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7 ag stories you can’t miss – October 25, 2024

Catch up on the McDonald’s E. coli outbreak, tips to prevent combine fires, low Mississippi River water levels and more!

Rachel Schutte, Content Producer

October 25, 2024

3 Min Read
7 ag stories you can't miss
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Did you miss some news this week? We’ve got you covered. Here’s a collection of the top headlines in agriculture.

Tips to curb the combine fire epidemic

Fire risk is high across much of the heartland this fall. Mechanical failure is a leading cause of combine fires, and three-fourths start in the engine compartment. However, a combustible material is also needed to fuel a fire. That’s where debris buildup comes into play. Check out 10 expert tips to reduce the risk of combine fires and minimize damage if one occurs. – Nebraska Farmer

Court decision affects life insurance strategy

Many family farm businesses with multiple owners purchase life insurance through the business entity to fund a buyout of a deceased owner’s interest in the business. In Connelly v. United States, the U.S. Supreme Court ruled that a life insurance policy payable to a business for the purpose of buying out a deceased owner’s interest should be included for estate tax purposes as part of the company’s value. Learn more about what this means.  – Ohio Farmer

McDonald’s investigates onions as source of E. coli outbreak

McDonald’s is facing questions over food safety after the Center for Disease Control on Tuesday tied an E. coli outbreak to Quarter Pounders. According to the CDC, 49 people across 10 states became sick, and most of the affected consumers were from Colorado or Nebraska. Ten people were hospitalized and one individual died. – Agriculture Dive

Related:This isn’t the ‘80s

Mississippi River dries up at worst time for farmers

The Mississippi River is suffering from low waters for the third straight autumn. Limited rainfall has left the river so shallow that barges are starting to run aground, even after shippers started running lighter loads to prevent boats from hitting the river bottom. Shipping costs are currently about 55% above the average for the past five years, creating a disadvantage for the world market. – Bloomberg

Poultry workers contract avian flu in Washington

The U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention confirmed two of the four presumptive bird flu cases among poultry farm workers in Washington state. The agency also ruled out bird flu infections among healthcare workers who tended to a person who contracted the virus in Missouri. All but one of the 31 confirmed U.S. human cases of bird flu have been among farm workers who had contact with infected poultry or dairy cows. – Reuters

With winter on the horizon, now is the time to start planning for next season. Farm Progress staff fanned out across this year’s Farm Progress Show and Husker Harvest Days to find the latest and largest mowers on the market. From autonomous machines to flex-wings, modern mowers prioritize user experience and comfort — without skimping on efficiency. – Farm Progress

Related:What is the most undervalued commodity in agriculture?

Is this a repeat of the ‘80s?

The Farm Financial Crisis of the 1980s is seemingly manifested with each disheartening report of low farm income or high interest rates, slim margins or poor prices. In contrast, bankers, economists and financial advisors looking at today’s numbers see significant differences – largely positive advantages – for farmers to weather the current financial storm. – Farm Futures

About the Author

Rachel Schutte

Content Producer, Farm Futures

Rachel grew up in central Wisconsin and earned a B.S. in soil and crop science from the University of Wisconsin - Platteville. Before joining the Farm Futures team, Rachel spent time in the field as an agronomist before transitioning to the world of marketing and communications. She now resides in northeast Iowa where she enjoys raising bottle calves and farming corn and soybeans alongside her husband and his family.

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