This Week in Ag #87

Seasonal migration isn’t just for the birds. Or the snowbirds heading to Arizona. Some of nature’s most majestic and essential creatures are now making their way southward: butterflies. These winged beauties are prolific pollinators of crops, landscapes, wildflowers and gardens. Three-quarters of all food crops worldwide are somewhat or heavily dependent on pollinators such as butterflies. Monarch butterflies are known for their seasonal migrations, often trekking thousands of miles. While they may lack aeronautical design, Monarchs can travel 100 miles per day. Females lay their eggs on the underside leaves of milkweeds, which are toxic plants to most animals. The caterpillars feed on the leaves, ingest the toxins, and retain it as a butterfly. The distinct markings on the monarch’s wings act like a skull and crossbones to predators, as feeding upon them will make predators very sick, so they will avoid these orange and black beauties. A few years ago, I established a National Wildlife Federation certified habitat in my backyard (similar to what Larry Cooper has done at Huma), consisting of nectar-producing zinnias, lantana and verbena. It hosts butterflies much of the year – including Monarchs and the gorgeous Gulf Fritillary – but during the fall it’s as busy as a rest stop along a major interstate. Some butterflies even use this pit stop as a mating ground. I can count dozens of these fluttering creatures at any one time during the day.

Shaped like an hourglass is how you could describe today’s beef industry. You have lots of producers (nearly 1 million strong in the USA, with an average herd size is 40 cows), very few processors, and lots of retailers (stores and restaurants). But unlike an hourglass, the squeezing in the beef market seems to occur at the top and bottom. Consider that in 1980 the four largest packers processed 36% of all beef. Today, just four packers – Cargill, Tyson, JBS and National Beef Packing – process over 80% of all beef. Given limited options, producers, and even retailers, can be at the mercy of food processors. In recent years, we’ve seen increased spreads between cattle prices and wholesale beef prices, along with the removal of excess capacity at the plants. While this has not gone unnoticed – USDA has invested $325 million recently to expand processing capacity and strengthen the food supply chain – the big four have continued to have their way, so to speak. Until now. Enter the world’s largest beef buyer, McDonalds. The Golden Arches is suing the Big 4, claiming, “a monopoly in which direct purchasers were forced to buy at prices dictated by (the meat packers).” McDonalds alleges this has been going on for over a decade. It will be interesting to follow this battle among super heavyweights, as it may have implications across the entire food chain. Here’s hoping that when the dust settles, there’s something in it for the producers and consumers.

October is #BreastCancerAwareness Month. One in eight women are affected by breast cancer. It is a disease that touches nearly everyone’s life. For the past few years, Prairie State Tractor, a John Deere dealer in northern Illinois, has teamed with Kelso & Company to promote and design t-shirts to raise awareness within the agricultural community. You can purchase it here. A group of prominent social media influencers, including our friend @AgWithEmma, have lent their voices in the movement to “Shuck Cancer.”