Latest News From Retail Business

The Last Acre Act would help expand high-speed internet access across eligible farmland, ranchland and farm sites. At least 15% of farms and ranches have no access to the internet today. 

For the sixth time in the past seven months, the rural economy has posted signs of weakness. That’s according to the Rural Mainstreet Index (RMI) from Creighton University.

An October report by FMI and Hartman Group confirms that consumers are adjusting holiday grocery shopping habits to mitigate inflation.

 The companies say their pricing structures and practices were within the law. 

For a fifth straight month, the rural economy has posted signs of trouble. That’s according to the Rural Mainstreet Index (RMI) from Creighton University.

The Purdue University/CME Group Ag Economy Barometer farmer sentiment index rose 14 points in August to a reading of 117.

U.S. Labor Secretary Marty Walsh remained optimistic about contract negotiations between workers and shipping companies for some of the country’s most important ports, even as talks extend past a previous deadline.

For the first time since September 2020, the rural economy is showing signs of weakness.

The consensus ahead of the FOMC report is a jump of 0.5 percentage points, says Chip Flory, host of AgriTalk. But what should the Fed actually do?

The White House is considering waiving U.S. gasoline environmental rules aimed at reducing summertime smog, hoping the waiver will combat rising pump prices, Reuters reported.

U.S. diesel prices are the highest ever, with warnings of shortages, especially in the eastern U.S., and the most intensive part of the farming season is still ahead.

A little bit better is a little bit better, said Ted Matthews, director of Minnesota Rural Mental Health. Matthews dispels myths about mental health, counseling and anxiety on the farm.

The global economy is facing numerous headwinds and tailwinds. Many of the forces at play will impact your farm.

Think back to a time when your back was against the wall. To others, it may have looked like all hope was lost. Many would have given up, but you didn’t. You pressed on, and your persistence was paid off with success.

No matter where you travel across the country right now, farmers share similar concerns. The latest Ag Economy Barometer fell to its lowest reading since July 2020 as the input situation weighs outlooks.

“I wouldn't be surprised as we put Omicron behind us that we're going to see a restaurant recovery in the summer. But right now the supermarket is still doing quite well on a historical basis," says Michael Swanson.

The crisis and pain of procrastination are gifts. Think of them as an alarm bell. When it sounds, you know you need to engage in a relationship that will allow you to focus on what you enjoy most and are best at doing.

The timeline on these actions are tight—while arguments are heard on January 7, that’s three days before the enforcement efforts by OSHA are scheduled to start

Transportation woes continue to haunt Northeast shippers as trucks remain hard to come by and freight rates skyrocket because of rising fuel costs and a scarcity of drivers. 

Build Back Better heads to the Senate while Conservation Credit Corporation allocates $27 billion to conservation. Plus, when will the EPA announce RFS mandates?

USDA said late last week it’s not approving a vaccine mandate exemption for Farm Service Agency (FSA) employees, and now there are fears the next shortage farmers will face will be with FSA local field staff.

2021 is known as the “Great Resignation,” says Twyla Stevens, director of human resources at the Carthage System.

This has delivered numerous mind-blowing farmland sales. But will this runup in values continue?

As backlogs at U.S. ports and climbing shipping rates plague the supply chain, new data shows container shipping rates between the U.S and China are dropping by more than 50% in  just a month. 

A virtual working meeting is expected before year's end between President Biden and Chinese leader Xi Jinping.

Possible tax changes on the table in Washington are causing angst in agriculture. Secretary Vilsack says the proposed changes won't impact 98% of family farms, but another analysis contradicts those claims.

As the supply chain snarled, prices spiked. Prior to Hurricane Ida, a New Orleans barge of urea to ship in September to destinations across the U.S., Canada traded at $450 a ton. After, the price jumped to $552 a ton.

The Biden Administration’s policies are expected to impact roughly 100 million working Americans. Here’s what you need to know.

Demand for ag workers has employers turning to the H-2A program more often. New data from the Department of Labor shows the highest rate of growth is in the fruit, nuts and vegetable categories, up more than 330%.

Paul Neiffer says one of the biggest benefits in the House’s proposed plan is farmers won’t be hit with increased taxes at death, as the transfer tax is no longer included and the full step-up in basis remains.

Farmers seem to be slightly more optimistic about current economic conditions, but concerns about inflation are growing, according to the latest Ag Economy Barometer from Purdue University and the CME Group.

It’s no wonder Michael Smith wasn’t comfortable with pursuing a career in agriculture when he started college at Lincoln University in Jefferson City, Mo.

Talent is rarer than ever. Attracting it and keeping it is your key to success. Culture is king. Go see your people, and listen one-on-one.

U.S. ag is suffering from a labor shortage that could increase production costs and consumer food prices if not addressed through visa reform to provide better access to the foreign-born workers on which it depends.

As growers wade through the ever-deepening amount of carbon information available in the marketplace, they are asking for answers to these common questions.

President Biden is tackling anti-competitive issues in the U.S. with a new Executive Order. Signed Friday at the White House, the order could have a sweeping impact on agriculture.

The latest round of agricultural credit condition surveys from the Federal Reserve banks shows improved strength in the agricultural economy.

Farmers are among the most-qualified people to help address greenhouse gases (GHGs) and related climate issues, according to a new report commissioned by the Farm Journal Foundation.

Restaurants closing early. Sign after sign plastered along roadsides with businesses looking for help. The hiring issue is crippling everything from manufacturing to the restaurant industry today.

Produce truck rates are up 70% or more compared with a year ago, and industry sources don’t think relief is coming anytime soon.

Farmers John and Kara Boyd share the challenges of practicing regenerative ag in Southern Virginia. John leads the National Black Farmers Association and Kara founded the Association of American Indian Farmers.

There is growing concern crops being harvested will make it to market. The problem stems from a lack of truck drivers as COVID-19 concerns and high unemployment benefits are impacting the available workforce.

More global produce marketers and retailers are taking measures to become regenerative companies.

From fresh produce being plowed under to unharvested crops sitting untouched in fields, fruit and vegetable growers are the latest agriculture sector facing fallout from COVID-19.

A Trust In Food report showcases how some ag retailers and farmers are getting the job done.

New research from Farm Journal’s Trust In Food initiative looks at the growing importance of sustainability and conservation-focused products and services for the ag retail business.

There is no disputing that e-commerce sales of groceries are expanding, but one supply chain consultant says retailers face several challenges as click-and-collect and home delivery sales expand.

President Trump said Monday that a trade “understanding” has been reached with Mexico.