In another sign of the times, more ag companies have announced they are making cuts to navigate the economy.
John Deere has told Iowa that it is letting around 100 people go from its Waterloo Works plant come the new year. It is the latest in several layoffs by the company. During their latest earnings report, Deere said demand is down and they will continue adjusting to remain competitive.
Butterball is also handing out pink slips. The company will close its Jonesboro, Arkansas plant, putting nearly 200 people out of work. The plant will close in early February, with production transferred to another facility. Butterball’s CEO says it was a difficult decision, and they will work with afffected employees.
Related Stories
Cheaper freight is helping exports move, especially corn, but weaker soybean demand looms large.
Disease risks remain a key factor to watch heading into fall.
American Farm Bureau Federation (AFBF) economist Danny Munch explains how the Emergency Livestock Relief Program application process differs from other USDA aid programs.
According to the National Council of Farmers Cooperatives (NCFC), President and CEO Chuck Conner says, there is only one other option besides addressing ag labor shortages.
For rural communities, this shift could mean new housing options for farmworkers and young families priced out of metro markets.
The modest cut should slightly reduce borrowing costs on operating loans, land notes, and equipment financing for agriculture, giving some relief to producers under heavy debt loads.