Agriculture Shorts

The USDA National Agricultural Statistics Service (NASS) reported the Nebraska inventory of hogs and pigs was 3.65 million head on September 1, down 4% from last year . . . A Lincoln Journal Star editorial noted only 24 licensed hemp farmers of the 125 licenses which have been issued are currently active under the Nebraska Hemp Farming Act passed in 2019 . . . Heidi Beguin of the Flatwater Free Press reported that Nebraska state had 204 rural grocery stores in 2021, a nearly 30% drop from the 290 that existed in 2016 . . . Brazil's Fuel of the Future program seeks to boost the use of biofuels in the country. Under the program, Brazil is expected to raise the ethanol blend rate from 27.5% to 30% and the blend content of biodiesel to 20% . . . The latest inflation figures from the Bureau of Labor Statistics showed food at home prices rose at an annual rate of 1.3% in September, food away from home rose 3.9%, and eggs rose 39.6% . . . Damage from hurricanes Helene and Milton to large potash production facilities in Florida could cause supply problems in potash markets. The supply glitches are hitting just as demand is rising. Many farmers will apply potash after harvest is complete.