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Six years ago, Illinois farmer John Ackerman didn't hire any contract workers at all. He enjoys mentoring young people, but says it's felt harder lately to justify hiring inexperienced workers when contract workers do the same hard, physical jobs faster and better. Climate change affects all farm workers, but advocates and researchers say this is a reason to focus particularly on these workers. The USDA data showed an uptick in the number of farms using migrant labor, both within farms that already hired contract workers and overall. He’s tried reaching out H-2A workers on nearby farms, but says their supervisors won’t let them talk to him.

Persons: John Ackerman didn't, Ackerman, it's, Alexis Guild, Rebecca Young, ”, Jennifer Vanos, Abigail Kerfoot, Luis Jimenez, farmworkers, Jimenez, He’s, won’t, “, Jed Clark, he's, Stephanie McBath, ” McBath, “ it’s, ” Bruce Cline, Scott Kuegel, ” Jimenez, Dorany Pineda, Joshua A, Bickel, Melina Walling Organizations: U.S . Department of Agriculture, Farmworker, Arizona State University, Centro de, Alianza Agrícola, “, National Association of State, of Agriculture, Associated Press Locations: Illinois, U.S, New York, North Carolina, Kentucky, Crofton , Kentucky, Owensboro, AP.org

☆ Here's why we're buying more of this healthcare stock after its Friday sell-off
▼ + stars: | 2024-03-15 | by ( Zev Fima | ) www.cnbc.com time to read: +2 min

We are taking advantage of Friday's sell-off in Abbott — shares are down more than 4% in morning trading — to increase our exposure to the medical device maker. As a subscriber to the CNBC Investing Club with Jim Cramer, you will receive a trade alert before Jim makes a trade. Jim waits 45 minutes after sending a trade alert before buying or selling a stock in his charitable trust's portfolio. THE ABOVE INVESTING CLUB INFORMATION IS SUBJECT TO OUR TERMS AND CONDITIONS AND PRIVACY POLICY , TOGETHER WITH OUR DISCLAIMER . NO FIDUCIARY OBLIGATION OR DUTY EXISTS, OR IS CREATED, BY VIRTUE OF YOUR RECEIPT OF ANY INFORMATION PROVIDED IN CONNECTION WITH THE INVESTING CLUB.

Persons: Jim Cramer's, Abbott —, Abbott, it's, ABT, Jim Cramer, Jim Organizations: Abbott Laboratories, ABT, Abbott, Federal Trade Commission, U.S . Department of Agriculture, Food and Drug Administration, FDA, CNBC

☆ Musk's Neuralink brain implant company cited by FDA over animal lab issues
▼ + stars: | 2024-02-29 | by ( ) www.cnbc.com time to read: +2 min

The inspectors identified quality control lapses at the company's California animal research facility. Those visits took place last year from June 12-22, and represent the FDA's sole inspections of Neuralink facilities on record. The laboratory problems identified by FDA inspectors included missing calibration records for instruments such as a pH meter used in one of the studies. An animal welfare advocacy group, Physicians Committee for Responsible Medicine, submitted a formal complaint to both USDA and FDA over the alleged breaches. In July, the USDA said it did not find any violations of its animal research rules beyond a 2019 incident that Neuralink had already reported.

Persons: Elon Musk's, Jerry L, Chapman, Lou Gehrig's, Neuralink Organizations: Food, Drug Administration, Elon, Elon Musk's Neuralink, Reuters, Redica Systems, FDA, U.S . Department of Agriculture, Physicians, Responsible Medicine Locations: California, Neuralink's Texas

They eat a lot.”Many states have rejected federal funds on principle or for technical reasons. Twenty-two states have turned down the mostly federally funded expansion of Medicaid eligibility to provide health insurance to more lower-income adults. Photos You Should See View All 33 ImagesThe Summer EBT program, a response to increased child hunger when school is out, involves much less money. Bill Lee's office said the initiative is a pandemic-era benefit and that other food programs already exist. But Crystal FitzSimons, director of school programs at Food Research and Action Center, cited research that families buy more nutritional food when their grocery subsidies increase.

Persons: Otibehia Allen, ” Allen, “, aren't, Thomas Vazquez, Bill Lee's, Megan Degenfelder, ”, Defenfelder, Allen's, Tate Reeves, Reeves, you’re, Jim Pillen, Lisa Davis, Kim Reynolds, Crystal FitzSimons, It's, ___ Mattise, Sean Murphy, James Pollard, Pollard Organizations: U.S . Department of Agriculture, Texas Health, Human Services Commission, Texas, Republican Gov, Food Research, Action Center, Associated Press, “, Republican, Washington D.C, Democratic, Action, America Statehouse News Initiative, America Locations: Clarksdale , Mississippi, States, Vermont, Texas, Tennessee, Wyoming, Louisiana, In Mississippi, Nebraska, Alabama, Alaska , Florida, Georgia , Idaho , Iowa, Louisiana , Mississippi , Oklahoma, South Carolina, South Dakota , Texas , Vermont, Nashville , Tennessee, Cherry Hill , New Jersey, Oklahoma City, Columbia , South Carolina

Jim Pillen reversed course on Monday and announced that the state will accept roughly $18 million in federal funding to help feed hungry children over the summer break. “They talked about being hungry, and they talked about the summer USDA program and, depending upon access, when they'd get a sack of food,” Pillen said. A bill from state Sen. Jen Day of Omaha, a Democrat in the officially nonpartisan Legislature, would have forced the state to accept the federal funding. Kim Reynolds criticized the federal food program as doing “nothing to promote nutrition at a time when childhood obesity has become an epidemic." Pillen said Monday that Nebraska officials had already reached out to the USDA to confirm that the state would participate this year.

Persons: LINCOLN, Jim Pillen, Pillen, “, they'd, ” Pillen, ”, —, Sen, Jen, Ray Aguilar, Aguilar, Kim Reynolds, Reynolds, State Sen, Megan Hunt, ” Hunt Organizations: —, — Nebraska Gov, U.S . Department of Agriculture, Capitol, SNAP, Summer Food Service, Democrat, Republican, Nebraska, State, USDA Locations: Neb, — Nebraska, Nebraska, Pillen's, Omaha, Grand, Iowa

More foods are being recalled in the wake of a deadly outbreak of listeria food poisoning, including snack foods that may be part of Super Bowl Sunday party menus. Photos You Should See View All 21 ImagesThe recalled foods were sold to food service providers, retailers and at deli counters nationwide. The U.S. Department of Agriculture also issued a public health alert for certain Amazon kitchen burritos that contain ingredients made by Rizo Lopez Foods. About 1,600 people are sickened by listeria food poisoning every year, according to the CDC. The CDC said consumers who have the recalled products should throw them away and thoroughly clean the refrigerator, counters and other contact sites.

Persons: Joe's, Rizo Lopez, Tio Francisco, Don Francisco, Rizo, Campesino, Dos, Casa Organizations: Super Bowl, Costco, Rizo Lopez Foods, Inc, U.S . Centers for Disease Control, Prevention, Health, Rizo Bros, Food, U.S . Department of Agriculture, CDC, Associated Press Health, Science Department, Howard Hughes Medical Institute’s Science, Educational Media Group, AP Locations: Modesto , California, Rio Grande , Food City, El, San Carlos, Santa Maria, Casa Cardenas

Tennessee is among 35 states, all five U.S. territories and four tribes that have opted into the Summer Electronic Benefits Transfer program, or Summer EBT, for this summer. "Established during the pandemic, Summer EBT was intended to supplement existing food assistance programs in extraordinary circumstances. “I think it is a mistake to not continue with Summer EBT in 2025 and beyond,” Anderson said in an interview. Under the federal program, some 644,000 Tennessee children can receive $77.3 million more in aid this summer, creating a multiplied economic impact, according to the USDA Food and Nutrition Service. All 50 states administer the existing Summer Food Service Program, which provides sites where kids can eat for free.

Persons: won’t, Joe Biden's, Bill Lee's, ”, Elizabeth Johnson, Lee, EBT, Signe Anderson, she's, ” Anderson, Jim Pillen, Tom Vilsack, he’s Organizations: —, . Tennessee, Republican, Republican Gov, “ Tennessee, Tennessee Justice Center, U.S . Department of Agriculture, USDA, Assistance, Nebraska Gov, USDA Food, Nutrition Service, Food Service Program, Associated Locations: Tenn, — Tennessee, ., Tennessee, “, Nebraska, ” Tennessee

Nebraska is among more than a dozen states — all with Republican governors — that have opted out of receiving the funding. Kim Reynolds criticized the federal food program as doing “nothing to promote nutrition at a time when childhood obesity has become an epidemic. Statistics from the U.S. Department of Agriculture showing a steady increase in food insecurity among Nebraska families could help explain that flood of calls, Day said. “This places Nebraska above the national average and gives us the 11th highest food insecurity in the nation,” she said. “As many of you know, food is more expensive than ever, and it’s squeezing low-income Nebraska residents hardest."

Persons: Weeks, Jim Pillen, “, Omaha Sen, Jen Day, —, Kim Reynolds, Sen, Ray Aguilar, Aguilar, Day, Pillen Organizations: Republican Gov, Legislature's, Human Services Committee, SNAP, Democrat, Nebraska Legislature, Republican, Statistics, U.S . Department, Agriculture, Summer Food Service Program, U.S . Department of Agriculture Locations: Nebraska, Omaha, Iowa, Grand, U.S

☆ Are you getting enough fiber? It's one of the most overlooked nutrients, doctor says—when to consider a supplement
▼ + stars: | 2024-01-31 | by ( Renée Onque | ) www.cnbc.com time to read: +1 min

There are so many nutrients that our bodies need, so it's easy to miss out on getting enough of each one. Less than 10% of U.S. adults are getting the recommended daily intake of fiber, according to a study that was presented at Nutrition 2021 Live Online. Typically, American adults are only eating about 10 to 15 grams of total fiber a day, Harvard Health Publishing states. Fiber is something that we can easily take in every day," according to Dr. Kellyann Petrucci, a celebrity nutrition expert and New York Times best-selling author. And why do we even need fiber to begin with?

Persons: Kellyann Petrucci, Petrucci Organizations: U.S . Department, Agriculture, Harvard Health Publishing, New York Times Locations: U.S

California poultry farms are implementing strict biosecurity measures to curb the spread of the disease. So we’ve got to be as vigilant as possible to protect our birds,” said Bill Mattos, president of the California Poultry Federation. Climate change is increasing the risk of outbreaks as changing weather patterns disrupt the migratory patterns of wild birds, Pitesky said. For example, exceptional rainfall last year created new waterfowl habitat throughout California, including areas close to poultry farms. “I’m very concerned because this avian flu is transmitted by wild birds, and there’s no way I can stop the wild birds from coming through and leaving the disease behind,” Peterson said.

Persons: Mike Weber, “, ”, Weber, Annette Jones, we’ve, Bill Mattos, Maurice Pitesky, Pitesky, Rodrigo Gallardo, Gallardo, Ettamarie Peterson, I’m, ” Peterson, Weber’s, ” Weber, they’ve, “ We’re Organizations: —, Sunrise, California Poultry Federation, San Francisco Bay Area, U.S . Department of Agriculture, University of California, USDA . Industry, UC Davis Locations: PETALUMA, Calif, Sonoma County, San Francisco, Petaluma, California, Midwest, Merced County, Central California, San Francisco Bay, U.S, Turkey, Australia, Davis, North Coast, Central Valley

For decades, federal and state officials have struggled to control farm runoff, the biggest source of nutrient pollution that is not typically federally regulated. Water pollution from factories and industry is typically federally regulated. The Biden administration recently proposed toughening regulations on meat and poultry processing plants to reduce pollution, Wall said. When nutrient pollution flows into the Gulf of Mexico, it spurs growth of bacteria that consume oxygen. That affects the productivity of commercial fisheries and marine life in general, but nutrient pollution is also damaging upstream.

Persons: that's, It’s, ”, Olivia Dorothy, Tom Wall, Biden, Wall, Nancy Rabalais, Anne Schechinger, Gregory Klinger, Brad Carlson, Martin Larsen, He's, Larsen, ___ Walling, ___, Melina Walling Organizations: LOUIS, Environmental, Agency, Midwest, EPA, Louisiana State University, University of Minnesota, U.S . Department of Agriculture, Associated Press, Walton Family Foundation, AP Locations: Gulf of Mexico, Mississippi, Rhode Island, New Jersey, Midwest, Minnesota, Olmsted County, Chicago

NEW YORK (AP) — Student and legal advocacy groups are petitioning the U.S. Department of Agriculture to lift the interview requirement for Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) applicants to receive food aid. The groups argue the interview requirement is burdensome and prevents those who qualify for food aid from receiving it. Political Cartoons View All 253 ImagesEligible households next receive a notice indicating their certification period, or how long they'll receive SNAP benefits. But interviews are not mandated by the federal statute governing the SNAP program, the organizations petitioning the government note. A 2021 review of enrollment data in California found that 31% of SNAP applicants in Los Angeles County were denied SNAP due to missing their interview, compared to just 6% who were denied for failing to meet eligibility requirements.

Persons: Aviana Kimani, Kimani, it’s, ” Kimani, “, you’re, Allan Rodriguez, Ty Jones Cox, ”, Aaron Ament, Charles Schwab Organizations: U.S . Department of Agriculture, Nutrition Assistance, SNAP, Student Legal Defense Network, Center for Law, Social, California, Aid, Department of Agriculture, West Los Angeles College, Agriculture Department, Center for Budget, Student, Associated Press, Charles, Charles Schwab Foundation, Inc, AP Locations: California, Los Angeles County

SINGAPORE, Dec 5 (Reuters) - Asian stocks slipped to three-week lows on Tuesday while bonds and the dollar steadied as investors tempered expectations for cuts to U.S. interest rates and waited on U.S. jobs data. The Australian dollar fell 0.5% after the central bank left interest rates on hold, as expected, and emphasised that the future direction rates would depend on data. Japan's Nikkei (.N225) was dragged 1% lower to a three-week trough, mostly thanks to falling chipmaking stocks. Treasuries had come under a little pressure overnight as traders calibrated pretty aggressive pricing for U.S. interest rate cuts. The Reserve Bank of Australia left interest rates on hold and said, as it had a month ago, that future rate settings would depend on data.

Persons: Treasuries, Kim Coghill Organizations: Japan's Nikkei, ANZ, New, Reserve Bank of Australia, Brent, U.S . Department of Agriculture, Thomson Locations: SINGAPORE, Asia, Pacific, Japan, Hong Kong, New Zealand, Tokyo, China

UNCHARTED WATERS Airlines Race Toward a Future of Powering Their Jets With Corn Carriers want to replace jet fuel with ethanol to fight global warming. Corn 2022 N.D. MINN. WIS. S.D. Corn 2022 N.D. MINN. WIS. S.D. Corn 2022 N.D. MINN. WIS. S.D. Corn 2022 N.D. MINN. WIS. S.D.

Persons: “, ”, Jeffrey Broberg, Biden, Jake Wildman, Wildman, Lauren Riley, Amelia DeLuca, Todd Becker, United’s, Seager, et, Roy Stoltenberg, It’s, “ It’s, Mr, Stoltenberg, John, Stoltenberg douses, Megan Konar, Matt Jennen, midcentury, we’ve, Chad Friese, I’m, John Hansen, Mary, sighed Organizations: Jets, Carriers, Minnesota Well, Organization, United Airlines, Delta, New York Times, Farmers, IOWA NEB, MINN, Water Resources Research, Department of Agriculture, ”, U.S . Department of Agriculture Economic Research Service, Aviation, Delta Air Lines, Ethanol Company, University of Illinois, Ethanol, ” Industry, Nebraska Farmers Union, Sunrise, Reserve Locations: America, Ohio, Washington, Minnesota, Nebraska, MINN, WIS, MICH, IOWA, IOWA NEB . OHIO, . MO, KAN . MO, KAN, In Kansas, Glenwood, Minn, ”, Japan, Germany, U.S, Chippewa, Benson, Omaha, ., KAN ., Cairo, Neb, Iowa, Wisconsin, University of Illinois Urbana, Champaign, Wood, China, Foxhome, Platte, . Nebraska

NAPERVILLE, Illinois, Nov 28 (Reuters) - It is rare that U.S. corn supplies build in a marketing year while soybean supplies slip, but that is exactly what is happening in 2023-24, keeping soybean prices relatively elevated versus corn. The U.S. Department of Agriculture pegs total U.S. corn supplies in 2023-24 to rise 10% on the year, while soybean inventory is seen shrinking 3%. U.S. corn versus soybean supply: Year-on-yearThe 2007-08 rise in corn and fall in soybean supplies was policy-driven, and the only other recent, directionally similar year was 2003-04, when the U.S. soybean crop fell victim to rare, widespread pest issues as well as dry weather. USDA’s long-term projections issued earlier this month suggest just that, pegging 2024 U.S. corn acres at 91 million and soybeans at 87 million versus 83.6 million in 2023. Interestingly, USDA in the couple of years leading up to 2007-08 had also overestimated U.S. soybean acres in March and undershot corn.

Persons: Karen Braun, Matthew Lewis Organizations: U.S . Department, Agriculture, USDA, Crop Watch, Reuters, Thomson Locations: NAPERVILLE , Illinois, U.S, Chicago, North Dakota

WASHINGTON, Nov 29 (Reuters) - The U.S. Department of Agriculture said on Tuesday it will extend for up to 90 days a trial program that allows six U.S. pork plants to operate faster processing-line speeds while collecting data on how the speeds affect meatpacking workers. Some activist groups like Food & Water Watch had opposed the program as a risk to food safety. A judge in 2021 invalidated that rule after the United Food and Commercial Workers (UFCW) union, which represents many meatpacking workers, sued the USDA over worker safety concerns. Plants in the trial were also assigned to collect data on how line speeds affect workers and share it with the U.S. Occupational Safety and Health Administration. Reporting by Tom Polansek in Chicago and Leah Douglas in Washington; Editing by Bernadette BaumOur Standards: The Thomson Reuters Trust Principles.

Persons: Tyson, JBS's, UFCW, Tom Polansek, Leah Douglas, Bernadette Baum Organizations: U.S . Department of Agriculture, Tyson, JBS SA, Water Watch, JBS's Swift Pork Company, Companies, United Food, Commercial Workers, U.S . Occupational Safety, Health Administration, U.S . Senate, Thomson Locations: Nebraska, Illinois, U.S, Chicago, Washington

Money managers’ net short in CBOT wheat futures and options rose to a 23-week high of 108,176 futures and options contracts as of Nov. 21 versus 89,271 a week earlier. That is funds’ most bearish corn stance since June 2020. wheat futures and optionsFunds’ Minneapolis wheat views remain near record-bearish, though they were slight net buyers in the week ended Nov. 21. On Monday, CBOT corn and all U.S. hard and soft wheat futures hit contract lows during trading, including the lowest price for most-active corn since December 2020. Open interest in CBOT soybean meal futures and options surged 4% during the week to another record of 671,039 contracts.

Persons: soyoil, Karen Braun, Matthew Lewis Organizations: U.S . Department of Agriculture, Reuters, Thomson Locations: NAPERVILLE , Illinois, South America, Chicago, Kansas City, Minneapolis, K.C, U.S, Brazil

It's part of a statewide program requiring larger businesses to donate edible food and, if they can, recycle remaining food scraps. In 2015, the U.S. Department of Agriculture and Environmental Protection Agency announced a goal of 50% food waste reduction by 2030. California and Vermont have launched programs converting residents’ food waste into compost or energy, while Connecticut requires businesses, including larger food wholesalers and supermarkets, to recycle food waste. This is the problem.”Despite New York's success, advocates for food waste worry not enough is being done to meet the 2030 goal. “The best solution for food waste is to not have it in the first place,” Bender said.

Persons: —, Sean Rafferty, wasn't, Rafferty, ”, Emily Broad Leib, Broad Leib, we’re, Sally Rowland, Danielle Vasquez, Vasquez, Betsy Quiroa, Quiroa, Kathryn Bender, ” Bender, let's, ” ___ Casey Organizations: Harvard Food Law, Policy Clinic, The U.S, Harvard University, Food Law, U.S . Department of Agriculture, Environmental Protection Agency, District of Columbia, New York, New, New York State, Westchester, Carver, Port, Social Security, University of Delaware Locations: New York, ” New York, United States, U.S, California, Vermont, Connecticut, Farmers, Maryland, New, Rhode, Massachusetts, Westchester County, Port Chester's, Westchester, ., Boston

In Canada, the wild pigs roaming Alberta, Saskatchewan and Manitoba pose a new threat. Wild pigs already cause around $2.5 billion in damage to U.S. crops every year, mostly in southern states like Texas. Eradication of wild pigs is no longer possible in Manitoba and Saskatchewan, Brook said. “The question is: What will be done about it?”Brook said Montana has been the most serious about keeping wild pigs out. It banned raising and transporting wild pigs within the state.

Persons: Ryan Brook, they've, Brook, They've, “, ” Brook, Gary Nohrenberg, Mike Marlow, ” Marlow Organizations: University of Saskatchewan, Canada -, state’s Department of Natural Resources, U.S . Department of Agriculture, USDA Wildlife Services, Wildlife Services, USDA, Feral Swine Locations: MINNEAPOLIS, Canada, Minnesota, North Dakota, Montana, Alberta, Saskatchewan, Manitoba, North America, Texas, Canada - North Dakota, Vermont , New York , Pennsylvania, New Hampshire , Wisconsin, Washington

☆ Money tips for single moms: 'It can be very challenging to raise kids on one income,' advisor says
▼ + stars: | 2023-11-22 | by ( Annie Nova | ) www.cnbc.com time to read: +3 min

"It can be very challenging to raise kids on one income," said Cathy Curtis, founder and CEO of Curtis Financial Planning in Oakland, California. Experts shared these 3 financial tips for single mothers. After accounting for fixed expenses, Curtis said, "closely monitor and budget for variable and miscellaneous expenses." Single mothers also should make sure they're preparing for their own future, said Jennifer Bush, a certified financial planner with Mainstreet Financial Planning in San Jose, California. To manage fears and be prepared for such a scenario, Curtis said, single mothers should take some additional precautions.

Persons: Christopher Hopefitch, Cathy Curtis, Curtis, That'll, Jennifer Bush, Bush, Emma Johnson, Johnson Organizations: Bank, Getty, National Women's Law, U.S . Department of Agriculture, Curtis Financial, CNBC FA, Fidelity Investments Locations: Oakland , California, overspending, San Jose , California

The U.S. Department of Agriculture’s ” plant hardiness zone map ” was updated Wednesday for the first time in a decade, and it shows the impact that climate change will have on gardens and yards across the country. One key figure on the map is the lowest likely winter temperature in a given region, which is important for determining which plants may survive the season. It's calculated by averaging the lowest winter temperatures of the past 30 years. Winter temperatures and nighttime temperatures are rising faster than daytime and summer temperatures, Primack said, which is why the lowest winter temperature is changing faster than the U.S. temperature overall. “There are a lot of downsides to the warmer winter temperatures, too,” said Theresa Crimmins, who studies climate change and growing seasons at the University of Arizona and was not involved in creating the map.

Persons: Chris Daly, Richard Primack, ” Primack, Primack, ”, Theresa Crimmins Organizations: WASHINGTON, The U.S . Department, Oregon, Agricultural Research Service, Boston University, University of Arizona, Associated Press Health, Science Department, Howard Hughes Medical Institute’s Science, Educational Media Group, AP Locations: Boston, The, U.S

Veterinary laboratories in several states are investigating an unusual respiratory illness in dogs, and encouraging people to take basic precautions to keep their pets healthy as veterinarians try to pin down what's making the animals sick. Oregon, Colorado and New Hampshire are among the states that have seen cases of the illness, which has caused lasting respiratory disease and pneumonia and does not respond to antibiotics. Symptoms of respiratory illness in dogs include coughing, sneezing, nasal or eye discharge and lethargy. Some cases of the pneunomia progress quickly, making dogs very sick within 24 to 36 hours. Dogs have died, said Kurt Williams, director of the Oregon Veterinary Diagnostic Laboratory at Oregon State University.

Persons: Kurt Williams, Williams, David Needle, Robert Wood Johnson Organizations: Oregon Department of Agriculture, U.S . Department of, National Veterinary Services Laboratory, Oregon Veterinary Diagnostic, Oregon State University, University of New, Diagnostic, Hubbard, for Genome Research, Associated Press Health, Science Department, Robert Wood Johnson Foundation, AP Locations: Oregon , Colorado, New Hampshire, Oregon, University of New Hampshire's New Hampshire, Rhode Island , New Hampshire, Massachusetts

The trend worries some U.S. lawmakers who fear corporate interest will make agricultural land unaffordable for the next generation of farmers. Investment firm acquisitions are also outpacing farmland purchases by foreign entities, according to data from the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA). Lawmakers debated this year whether to curtail foreign farmland ownership, concerned that adversaries might buy land to exert political influence. "If the next generation isn’t enticed to come back to the farm," he said, "then who’s going to own that land?" About 60% of U.S. farmland is farmer-owned and -operated, with the rest owned by non-farmer operators including individuals, trusts, and corporations, according to USDA.

Persons: Nuveen, Paul Schadegg, Tim Gibbons, isn’t, It’s, David Gladstone, Gladstone, Cory Booker, Bruce Sherrick, Leah Douglas, Richard Valdmanis, Anna Driver Organizations: Investment, Reuters, Manulife Investment Management, National Council of Real Estate Investment, United Nations, U.S . Department of Agriculture, Lawmakers, Senate, National Defense, Farmers National Company, Missouri Rural Crisis Center, USDA, Gladstone, Agriculture Committee, TIAA, Research, University of Illinois, Thomson Locations: U.S, United, China, Russia, Iran, North Korea, Missouri

The 4.6 million birds killed this year compares to the nearly 58 million birds the U.S. Department of Agriculture said were slaughtered last year in the first year of the outbreak. Retail turkey prices aren't tracked the same way, but USDA reports show that wholesale frozen turkey prices averaged $1.15 per pound in October, down from last year's $1.79 per pound and the previous year's $1.35 per pound. “I think there should be a lot of relief coming in the holiday season.”A combination of factors contributed to the sharp drop in bird flu cases this year. Officials say bird flu doesn’t represent a significant health threat. Bird flu vaccines are being developed and might help in the future, but at this point they remain impractical.

Persons: ”, Denise Heard, haven't, they're, “, Jada Thompson, ” Heard, hasn't, It’s, John Clifford Organizations: U.S . Department of Agriculture, U.S . Poultry, Egg Association, U.S . Bureau of Labor Statistics, National Turkey Federation, University of Arkansas, Farmers, USDA, Export, USA, Egg Export Council Locations: OMAHA, Neb, Minnesota , Iowa, South Dakota, Iowa, Minnesota, Indiana, Turkey, United States

Additionally, tightness in U.S. soybean meal supplies related to Argentina’s extreme crop shortfall earlier this year has lent significant support to soybean and soymeal futures lately. Managed money net position in CBOT soybean futures and optionsIt was funds’ biggest net buying week in soybeans since early April, and both new longs and short-covering played an instrumental role. Managed money net position in CBOT soybean meal futures and optionsThe new managed money meal long is the biggest since mid-March and the largest ever for the date. CBOT soybean meal on Monday traded up the daily limit at one point, reaching the most-active contract’s highest since mid-March and notching another contract high for December meal. Most-active CBOT soybeans on Monday hit their highest price since Aug. 31, and most-active corn futures rose 2.9%, their biggest single-day percentage gain since July 24.

Persons: Karen Braun, Leslie Adler Organizations: U.S . Commodity Futures Trading Commission, China, U.S . Department of Agriculture, Reuters, Thomson Locations: NAPERVILLE, Ill, Brazil, Chicago

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