extreme weather conditions such as drought, heat, cold and diseases.

“The Canadian Wheat Alliance will improve the quality of Canadian wheat, and enhance Canada’s competitive position in the growing world market,” said Federal Agriculture Minister Gerry Ritz, on behalf of Gary Goodyear, Minister of State (Science and Technology).  “The benefits of this Alliance will flow throughout the entire value chain, strengthening our producers’ bottom lines and our overall economy.”

The CWA will invest approximately $97 million over the first five years of this initiative to support research to improve the profitability of the Canadian wheat industry, advance the development of Canada’s wheat crops, and help ensure the global competitiveness of Canadian farmers.  The Alliance will also study ways to more efficiently use chemical fertilizers to help improve the environmental sustainability of Canadian wheat.

“Saskatchewan is a leader in agriculture research and production, and this initiative will help to grow our industry and entire provincial economy,” Saskatchewan Agriculture Minister Lyle Stewart said.  “Our government remains committed to agriculture and this research will help to increase wheat production, open up new opportunities to promote and market Saskatchewan wheat, and provide long-term benefits for our producers.”

“With renowned plant breeding expertise available in areas such as our Crop Development Centre, the University of Saskatchewan is a recognized leader in agricultural and food production research,” University of Saskatchewan President Dr. Ilene Busch-Vishniac said.  “Through this alliance, we will continue to work with our partners to further strengthen the knowledge and tools needed to improve wheat, a crop that brings nearly $4 billion to the farm gate in Canada.”

This important network combines the expertise of the National Research Council of Canada (NRC), Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada, the Government of Saskatchewan and the University of Saskatchewan.  The government of Canada will invest nearly $85 million in funding and in-kind contributions toward the Alliance.  The Government of Saskatchewan has committed an additional $10 million to support wheat research in the province over the next five years, of which $5 million is dedicated to support the CWA activities and leverage contributions from other stakeholders.  The CWA brings together federal, provincial and academic expertise and welcomes the engagement of both public and private sector organizations.

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Written by Bruce MacDonald, a 30 year veteran of the Agri-food industry, in "Social Media Marketing in Agri-Foods: Endless Profit and Painless Gain", Bruce applies his background and expertise in Agri-foods and social media to the latest trends, tools and methodologies needed to craft a successful on-line campaign. While the book focuses on the Agri-food market specifically, I believe that many of the points Bruce makes are equally applicable to most other industries.