Farmers are not to blame for a more costly Memorial Day cookout this year

Your Memorial Day cookout will likely cost more this year. New numbers from Rabobank show they are hitting new highs but say it is not the fault of your neighborhood farmer.

“Inputs for farmers are up about 10% against the long-run averages on a real basis. But we’re also still in the process of realigning global trade flows. The era of unburdened shipping is behind us for now. At least. We are also seeing regulatory costs associated with changing ingredients around MAHA as one example. Another factor that companies are looking at, some are already reformulating to phase out food guides. Labor costs also remain elevated, nearly 1% above long-run averages,” said Tom Bailey.

Last year’s Memorial Day barbeque costs were up around two percent compared to 2023. This year, Rabobank says they are up more than four percent over last year’s gains.

Related Stories
These Easy Roast Beef Sliders are perfect for potlucks and parties, or a quick and easy dinner main dish you can prepare in advance. Thinly sliced Deli Roast Beef is sandwiched between rolls and baked with cheese until golden and delicious.
Memorial Day is a day to remember and honor military personnel who died while serving in the armed forces. We wanted to share some songs that honor this day and pay tribute to those soldiers.
The favorite foods of the political elite have enamored Americans for centuries. From finding out what the president sneaks for a midnight snack at the White House, or snickering at photos of candidates testing out local fare on the campaign trail — Americans love to watch our lawmakers eat!
In Arkansas, farm groups have partnered with lawmakers to help furloughed or unemployed members of the military find on-the-farm jobs.

LATEST STORIES BY THIS AUTHOR:

Kate Walker has the story, highlighting how students are learning to protect and preserve natural resources while gaining valuable technical and teamwork skills.
The Summit Cup is the fourth and final event in the Major League Fishing Team Series. Catch the action live on RFD-TV, starting on Sunday, November 16.
Experts highlight the importance of monitoring insecticide resistance in crops and improving disease traceability at livestock shows through RFID technology.
Lewie Pugh, with the Owner-Operator Independent Drivers Association, joined us on Monday’s Market Day Report to share his perspective on what the bill could mean for truckers.
With port fees now lifted, economists believe that could help ease tensions. However, American Farm Bureau Federation (AFBF) economist Faith Parum said trade deals with smaller Asian countries are helping stabilize the ag economy.