Cropland values up 14.3 percent: Based on a survey of landowners, U.S. cropland was worth an average $5,050 an acre this year, up $630 an acre from 2021, with the largest increases in the Midwest and Plains. Values surged 24.5 percent in Kansas, 21.5 in Nebraska and 19.7 percent in Iowa. (USDA)
Food index falls sharply: The Food Price Index dropped 8.6 percent in July, its fourth monthly decline in a row after climbing to a record high in March following Russia’s invasion of Ukraine, with vegetable oil prices plummeting to a 10-month low and grain prices declining 11.5 percent. (Food and Agriculture Organization)
Newhouse tops Trump acolyte: Rep. Dan Newhouse, a member of the House Appropriations subcommittee that oversees USDA and FDA spending, led all candidates, including a fellow Republican endorsed by Donald Trump, in a “jungle” primary in Washington State. He will face Democrat Doug White, a farmer, in the general election. (Tri-City Herald)
Salmonella is an adulterant: As part of USDA’s efforts to reduce salmonella bacteria in poultry, the Food Safety and Inspection Service said it would declare salmonella to be an adulterant in breaded and stuffed raw chicken products. (USDA)
More soybeans in 2023: One out of every five crop producers plans to adjust their mix of crops in 2023 due to rising input costs; 46 percent of those farmers say they will plant more soybeans, 26 percent plan to sow more wheat and 21 percent say more corn. (Ag Economy Barometer)