ERS Data and Analysis Can Shed More
Light on Current Events
In the News |
Global Demand for U.S. Grain Strong Despite Higher Prices (Reuters, November 29, 2007) |
From ERS |
Outlook for U.S. Agricultural Trade. Fiscal 2008 agricultural exports are forecast at a record $91 billion, $9.1 billion above 2007. The outlook is largely supported by continued strong demand, tight markets and sharply higher prices for grains and oilseeds, and a weaker dollar. Bulk commodities account for three-quarters of the year-to-year increase in agricultural export value, with about one-quarter of that increase from volume gains.
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In the News |
Ethanol Production Is Issue in Farm Bill (Los Angeles Times, November 28, 2007) |
From ERS |
U.S. Ethanol Expansion Driving Changes Throughout the Agricultural Sector. A large expansion in ethanol production is underway in the United States, spurred by high oil prices and energy policies. Although corn is the primary feedstock used to produce ethanol in the United States, market adjustments to the ethanol expansion extend well beyond the corn sector. Adjustments in the agricultural sector to increased demand for biofuels will continue as interest in renewable sources of energy grows.
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In the News |
Farm Bill Debate Addresses Packer-Producer Arrangements (Des Moines Register, November 24, 2007) |
From ERS |
Agricultural Contracting: Trading Autonomy for Risk Reduction. Agricultural contracts are agreements between farmers and their commodity buyers that are reached before harvest or the completion of a livestock production stage. Contracts create closer linkages between farmers and specific buyers, and may afford the contractor (buyer) greater control over agricultural production decisions. However, the risk reduction provided by contracts is valuable to risk-averse farmers.
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In the News |
Farm Bill Could Divert Food Aid to Non-Emergency Funding (Cox News Service, November 22, 2007) |
From ERS |
Fifty Years of U.S. Food Aid and Its Role in Reducing World Hunger. Most poor countries do not have the financial resources to support national food safety net programs. Differing objectives in food aid programs, lack of consistency among donors' approaches to food aid, and types of food donated—e.g., the share of higher priced, noncereal foods is growing—are just a few factors that limit the effectiveness of food aid.
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In the News |
Beverage Producers Back Stronger Limits on Soft Drinks in Schools (Wall Street Journal, November 19, 2007) |
From ERS |
Food Assistance Research Brief—Competitive Foods: Soft Drinks vs. Milk. "Competitive foods"—those available in schools in addition to USDA-provided school meals—have lower nutritional quality than school meals. ERS reviews current information on the impact of competitive foods in school meal programs and presents a case study on competition between milk and soft drinks.
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In the News |
Virginia Poultry Companies Sign Agreement to Reduce River Pollution (Associated Press, November 13, 2007) |
From ERS |
Manure Management for Water Quality. Virginia’s rivers are part of the Chesapeake Bay watershed, which is among the largest and most biologically rich estuaries in the world. ERS uses this region as a case study in examining off-farm competition for land on which to spread manure. The report analyzes the costs of managing animal waste and the implications for animal producers, feed producers, and consumers.
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In the News |
What Is “Natural” Chicken? (Washington Post, November 6, 2007)
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From ERS |
Do Food Labels Make a Difference? . . . Sometimes. Consumers, food companies, third-party entities, and governments play a role in determining which attributes are described on the label. The economics behind food labeling provides insight into the dynamics of voluntary food labeling and the types of market failures best addressed through mandatory labeling requirements.
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In the News |
Brazil Tries To Cut Biofuel Tariffs (Associated Press, November 5, 2007)
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From ERS |
Sugar and Sweeteners Outlook: Ethanol Demand Driving the Expansion of Brazil’s Sugar Industry. Rising ethanol demand in global markets is driving the growth of Brazil’s sugar/ethanol complex with new investments in infrastructure and technology. As ethanol in Brazil is obtained from sugarcane, sugar industry developments are now increasingly linked to policy initiatives in ethanol markets.
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In the News |
Food Stamp Benefits To Rise by $1 Billion in Farm Bill (Reuters, November 1, 2007)
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From ERS |
Food Stamp Briefing Room. The Food Assistance and Nutrition Research Program at ERS studies the Food Stamp Program and other nutrition programs, program outcomes, vulnerable populations, the relationship between food assistance programs and the general economy, program operations and integrity, and food security in the United States.
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previous economics behind the headlines
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