Photo credit: USDA Farming lends itself to spending a lot of time alone. Physically getting together with like-minded people is naturally more difficult in rural America with fewer people nearby, bigger distances to drive, and fewer meeting places. However, building community is important for mental health and continued learning. The internet has been changing the way farmers network and get information for years. Because of the COVID-19 pandemic, it’s played a critical role in keeping farmers connected to ag businesses and each other over the last year.
Industry Events Through 2020, many staple industry events were not held in person. Farm Science Review, USDA’s Ag Outlook Forum, and Farm Progress Show were moved online. The 2021 National Farm Machinery Show was cancelled all together.
Weather continues to impact markets and cattle movement
Jeff Swenson
Prepared and written by Jeff Swenson, DATCP Livestock and Meat Specialist. The Market Update draws information from several sources, including trade publications, radio broadcasts, agricultural news services, individuals involved in the industry as well as USDA NASS and AMS reports.
Weather continues to impact markets and cattle movement. Estimated harvest for the week ending February 13 was 611,000 head with expectations for a similar number this week. Harvest for the week ending February 6 was 653,000 head.
The North is just beginning to crawl out of the deep freeze as Texas and the Plains continue to deal with snow, ice and cold temperatures. Widespread power outages brought on by the weather and energy demand outpacing production is creating havoc in Texas. Rolling blackouts are not sparing packing plants there.
US to increase maize and soya bean area in 2021 farmersjournal.ie - get the latest breaking news, showbiz & celebrity photos, sport news & rumours, viral videos and top stories from farmersjournal.ie Daily Mail and Mail on Sunday newspapers.
Although many headlines focus on a declining farm income in 2021, the net farm income outlook is still well-above average and offers a positive story for 2021, says Carrie Litkowski, economist at USDA’s Economic Research Service of the USDA.
USDA currently expects net cash income to finish 2020 at $136.2 billion, but to fall to $128.3 billion in 2021. USDA expects net farm income, which includes the value of inventory changes, to decrease $9.8 billion (8.%1) to $111.4 billion in 2021. Despite this decline, 2021 net farm income would still be 21% above its 2000-19 average of $92.1 billion.
While speaking at the USDA Agricultural Outlook Forum on Feb. 19, Litkowski outlines that government payments are forecast to have more than doubled in 2020, to a record level of $46 billion. This increase was due in large part to supplemental and ad hoc disaster assistance payments to farmers for COVID-19 relief. In 2021 government payments are forecast to decline 45% in nominal dollars.