USDA Economic Research Service - What's New

Season-Average Price Forecasts

Tue, 9 Feb 2010 20:00:00 GMT

A futures-price forecasting model is used to provide season-average price forecasts for corn, soybeans, and wheat. In addition to the monthly forecasts for prices received, the model computes a forecast for the counter-cyclical payment rate for each commodity. The 2002 Farm Act provides for counter-cyclical payments when prices are below specified levels.

Your Food Environment Atlas

Tue, 9 Feb 2010 13:00:00 GMT

Food environment factors�such as store/restaurant proximity, food prices, food and nutrition assistance programs, and community characteristics�interact to influence food choices and diet quality. The Food Environment Atlas assembles statistics on food environment indicators to stimulate research on the determinants of food choices and diet quality and provides a spatial overview of a community�s ability to access healthy food and its success in doing so. The Atlas currently includes 90 indicators of the food environment in three broad categories�food choices, health and well-being, and community characteristics.

World Agricultural Supply and Demand Estimates

Tue, 9 Feb 2010 12:30:00 GMT

Issued monthly, WASDE provides the most current USDA forecasts of U.S. and world supply-use balances for major grains, soybeans and products, and cotton, and U.S. supply and use data for sugar and livestock products.

Agricultural Outlook Statistical Indicators

Tue, 2 Feb 2010 16:00:00 GMT

Statistical Indicators previously published in Agricultural Outlook addressing a broad spectrum of agriculture-related issues. Includes commodity and food prices, general economic indicators, government program expenditures, farm income estimates, and trade and export statistics.

Agricultural Productivity in the United States

Mon, 1 Feb 2010 19:00:00 GMT

Increased productivity is the main contributor to growth in U.S. agriculture. This data set provides estimates of productivity growth in the U.S. farm sector over the period 1948-2008, and estimates of the growth and relative levels of productivity across the individual States for the 1960-2004 period.

Peanut Outlook: Impacts of the 2008-09 Foodborne Illness Outbreak Linked to Salmonella in Peanuts

Mon, 1 Feb 2010 13:00:00 GMT

The 2009 foodborne illness outbreak linked to Salmonella in peanut products resulted in one of the largest food safety recalls ever in the United States. The source of the outbreak handled a small share of the U.S. peanut supply, but the scope of the recalls was magnified because the peanut products were used as ingredients in more than 3,900 products. Consumer purchases of peanut-containing products initially slowed during the recalls, but retail purchases soon returned to normal and peanut processing held steady. The recalls do not appear to have had a lasting impact on peanut demand and production.

ERS Awards Grants to Establish RIDGE Centers for Food and Nutrition Assistance Research

Fri, 29 Jan 2010 15:00:00 GMT

The Economic Research Service (ERS) has awarded grants to establish two research centers in the Research Innovation and Development Grants in Economics (RIDGE) Program. The new centers are the RIDGE Center for National Food and Nutrition Assistance Research at the Institute for Research on Poverty, University of Wisconsin-Madison, and the RIDGE Center for Targeted Food and Nutrition Assistance Research at the Southern Rural Development Center, Mississippi State University. The centers partner with ERS to encourage new and innovative research on food assistance and nutrition issues and to broaden the participation of social science scholars in this research area. The national center will focus on food and nutrition issues that affect the Nation as a whole, while research at the targeted center will be directed at specific populations such as residents of rural areas, Native Americans, and immigrants. The RIDGE Centers oversee the application, peer review, sub-award, performance, and knowledge dissemination processes of the research projects. See the RIDGE Briefing Room for more information.

DatelinERS Newsletter

Wed, 27 Jan 2010 20:00:00 GMT

The DatelinERS newsletter offers concise summaries of ERS reports and events with links to areas within our website. You can find it in our newsroom at www.ers.usda.gov/News/.

Monthly Milk Cost of Production

Tue, 26 Jan 2010 20:00:00 GMT

Monthly milk cost of production estimates are available by State from January 2006 to the previous month.

Wheat Data

Thu, 21 Jan 2010 13:00:00 GMT

This data product contains statistics on wheat - including the five classes of wheat: hard red winter, hard red spring, soft red winter, white, and durum - and rye. Includes data published in the monthly Wheat Outlook and previously annual Wheat Yearbook. Data are monthly, quarterly, and/or annual depending upon the data series.

Feed Grains Database

Thu, 21 Jan 2010 13:00:00 GMT

Interactive database that contains statistics on four feed grains (corn, grain sorghum, barley, and oats), foreign coarse grains (feed grains plus rye, millet, and mixed grains), hay, and related items. Tables previously published annually in the Feed Yearbook are available and updated continuously as data are added to the database. Custom queries also allow users to retrieve historical data.

Evolving Agricultural Policies in a Changing World: USDA/OECD Conference

Wed, 20 Jan 2010 13:00:00 GMT

This no-fee agricultural policy conference is co-hosted by the United States Department of Agriculture, Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada, the Mexican Ministry of Agriculture (SAGARPA) and organized jointly with the Organization for Economic Cooperation and Development (OECD).

During this one and one-half day conference, OECD will provide a broad view of its organization and agricultural policy work focusing on its specific relevance and value to North America. The first day will focus on OECD�s role in agricultural policy analysis and design including current thematic work, such as risk management and trade policy.

Livestock, Dairy, and Poultry Outlook

Wed, 20 Jan 2010 13:00:00 GMT

Timely livestock, dairy, and poultry information, focusing on current and forecast production, price, and trade statistics for each of the sectors.

Evolving Agricultural Policies in a Changing World: USDA/OECD Conference

Tue, 19 Jan 2010 13:00:00 GMT

Meat Price Spreads

Fri, 15 Jan 2010 14:00:00 GMT

This data set provides monthly average price values, and the differences among those values, at the farm, wholesale, and retail stages of the production and marketing chain for selected cuts of beef, pork, and broilers. In addition, retail prices are provided for beef and pork cuts, turkey, whole chickens, eggs, and dairy products.

Agricultural Outlook Statistical Indicators

Fri, 15 Jan 2010 04:00:00 GMT

Sugar and Sweeteners Outlook

Thu, 14 Jan 2010 18:00:00 GMT

Examines world and U.S. production, consumption, trade, stocks, and prices for beet and cane sugar, and high fructose corn syrup.

Aquaculture Data

Thu, 14 Jan 2010 14:00:00 GMT

Aquaculture is the production of aquatic animals and plants under controlled conditions for all or part of their lifecycle. This data product provides statistics on domestically grown catfish and trout and U.S. imports and exports of fish and shellfish that may be products of aquaculture, such as salmon, shrimp, and oysters.

Wheat Outlook

Thu, 14 Jan 2010 13:00:00 GMT

Examines supply, use, prices, and trade for wheat, including supply and demand prospects in major importing and exporting countries. Contains data and information on U.S. wheat by class.

Feed Outlook

Thu, 14 Jan 2010 13:00:00 GMT

Examines supply, use, prices, and trade for feed grains, including supply and demand prospects in major importing and exporting countries. Focuses on corn; also contains information on sorghum, barley, oats, and hay.

U.S. Agricultural Trade Data Update

Wed, 13 Jan 2010 20:00:00 GMT

Provides a monthly update of year-to-date quantities and values of U.S. agricultural exports and imports. Also provides data on leading destination countries for exports and import source countries.

Oil Crops Outlook

Wed, 13 Jan 2010 20:00:00 GMT

Examines supply, use, prices, and trade for oil crops (primarily soybeans and products), including supply and demand prospects in major importing and exporting countries. Includes information on cottonseed, peanuts, sunflowerseed, tropical oils, corn oil, and animal fats.

Rice Outlook

Wed, 13 Jan 2010 20:00:00 GMT

Examines supply, use, prices, and trade for rice, including supply and demand prospects in major importing and exporting countries. Contains information on U.S. rough, milled, and long-, medium-, and short-grain rice.

Livestock and Meat Trade Data

Wed, 13 Jan 2010 14:00:00 GMT

The Livestock and Meat Trade Data Set contains monthly and annual data for imports and exports of live cattle, hogs, sheep, and goats, as well as beef and veal, pork, lamb and mutton, chicken meat, turkey meat, and eggs. The tables report physical quantities, not dollar values or unit prices. Data on beef and veal, pork, and lamb and mutton are on a carcass-weight-equivalent basis. Breakdowns by country are included.

Latest U.S. Agricultural Trade Data

Tue, 12 Jan 2010 19:00:00 GMT

This data product announces USDA's monthly release of calendar year, fiscal year, year-to-date, and monthly value of U.S. agricultural exports, imports, and trade balance.

Season-Average Price Forecasts

Tue, 12 Jan 2010 14:00:00 GMT

World Agricultural Supply and Demand Estimates

Tue, 12 Jan 2010 12:30:00 GMT

DatelinERS Newsletter

Wed, 30 Dec 2009 18:30:00 GMT

The DatelinERS newsletter offers concise summaries of ERS reports and events with links to areas within our website. You can find it in our newsroom at www.ers.usda.gov/News/.

Factors Influencing ACRE Program Enrollment

Tue, 29 Dec 2009 13:00:00 GMT

Authorized by the 2008 Farm Act, the Average Crop Revenue Election (ACRE) program is the first revenue-based, income-support program that calculates payments using recent market prices and a producer�s actual plantings. The payments are triggered when a farm�s revenue and State revenue (price multiplied by yield per planted acre) fall below a calculated guarantee for a crop. By contrast, other income-support programs are based on legislated rates and support levels, computed using a farm�s base acres and payment yields. Had the ACRE program been available during crop years 1996-2008, this report shows that farmers would have benefited more from participating in 2002 Farm Act programs than in the hypothetical ACRE program. The report further suggests that, for 2009-12, producers of corn, soybeans, wheat, and rice are likely to benefit more from the ACRE program than from the price-based, income-support programs. Initial enrollment data suggest that factors aside from expected market prices and yields entered into the enrollment decision such as producer risk preferences and initial learning and negotiation costs. Data indicate that about 8 percent of farms with almost 13 percent of eligible base acres elected to participate in ACRE, which is less than might be expected given price and yield-based analysis alone.

Monthly Milk Cost of Production

Mon, 28 Dec 2009 12:00:00 GMT

Monthly milk cost of production estimates are available by State from January 2006 to the previous month.

Agricultural Income and Finance Outlook

Tue, 22 Dec 2009 20:00:00 GMT

Agricultural Income and Finance Outlook. Provides comprehensive overview of the financial characteristics and performance of the U.S. farm sector and farm businesses, and the financial status of farm households.

Feed Grains Database

Mon, 21 Dec 2009 20:00:00 GMT

Wheat Data

Mon, 21 Dec 2009 20:00:00 GMT

Request for Applications for Competitive Grant Awards to Conduct Economic Research on the Joint Contributions of the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program and Unemployment Insurance to the Nation�s Social Safety Net

Fri, 18 Dec 2009 13:00:00 GMT

The Food Assistance and Nutrition Research Program (FANRP) of the USDA Economic Research Service (ERS) announces the availability of funds and a request for applications to conduct research on operational issues of USDA�s Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP, formerly called the Food Stamp Program, or FSP) and its support for the working poor. In particular, ERS seeks research that addresses: (a) operational issues regarding SNAP participation decisions and the dynamics of program participation among low-income households with workers, and (b) the interactions between receipt of SNAP benefits and State Unemployment Insurance (UI) benefits, especially during the current recession. ERS believes the issues can best be addressed by careful analysis of linked program administrative data from the SNAP and UI programs. Total funding available for this research is approximately $500,000. The deadline for proposal submission is February 17, 2010.

Livestock, Dairy, and Poultry Outlook

Thu, 17 Dec 2009 13:00:00 GMT

Timely livestock, dairy, and poultry information, focusing on current and forecast production, price, and trade statistics for each of the sectors.

Growth and Equity Effects of Agricultural Marketing Efficiency Gains in India

Thu, 17 Dec 2009 13:00:00 GMT

Agriculture is the largest source of employment in India, and food accounts for about half of consumer expenditures. Moving agricultural products from the farm to consumers more efficiently could result in large gains to producers, consumers, and India�s overall economy. This analysis uses a computable general equilibrium model with agricultural commodity detail and households disaggregated by rural, urban, and income class to study the potential impacts of reforms that achieve efficiency gains in agricultural marketing and reduce agricultural input subsidies and import tariffs. More efficient agricultural marketing generates economywide gains in output and wages, raises agricultural producer prices, reduces consumer food prices, and increases private consumption, particularly by low-income households. These gains could help to offset some of the medium-term adjustment costs for some commodity markets and households associated with reducing agricultural subsidies and tariffs.

Vegetables and Melons Outlook

Wed, 16 Dec 2009 18:00:00 GMT

Provides current intelligence and forecasts the effects of changing conditions in the U.S. vegetables and melons sector (including potatoes, pulses, and mushrooms). Topics include production, consumption, shipments, prices received, trade, and more.

Meat Price Spreads

Wed, 16 Dec 2009 14:00:00 GMT

Agricultural Outlook Statistical Indicators

Mon, 14 Dec 2009 20:00:00 GMT

Aquaculture Data

Mon, 14 Dec 2009 14:00:00 GMT

Wheat Outlook

Mon, 14 Dec 2009 13:00:00 GMT

Examines supply, use, prices, and trade for wheat, including supply and demand prospects in major importing and exporting countries. Contains data and information on U.S. wheat by class.

Feed Outlook

Mon, 14 Dec 2009 13:00:00 GMT

China Is Using More Corn for Industrial Products

Mon, 14 Dec 2009 13:00:00 GMT

China�s corn imports are minimal, even though it is using a growing proportion of its corn to produce starch, ethanol, and other industrial products. The corn-processing industry�s growth was encouraged by Chinese government policy, but the industry now has excess capacity. Many of the corn-based industrial products are exported. China�s price support for corn during 2008/09 increased raw material costs for the industry and slowed its growth.