Good morning.
For every dollar spent on domestically produced food in the U.S.... how much of that dollar actually goes back to the farmer?
Well, that percentage hit a new all-time low in 2021, with 14.5 cents of every dollar headed back to the farm. That number drops to 6 cents for every dollar spent on food away from home.
Lots of other nuggets about the concept of the "food dollar" here, and more news on the scroll!
P.S. Looks like we’ve reached the end of the line on railroad strike news. President Biden signed the bill averting the strike Friday.
Stories:
- Biofuels Benefit from New RFS
- DENIED: Farm Groups’ Plea for HOS Exemption
- Meat Packers See Future with Soft Robotics
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Biofuels Benefit from New RFS |
Biofuel growth got a thumbs up from the EPA’s newly released multi-year volumes proposal for the Renewable Fuel Standard (RFS).
ICYMI: This is the first time the EPA has had a carte blanche for crafting biofuel targets. Prior to 2022, the Energy Independence and Security Act of 2007 outlined volume targets that the EPA could adjust.
The blend: The volume of biofuels blended with petroleum was proposed to grow by more than 2B gallons between 2023 and 2025. Overall, the EPA proposed a 10% increase primarily targeting "advanced" biofuels. Corn ethanol would keep on keepin’ on as the primary biofuel in the U.S.
For the first time, the EPA has included credits for car makers using biofuels to charge electric vehicles.
Pro proposal? Industry representatives had mixed feedback on the proposal, specifically calling out the cold shoulder to biodiesel, renewable diesel, and sustainable aviation fuel. Ethanol trade groups said the proposal promises steady growth for the sector.
Soundbite: "EPA's proposed rule solidifies a role for the Renewable Fuel Standard in future efforts to reduce carbon emissions and enhance our nation's energy security," said Geoff Cooper, RFA President and CEO.
Where this goes: Post-holiday season, the EPA is holding a public hearing on the proposal. The rule is set to be finalized by June 14, 2023.
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→ Corteva makin’ moves. The ag giant has signed an agreement to acquire biologicals company Stoller, which has a forecasted revenue of $400M this year.
→ Pie pig in the sky. China has built a 26-story skyscraper that will house the world’s largest single-building pig farm; about 1.2M pigs could be slaughtered there per year.
→ Crossin’ borders. After a dead wild piglet was found near its border with Poland, the Czech Republic is the latest country to confirm a case of African swine fever—the first time the disease has been in the nation in 5 years.
→ Robot takeover. In the next 5 years, the market size for weeding robots and spraying drones will increase significantly—up to 11x what it is today.
→ Fertilizer market chilling out? Experts at Rabobank say that the fertilizer market could stabilize heading into 2023, after two straight years of volatility.
→ Big gain for grain analysis. Ground Truth Ag closed a $4M seed funding round, which it will use to help farmers get lab-quality grain analysis (without the lab), and with location precision.
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DENIED: Farm Groups’ Plea for HOS Exemption |
Disappointing—and slow mooving—news for the livestock industry: the U.S. Department of Transportation Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA) has denied an application for an hours of service (HOS) rule exemption from the Livestock Marketing Association, American Farm Bureau Federation, National Cattlemen’s Beef Association, and other groups.
Background: The HOS rule only allows 11 hours of driving time and 14 consecutive hours of on-duty time within 24 hours. Plus it requires rest periods.
But, in February 2019, FMCSA first published the request for an exemption for drivers who transport livestock, insects, and aquatic animals. They wanted those drivers to be able to instead drive 15 hours during a 16-hour period on-duty, after 10 consecutive off-duty hours.
Since then, the exemption has been modified/extended at least 10 times. Until now.
In typical Murphy’s Law fashion, there’s a trucker shortage, and the railroad system has been off the rails lately. (But fortunately the strike has been avoided. #winning)
Rules are rules: "The HOS regulations impose limits on when and how long an individual may drive, to ensure that drivers stay awake and alert, and to reduce the possibility of cumulative fatigue. As stated by opponents of the exemption, livestock haulers have been required to operate within the confines of the HOS regulations for over 80 years," - The FMCSA, per the Federal Register.
In the farming world, these rules can make hauling livestock difficult.
"Anybody that’s in this industry knows that this makes no sense for animal welfare," said cattle producer Brad Kooima from Rock Valley, Iowa.
Where this goes: Kent Bacus, Executive Director of Government Affairs for the National Cattlemen’s Beef Association, said they will look at any legal or congressional recourse and continue to petition the FMCSA to reconsider or compromise.
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That’s exactly why the largest family-owned retail seed company in the United States launched its Practical Farm Research (PFR)® program.
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‘Tis the season… for live Christmas plants. While The U.S. grows most of its Christmas trees and poinsettias domestically, we also import a small percentage of both from one country.
Which nation helps the U.S. fill its Christmas plant needs?
Answer at the bottom of the email.
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Meat Packers See Future with Soft Robotics |
Soft Robotics is going hard, after closing its $26M Series C funding round. This brings total funding to a sturdy $86M.
The company has a firm grip on robot "picking products" and will use this latest funding round to expand its mGripAI automation package in commercial settings. AI and 3D vision enable "industrial arms to perform automated bulk picking in food processes."
So good they’re almost human: This IP69K-rated technology combines (figurative) hands, eyes, and brains to empower high-speed industrial arms that automate picking processes for protein, produce, dairy, baked goods, and prepared foods.
ICYMI: There’s a labor shortage for pretty much everything these days, and meat-packing is certainly not exempt. Soft Robotics’ technology could change the game for companies like Tyson Foods and Johnsonville who are hopeful that robotic automation will boost production and create safer working environments.
Tyson Ventures, part of Tyson Foods, led the funding round, while Marel and Johnsonville were new to the crew. Additional investors included ABB, Calibrate Ventures, FANUC, Material Impact, Scale Venture Partners, and Tekfen.
Soundbite: "Soft Robotics' revolutionary robotic technology, computer vision, and AI platform have the potential to transform the food industry and will play a key role in any company's automation journey," said Rahul Ray, senior director of Tyson Ventures.
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Canada. Live tree imports are around 2.8M trees or $68M. Meanwhile poinsettia imports are close to 2.2M plants or $11.5M.
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Magnetic Ag
P.O. Box 7292
Greenwood, IN 46142-6423
United States
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