Beef Prices Expected to Stay High

A quick trip to the grocery store’s meat aisle confirms beef prices are at record highs as packers scramble to find higher grade cattle.

Storms Ease California Drought, for the Moment

California officials fear the recent spate of storms that eased the area’s severe drought conditions may, actually, simply be a prelude to drier weather, the Los Angeles Times reported. David Rizzardo, hydrology section manager for …

FI Takeaways: Oct. 27, 2022

Need a quick download on the most important headlines this week? We’ve got you covered. Check out our newest series, FI Takeaways! This week we’ll take a look at American Express‘ third-quarter earnings, this winter’s weather outlook for crop …

Hurricane Ian Takes Toll on Florida Agriculture

Florida’s citrus industry appears to have borne the brunt of Hurricane Ian. Reports from the region indicate that the damage could potentially be worse than after Hurricane Irma, which cut Florida citrus production by a …

Second Wave of Bird Flu Hitting US, Canada

Highly pathogenic avian influenza was reported in five turkey flocks in the U.S. in September, among eight outbreaks reported in the U.S. and Canada.

Weather Researchers Warn of Pending Megafloods, Megaheat

California could experience “megafloods” as a large portion of the country experiences “megaheat,” according to a UCLA study.

Analysis: How ‘Heatflation’ is Heating up Food Prices

The twin crop production enemies, drought and excessive heat, are putting unprecedented pressure on the global food supply via “heatflation.”

FI Fast Break audio news: July 20, 2022

This week, in The Food Institute’s quick-hitting, audio news podcast, we update worsening drought conditions in the U.S. and Europe. The Food Institute Podcast · FI Fast Break News – July 20, 2022 The FI …

No End in Sight for California Drought

Though drought conditions have improved in the Pacific Northwest and areas of the Midwest, parts of California and the Southwest have seen no relief from dry weather.

Blackouts in the Forecast for Summer

The food industry should be on high alert this summer amid warnings from the North American Electric Corp. that high temperatures, drought and the prospects of extreme weather could contribute to blackouts across the continent. …

Amid Record Heat and Drought This Year, Midwest Producers Hopeful for 2022

The West Coast may be receiving the bulk of U.S. media coverage on record heat and drought conditions, but it is not the only region contending with extreme weather: the Midwest is also in the …

UPDATE: Historic Drought Taking Toll on Western Farmers

The historic drought in the U.S. West is hitting California’s top agricultural export especially hard. The state’s $6 billion almond industry produces approximately 80% of the world’s almonds, but more and more growers are expected …

Wild, Wild West: Why Water Theft is Now Rampant in California

As an unrelenting drought torments California’s farmers, many of them are now dealing with an additional concern: water theft. With water increasingly scarce in California in recent months, thieves have stolen several millions of gallons …

Update: Drought Worsening in U.S. West, Plains

Drought and an early fire season are threatening agriculture in the U.S. West and Plains, reducing hay yields, pushing feed costs higher, the Associated Press reported (July 26), and drying up water sources. Drought conditions …

‘Double Whammy’ of Drought, Frosts in Brazil Propels Coffee Prices

Extreme weather and supply chain issues have impacted prices for the vast majority of commodities in 2021, ranging from lumber to corn. Until recently, coffee (and avocados) seemed to be surviving in an inflationary market …

Exclusive: Wells Fargo Economist Addresses State of U.S. Agriculture

Here are trending economic and food industry data points, as well as major economic and company earnings releases for the coming week: an interview with Wells Fargo agricultural economist Dr. Michael J. Swanson on a …

FI Fast Break audio news: June 30, 2021

This week, in The Food Institute’s quick-hitting, audio news podcast, we break down the historic heatwave impacting crops in the Pacific Northwest, Dunkin’ Donuts’ shift away from plant-based sausage, and the increasing interest surrounding grocery-anchored …

Historic Heatwave in Pacific Northwest Causes Concerns Over Crops

You thought 2020 was bad? This year has featured extreme drought conditions. Then, cicadas and grasshoppers. Now, the Pacific Northwest is getting walloped by a nearly unprecedented heatwave. Portland, Seattle, and swaths of western Canada …

Grasshoppers Threaten Farmland as Drought Conditions Intensify

Record-breaking temperatures and water shortages continue to pummel the agricultural industry across the western U.S. California farmers are scaling back production and uprooting crops as they struggle to navigate relentless drought conditions. Meanwhile, the impending …

FI Fast Break news: June 17, 2021

This week, in The Food Institute’s quick-hitting, audio news podcast, we break down the wave of resignations currently taking place at U.S. businesses, restaurants’ recovery, and increasing drought concerns. The Food Institute Podcast · FI …

Worsening Drought Envelopes Much of Western U.S.

Dangerous heat waves in much of the western U.S. could soon break all-time temperature records. And, those temperatures are worsening drought conditions that were already plenty worrisome. The latest drought monitor released June 10 categorizes a …

Drought Update: West Coast, Midwest Water Supplies Dwindle

Editor’s Note: This is an update to The Food Institute’s April article “Is the U.S. Facing a Megadrought?” Central Valley Farmers to Get No Allocation Farmers in California’s Central Valley Project will get none of …

Is the U.S. Facing a Megadrought?

“Every moving thing lifted the dust into the air: a walking man lifted a thin layer as high as his waist, and a wagon lifted the dust as high as the fence tops, and an …

Key Crops Impacted by Extreme Weather

Several crops are suffering from the effects of severe weather over the last month or so. Rice Arkansas’ rice harvest is off to a slow start because of weather not conductive to drying grain and …