Food supply chain struggles with labor shortages, Biden pledges lofty emission reduction goals at COP26.

Rachel Schutte, Content Producer

November 5, 2021

2 Min Read
Collage with corn harvest, capitol building and angus beef cattle

Missed some agricultural news this week? Here are seven stories to catch you up.

Trucker shortages plaque food supply chain

At a hearing on the Immediate Challenges to Our Nation’s Food Supply Chain, the shortage of truck drivers was the primary concern. The trucking industry is currently short 80,000 drivers, and nearly 1 million drivers will need to be hired and trained in the next decade to keep pace with consumer demand. – Farm Futures

Reducing methane emissions             

At the COP26 climate summit in Glasgow, the U.S. and EU pledged to slash emissions of methane by 30% below 2020 levels by 2030. The pledge offers little transparency or detail on how the 30% reduction is meant to be achieved. – Politico

Deere workers reject agreement

John Deere workers rejected the latest offer negotiated by UAW leaders, extending the strike that began Oct. 14. Deere & Co. said the new contract it provided to striking union employees is the company’s best and final offer, and they aren’t returning to the bargaining table. – Farm Futures

Meet prices climb higher

Meatpackers are struggling to recruit workers, even when offering signing bonuses. Some meat cuts have soared 25% over the past year, while others are fetching near record prices, making meat one of the biggest contributors to pandemic inflation. Prices are expected to keep increases through the holiday season. - Bloomberg

As-needed pesticide approach helps bees

A new study from Purdue shows farmers could benefit from more wild bees by adopting an as-needed approach to using pesticides. The as-needed approach led to a 95% reduction in pesticide applications while maintaining or increasing yield for corn and watermelon. – Purdue University

Bayer, CHS collaborate on carbon program

Bayer and CHS Inc. announced a carbon program collaboration on Nov. 2. The agreement makes Bayer Crop Science the carbon program partner for CHS and the most accessible carbon program for U.S. farmers. – Farm Futures

Farmers benefit from EU-U.S. deal

The U.S. and European Union agreed to suspend tariffs on steel and aluminum. The move will allow more reasonably priced steel back into the U.S. market. The agreement also reopens the door for U.S. ag exports impacted by retaliatory tariffs. – Farm Futures

And your bonus.

A soft goat’s cheese called Olavidia from Spain won top honors at the World Cheese Awards on Wednesday. The contest included 4079 entries from over 40 countries. - CNN

About the Author(s)

Rachel Schutte

Content Producer, Farm Futures

Rachel grew up in central Wisconsin and earned a B.S. in soil and crop science from the University of Wisconsin - Platteville. Before joining the Farm Futures team, Rachel spent time in the field as an agronomist before transitioning to the world of marketing and communications. She now resides in northeast Iowa where she enjoys raising bottle calves and farming corn and soybeans alongside her husband and his family.

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