The Daily Dirt — Morning Edition
Farmworker wage hikes, beef exports surge, and red-dye diesel confusion top the week's ag news. A briefing for Oct 8.
- Farmworker minimum wage in California rises to $19.75/hour under new state law, raising questions about cost impact for farm operators.
- U.S. beef exports to Taiwan and other markets surge in August, even as pork shipments to Mexico decline sharply year-over-year.
- Trump's executive order opens road use of red-dye diesel through year-end, but tax confusion persists as farmers weigh fuel savings.
- Livestock health alert: Epizootic Hemorrhagic Disease (EHD) continues spreading among cattle herds, threatening dairy and beef producers.
- USDA names Greg Ibach — former Nebraska agriculture director — as undersecretary for trade, signaling focus on international farm policy.
- A data-center moratorium passes in Oakland, the fifth Bay Area city to restrict these power-hungry facilities, reflecting growing regional energy concerns.
- Cattle futures face pressure as cutout prices fall, though slaughter rebounds and packer margins remain stable.
Morning, from the desk. A lot moving in farm and food policy this week.
California’s new wage floor is now law, pushing farmworker minimum wage to $19.75/hour. Industry groups are already warning the move will squeeze operations. The wage floor reflects real labor costs for farmworkers and their families, but the timing — against already tight farmer margins — is landing hard.
On the export side, U.S. beef shipments rose in August with “outstanding demand” from Taiwan, though pork destinations saw sharp declines. A bright spot for beef producers, at least for now.
The diesel story is getting attention. Trump’s executive order allows on-road use of red-dye diesel through year-end, which sounds like fuel-cost relief, but tax exemptions remain murky — farmers should verify with tax advisors before banking on savings.
Health alert: Epizootic Hemorrhagic Disease (EHD) is spreading in cattle and dairy herds, adding another cost threat to livestock operations. Meanwhile, cattle futures are sliding as cutout prices fall, though slaughter is rebounding and packer margins hold steady.
On the policy front: the USDA has named Greg Ibach — former Nebraska ag director — as undersecretary for trade, signaling where the administration’s ag focus will land on the international stage.
One more: Oakland became the fifth Bay Area city to pass a data-center moratorium, reflecting mounting concern about energy load and rural land competition in agricultural regions.
That’s the roundup. Watch the tax guidance on the diesel order and keep an eye on EHD reports. More tomorrow.
— Save US Farms Desk
- ABC7 Los Angeles — California farmworker wage floor
- Beef Magazine — August export surge
- Farm Progress — Red-dye diesel tax confusion
- Beef Magazine — EHD livestock threat
- Farm Progress — Greg Ibach USDA nomination
- Food & Water Watch — Oakland data-center moratorium
- Beef Magazine — Cattle futures and cutout prices