Soaring Fuel Costs Hit Grocery, Farm Budgets

At virtually every link in the nation’s food chain, the cost of oil is pushing expenses ever higher according to a San Diego Union-Tribune article. Retail bills for some food staples have risen at least 20 percent since 2006, and probably will continue an upward march. A gallon of gasoline could cost $7 within the next two years, some analysts say.

Farmers are paying more to fill their tractors with diesel for planting and harvesting. They are spending more for fertilizer, pesticides and plastic packaging, most of which are petroleum based. Dave Kranz, manager of media relations for the California Farm Bureau Federation, told the newspaper the high cost of fuel is rebounding through the entire agricultural economy.

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The Utah State Legislature met for its June Interim Session on June 18. Highlights of the days meetings can be found HERE.

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• Ag in the News - links to recent articles on Utah and American agriculture
• The July 2008 issue of the Utah Farm Bureau News is now online.
• The Utah Farm Bureau Federation Midyear Conference is being held July 17-18, 2008 in Park City, Utah. Click HERE for a conference agenda.
• Find current information on Utah's Farmers Markets HERE.
• Follow this link to the Utah Department of Agrictulture and Food to get the most up-to-date commodity and market prices available, including many of the local livestock auctions.
• Check the America's Heartland Web site for details on where and when the show airs in your market.
• Idaho Public Radio presents the weekly 'Diane Josephy Peavey Essay'. From the ranch outside Carey, Idaho, the author of Bitterbrush Country, Peavey writes narrates a weekly essay, providing an insiders view of the joys, struggles, and adventures of life in rural Idaho. This perspective can be shared by many in Utah.
• The Utah Department of Agriculture and Food, in conjunction with the University of California-Davis, are encouraging livestock producers to participate in an anonymous, Foot & Mouth Disease survey. Click HERE to read more and to get the link for the survey.

• Hotel Discounts. 20% Choice Hotels, including Comfort Inn, Quality Inn, Sleep Inn and Econo lodge. Save 10% off of the "Best Available Rate" for various hotel chains including Howard Johnson, Travelodge, Ramada and Days Inn with advance reservations.
• Sears Commercial and the Utah Farm Bureau have teamed up to provide an outstanding new member benefit! This benefit is not available through Sears Retail stores. CLICK HERE for more information on how to order.
• All-Day passes for Universal Studios or Legoland make great additions to a family's summer travel plans to Southern California in 2008.
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