There is a lot going on right now-- no only on our ranches and farms but in the world as a whole. Here's a roundup of five stories making news across the country.
1. Ukraine conflict and the supply chain
Russia and Ukraine: Russia struck Ukraine’s second largest city Tuesday. Heavy fighting continued and the tv tower in Kyiv was destroyed. It’s no secret markets have been rattled. Along with the fuel disruptions, the supply chain will also face disruptions just as planting time nears.
Farm Progress 365 will offer insights in a special LIVE online event at 1 p.m. Central time, today at 2 p.m. (March 2).
Sam Taylor, analyst-farm inputs, RaboResearch watches the farm inputs sector including fertilizer, crop protection, seed and the broader ag economy. He'll talk live with Willie Vogt, editorial director, Farm Progress about how the conflict is impacting supply. The conversation also offers a chance for viewers to ring in with their questions to get insight.
To join the conversation visit farmprogress365.com and register. If you've attended past Farm Progress 365 events you're already registered and can join the conversation at 1 p.m. Central time Wednesday (March 2).
2. A hotter planet means a hungrier planet—UN climate report
The report says heat stress will lower livestock numbers
According to a report by Reuters, the UN Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change finds that a nearly a third of the world’s crop fields and livestock rangeland will be unsuitable for food production by the end of this century, if climate-warming emissions aren’t heavily curbed.
Simulataneous crop failures in the world’s breadbaskets and livestock deaths from extreme heat are just a few of the disasters that may befall the world’s food system by 2050 as the planet warms. If this happens, it will mean higher prices and put an additional 80 million people at risk of hunger.
3. Washington Wildlife managers and new wolf-livestock rules
Washington wildlife managers are considering implementing new wolf-livestock rules. Per the proposal, which was announced last week, before the Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife could kill wolves that attacked livestock, agency staff would need to confirm that livestock owners had implemented appropriate nonlethal deterrents. The proposal would also create Chronic Conflict Zones within the state. These zones would have area-specific criteria for the use of nonlethal and lethal measures.
The proposed rules do not explicitly state which nonlethals are considered appropriate. That decision was intentional, WDFW wolf coordinator Julia Smith said. Chronic conflict zones would have more detailed conflict management plans, she said.
"It's intended to be the tried-and-trued stuff, but also leaving the door open to try new things if the livestock producer is open and amenable," Smith said. "We don't want to prescribe things broadly."
Ranchers use fladry (colored string tied to fence lines that flutters in the breeze), motion-activated lights, human presence and other techniques to keep wolves from cattle.
Both proposals are open to public comment through April 11.
4. Food prices rose by near-record levels in February, new data finds
The cost of food in supermarkets rose to record levels in February, according to new data.
Research by data analytics firm Kantar shows that prices of items including savory snacks, fresh beef and cat food increased by 4.3 per cent last month, with experts predicting that inflation will likely rise as the conflict in Ukraine continues.
Fraser McKevitt, head of retail and consumer insight at Kantar, said that apart from the beginning of the pandemic, when many supermarkets cut promotional deals to maintain stock levels, last month saw “the fastest rate of inflation” since September 2013.
“Added to this, ongoing supply chain pressures and the potential impact of the conflict in Ukraine are set to continue pushing up prices paid by consumers,” he said.
But not all costs rose, with the prices of bacon, beer, lager and spirits decreasing.
5. One in ten Americans say they don't eat meat, a growing share of the population
About 10% of Americans over the age of 18 consider themselves vegan or vegetarian as of January 2022.
That's the main finding of an online survey we administered to 930 Americans, selected to be representative of the U.S population in terms of gender, education, age and income. The margin of error is plus or minus 2%.
Based on the findings, which will be published in a forthcoming academic journal article, we believe that this group of people, numbering some 16.5 million, is evenly split between vegetarians and vegans.
And a bonus for this week. The Kentucky Farm Bureau Beef Expo takes over the Exposition Center this weekend. Friday and Saturday will hold breed shows. The breed sale on Saturday along with various junior shows and throughout the day.
