Pacific Northwest Ag Network

Global hunger and malnutrition pose significant threats to U.S. national security, according to a new report commissioned by Farm Journal Foundation.  The report, authored by researchers from Texas A&M University, examines how global food insecurity is linked to numerous geopolitical risks. Increasing i...

New research finds that increasing vegetable consumption has a positive effect on how happy a person feels.  USDA’s Agricultural Research Service said that holds true for adults who consume the daily amount of vegetable servings recommended by the Dietary Guidelines for Americans.  Researchers a...

Despite numerous headwinds in 2022, agricultural lending by U.S. farm banks increased by 8.1% last year to $103.1 billion.  The American Bankers Association’s annual Farm Bank Performance Report said the change is due to a 9.7% increase in outstanding loans, secured by farmland and a 5.9% increas...

The Consumer Price Index rose 0.4% in February on a seasonally adjusted basis, after increasing 0.5% in January.  Over the last 12 months, the all-items index increased 6.0% before seasonal adjustment.  The food index increased 0.4% in February, and...

Economic Research Service publishes its price forecasts in the monthly Food Price Outlook report.  The FPO forecasts food-at-home prices will increase by 8.6% in 2023, with a prediction interval of 5.6%-11%.  Forecasts now include a midpoint and a prediction interval to represent the expected price change and range of likely prices. The pred...

A new survey finds consumers expect to pay more for groceries this year.  Progressive Grocer reports the 2023 KPMG Winter Consumer Pulse Survey shows consumers anticipate increased prices, but are looking for ways to save money.  The Survey shows consumers expect a 15% increase in grocery spending this year.  Meanwhi...

Labor and Statistics reported this week that the Consumer Price Index rose 0.5% in January on a seasonally adjusted basis, after increasing 0.1% in December.  Over the last 12 months, the all-items index increased 6.4% before seasonal adjustment.  ...

Agriculture Secretary Tom Vilsack announced late last week major initiatives that he said will support and enhance the health of America's children through nutritious school meals.  At the USDA Conversation on Healthy School Meals Roundtable, Vilsack says, “Our commitment to the school meal programs comes from a common goal we all share – keeping kids healthy and helping them reach their full pote

For milk and most dairy products, “prices have started to decline, quicker than we had expected,” noted USDA outlook board chairman Mark Jekanowski.  He added it's a combination of continued increases in milk and dairy production plus weak demand and pretty strong international competition.   So far all of 2023 com...

The Bureau of Labor Statistics announced this week that the Producer Price Index for final demand declined 0.5% in December when seasonally adjusted.  The index measures the average change over time in the selling prices received by domestic producers for their output.  Final d...