Anne Schechinger
@anneschech.bsky.social
Data, agriculture, food, CAFOs, sustainability, climate change, water, policy. Former Michigander and Iowan, current Minnesotan. Views are my own.
Reposted by Anne Schechinger
Agricultural exceptionalism manifests itself in many ways in the US. Amping up the “poor farmer” narrative is consistently one of them. Ignoring logic is another: this is the president the farm lobby wanted, and his policy* approach was clear.
*I really hesitate to call any of this mess “policy”.
*I really hesitate to call any of this mess “policy”.
A lot of comments this week about how bad farm income will be this year, when USDA's numbers show that farm income will go down... (checks notes) 0.7% in 2026. Still above the 20-year average and a less than 1% decrease vs 2025 farm income. Sky falling? farmpolicynews.illinois.edu/2026/02/farm...
Farm Income to Fall in 2026 Despite Hefty Gov't Payments - Farm Policy News
In a sign of growing stress for U.S. farmers, the Agriculture Department forecast on Thursday that U.S. net farm income would fall 0.7% this year, despite near-record government payments that are expe...
farmpolicynews.illinois.edu
February 6, 2026 at 10:51 PM
Agricultural exceptionalism manifests itself in many ways in the US. Amping up the “poor farmer” narrative is consistently one of them. Ignoring logic is another: this is the president the farm lobby wanted, and his policy* approach was clear.
*I really hesitate to call any of this mess “policy”.
*I really hesitate to call any of this mess “policy”.
A lot of comments this week about how bad farm income will be this year, when USDA's numbers show that farm income will go down... (checks notes) 0.7% in 2026. Still above the 20-year average and a less than 1% decrease vs 2025 farm income. Sky falling? farmpolicynews.illinois.edu/2026/02/farm...
Farm Income to Fall in 2026 Despite Hefty Gov't Payments - Farm Policy News
In a sign of growing stress for U.S. farmers, the Agriculture Department forecast on Thursday that U.S. net farm income would fall 0.7% this year, despite near-record government payments that are expe...
farmpolicynews.illinois.edu
February 6, 2026 at 7:53 PM
A lot of comments this week about how bad farm income will be this year, when USDA's numbers show that farm income will go down... (checks notes) 0.7% in 2026. Still above the 20-year average and a less than 1% decrease vs 2025 farm income. Sky falling? farmpolicynews.illinois.edu/2026/02/farm...
I have a lot of thoughts about this, but surprising to see this many 'ag leaders,' including commodity groups, actually being publicly critical of Trump Admin policies. farmpolicynews.illinois.edu/2026/02/ag-l...
Ag Leaders Warn of Risk of 'Widespread Collapse of American Agriculture' - Farm Policy News
A bipartisan group of former leaders of America's major agricultural commodity associations and biofuels organizations, farmer leaders, and former senior USDA officials sent congressional ag leaders a...
farmpolicynews.illinois.edu
February 5, 2026 at 5:13 PM
I have a lot of thoughts about this, but surprising to see this many 'ag leaders,' including commodity groups, actually being publicly critical of Trump Admin policies. farmpolicynews.illinois.edu/2026/02/ag-l...
This piece does a really good job describing the fear that parents and kids are feeling every day in the Twin Cities. Constant worry that anytime we leave the house we could encounter ICE, and that kids will be traumatized witnessing the violence. www.nytimes.com/2026/02/04/o...
Opinion | Welcome to the Resistance, Public School Parents
www.nytimes.com
February 4, 2026 at 3:52 PM
This piece does a really good job describing the fear that parents and kids are feeling every day in the Twin Cities. Constant worry that anytime we leave the house we could encounter ICE, and that kids will be traumatized witnessing the violence. www.nytimes.com/2026/02/04/o...
It was great talking with @byng.bsky.social for this @sentientmedia.org piece. Sales of antibiotics for use in livestock went up almost 16% between 2023 and 2024, which was the largest increase in many years. And no one seems to be able to explain why.
A rising number of antibiotic drugs that are essential for human health are now being sold for use in farm animals, data released by @fda.gov shows. @byng.bsky.social reports:
Sales of Antibiotics for Farm Animals Jumped 16%, FDA Data Shows
The sharp one-year increase is raising concerns among public health experts.
buff.ly
February 2, 2026 at 10:17 PM
It was great talking with @byng.bsky.social for this @sentientmedia.org piece. Sales of antibiotics for use in livestock went up almost 16% between 2023 and 2024, which was the largest increase in many years. And no one seems to be able to explain why.
It was a good experience giving a presentation at the Great Northern Winter Festival in Minneapolis this weekend. I spoke about agriculture's greenhouse gas emissions and the conservation practices that can reduce emissions during the festival's Climate Solutions Series. thegreatnorthernfestival.com
February 2, 2026 at 5:27 PM
It was a good experience giving a presentation at the Great Northern Winter Festival in Minneapolis this weekend. I spoke about agriculture's greenhouse gas emissions and the conservation practices that can reduce emissions during the festival's Climate Solutions Series. thegreatnorthernfestival.com
Reposted by Anne Schechinger
Next time someone asks you about energy and land use, maybe remind them that the ~35 million acres that currently grow corn for ethanol in the US could produce ~15 PWh per year of electricity from solar photovoltaics. That's ~3.5 times more than *total annual generation from all US power plants*.
February 1, 2026 at 8:55 PM
Next time someone asks you about energy and land use, maybe remind them that the ~35 million acres that currently grow corn for ethanol in the US could produce ~15 PWh per year of electricity from solar photovoltaics. That's ~3.5 times more than *total annual generation from all US power plants*.
He "applauds Trump and Rollins," but writes an entire op-ed about how their policies are bad for farmers. www.foxnews.com/opinion/im-a...
I'm an American farmer — empty USDA offices means fewer family farms
Conservation programs like Environmental Quality Incentives Program face delivery challenges as USDA loses thousands of employees, forcing farmers to wait longer.
www.foxnews.com
January 29, 2026 at 5:40 PM
He "applauds Trump and Rollins," but writes an entire op-ed about how their policies are bad for farmers. www.foxnews.com/opinion/im-a...
Reposted by Anne Schechinger
please remember that no matter how many “ICE is losing in MN” articles you read today, there is still a very real, urgent, ongoing crisis in Minnesota.
people need food and they need rent money. that has not changed.
people need food and they need rent money. that has not changed.
January 28, 2026 at 2:55 PM
please remember that no matter how many “ICE is losing in MN” articles you read today, there is still a very real, urgent, ongoing crisis in Minnesota.
people need food and they need rent money. that has not changed.
people need food and they need rent money. that has not changed.
Reposted by Anne Schechinger
They are using ICE's occupation of Minnesota to distract us from other terrible decisions they are making about our state.
House Republicans vote to lift 20-year ban on mining near pristine Boundary Waters Canoe Area
House Republicans vote to lift 20-year ban on mining near pristine Boundary Waters Canoe Area
House Republicans vote to lift 20-year ban on mining near pristine Boundary Waters Canoe Area
www.independent.co.uk
January 22, 2026 at 2:40 PM
They are using ICE's occupation of Minnesota to distract us from other terrible decisions they are making about our state.
Wish this hadn't been cut from SNL this past weekend. www.startribune.com/saturday-nig...
‘Saturday Night Live’ tribute to Minnesotans gets zapped at last minute
NBC has made Tommy Brennan’s editorial available online.
www.startribune.com
January 21, 2026 at 10:36 PM
Wish this hadn't been cut from SNL this past weekend. www.startribune.com/saturday-nig...
My new piece for @ewgofficial.bsky.social released today: New data from the FDA show sales of medically important antibiotics for use in livestock rose 15.8% from 2023 to 2024, a greater increase than in any recent years after a sharp decline between 2015 and 2017. www.ewg.org/news-insight...
Sharp rise in livestock antibiotic use threatens life-saving medications
The sale of medically important antibiotics for use in livestock surged in 2024, raising serious concerns about overuse of these medications worsening drug resistance.
www.ewg.org
January 21, 2026 at 3:58 PM
My new piece for @ewgofficial.bsky.social released today: New data from the FDA show sales of medically important antibiotics for use in livestock rose 15.8% from 2023 to 2024, a greater increase than in any recent years after a sharp decline between 2015 and 2017. www.ewg.org/news-insight...
From @politico.com Morning Ag: "Internet personalities, a former NBA player and activists who oppose transgender women participating in women’s sports have started appearing on USDA’s Instagram account promoting whole milk." Anti-trans activists in milk campaigns. I don't know where we go from here.
January 16, 2026 at 9:00 PM
From @politico.com Morning Ag: "Internet personalities, a former NBA player and activists who oppose transgender women participating in women’s sports have started appearing on USDA’s Instagram account promoting whole milk." Anti-trans activists in milk campaigns. I don't know where we go from here.
Elon musk is worth $700B, but sure the rest of us should only eat a piece of chicken, broccoli and a tortilla. Make it make sense. www.theguardian.com/us-news/2026...
Tortilla, broccoli, ‘a piece of chicken’: US agriculture secretary mocked for ‘money-saving’ meal
Brooke Rollins claimed meal featuring tortilla, broccoli, chicken and ‘one other thing’ can cost around $3
www.theguardian.com
January 16, 2026 at 2:44 PM
Elon musk is worth $700B, but sure the rest of us should only eat a piece of chicken, broccoli and a tortilla. Make it make sense. www.theguardian.com/us-news/2026...
Reposted by Anne Schechinger
Trying to fix OBBBA SNAP issues and increasing support for small family farms is good. But a Minnesotan introducing a #farmsubsidy bill in DC when MN is being terrorized by federal agents and the Insurrection Act is being threatened is like ????? democrats-agriculture.house.gov/news/documen...
Ranking Member Angie Craig Unveils Farm and Family Relief Act Framework
democrats-agriculture.house.gov
January 15, 2026 at 3:43 PM
Trying to fix OBBBA SNAP issues and increasing support for small family farms is good. But a Minnesotan introducing a #farmsubsidy bill in DC when MN is being terrorized by federal agents and the Insurrection Act is being threatened is like ????? democrats-agriculture.house.gov/news/documen...
In 2025, Brazil became the world's top beef producer, replacing the U.S. www.reuters.com/world/china/...
Brazil surpassing US as top beef producer, easing global supply squeeze
If the official numbers confirm market estimates, 2025 will be the first year that Brazil's output will have surpassed U.S. production.
www.reuters.com
January 14, 2026 at 3:29 PM
In 2025, Brazil became the world's top beef producer, replacing the U.S. www.reuters.com/world/china/...
Just a reminder when news like this comes out that corn farmers will be getting payments from at least 3 farm subsidy programs in 2026. Corn prices being lower and input prices being higher is far from the whole story. farmpolicynews.illinois.edu/2026/01/usda...
USDA Says 2025 Corn Production Hit 17 Billion Bushels, Likely to Keep Prices Low - Farm Policy News
Corn futures plunged to the lowest levels since August after USDA stunned the market by boosting its 2025 U.S. crop estimate above 17 billion bushels for the first time, signaling a heavy supply outlo...
farmpolicynews.illinois.edu
January 13, 2026 at 2:42 PM
Just a reminder when news like this comes out that corn farmers will be getting payments from at least 3 farm subsidy programs in 2026. Corn prices being lower and input prices being higher is far from the whole story. farmpolicynews.illinois.edu/2026/01/usda...
Can confirm that this is true, and also disgusting and reprehensible. What is happening right now in the Twin Cities is hard even to describe, but the fear is extreme for so many. www.startribune.com/ice-detainin...
Tribal leaders say ICE is detaining American Indians during immigration sweeps
The Oglala Sioux Tribe is trying to locate four members detained by ICE agents in Minneapolis.
www.startribune.com
January 12, 2026 at 9:34 PM
Can confirm that this is true, and also disgusting and reprehensible. What is happening right now in the Twin Cities is hard even to describe, but the fear is extreme for so many. www.startribune.com/ice-detainin...
Farmer Bridge Assistance payments are based on the # of acres that were planted in 2025, meaning the program was designed to send more money to large farms. And a farmer and their spouse would have to farm >8,000 corn/bean acres to hit the payment limit. farmdocdaily.illinois.edu/2026/01/farm...
Farmer Bridge Assistance Program Payment Rates - farmdoc daily
Nick Paulson, Gary Schnitkey, Jonathan Coppess, and Carl Zulauf - The USDA recently announced payment rates for row crops eligible for the Farmer Bridge Assistance Program. Acres planted to corn ($44....
farmdocdaily.illinois.edu
January 7, 2026 at 5:09 PM
Farmer Bridge Assistance payments are based on the # of acres that were planted in 2025, meaning the program was designed to send more money to large farms. And a farmer and their spouse would have to farm >8,000 corn/bean acres to hit the payment limit. farmdocdaily.illinois.edu/2026/01/farm...
Minnesota folks: join me at the Great Northern Winter Festival at the end of the month! I'll be speaking about how sustainable agriculture in the Midwest can reduce greenhouse gas emissions, as part of the festival's Climate Solutions Series, on Jan 31st. thegreatnorthernfestival.com/event/insigh...
January 5, 2026 at 8:06 PM
Minnesota folks: join me at the Great Northern Winter Festival at the end of the month! I'll be speaking about how sustainable agriculture in the Midwest can reduce greenhouse gas emissions, as part of the festival's Climate Solutions Series, on Jan 31st. thegreatnorthernfestival.com/event/insigh...
Will be interesting to see how much EQIP and CSP funding actually goes to farmers this year, given that NRCS lost 22% of their staff in the first half of 2025 alone. farmpolicynews.illinois.edu/2025/12/2000...
20,000 Employees Left USDA in First Half of 2025 - Farm Policy News
More than 20,300 employees left the U.S. Department of Agriculture in the first five months of the administration of President Donald Trump, about a fifth of staff, according to a report from the agen...
farmpolicynews.illinois.edu
January 5, 2026 at 3:46 PM
Will be interesting to see how much EQIP and CSP funding actually goes to farmers this year, given that NRCS lost 22% of their staff in the first half of 2025 alone. farmpolicynews.illinois.edu/2025/12/2000...
Me on @npr.org's Morning Edition last week talking about the new farm bailout: "Essentially, the President is sending taxpayer money to farmers to paper over the problems that his own tariffs have caused."
www.npr.org/2025/12/11/n...
www.npr.org/2025/12/11/n...
Farmers say Trump administration's $12 billion bailout won't fix long-term problems
The Trump administration is giving farmers a $12 billion bailout. Critics say the money won't be enough, won't be distributed fairly and won't address long-term problems.
www.npr.org
December 15, 2025 at 9:06 PM
Me on @npr.org's Morning Edition last week talking about the new farm bailout: "Essentially, the President is sending taxpayer money to farmers to paper over the problems that his own tariffs have caused."
www.npr.org/2025/12/11/n...
www.npr.org/2025/12/11/n...
Me in the @startribune.com today: "The main problem with this program is that it’s like all of the other farm subsidy programs. It’s sending money to the largest farms, and it’s not going to help people who are really struggling with this economic uncertainty.” www.startribune.com/what-to-know...
What Trump’s bailout means for Minnesota farmers
President Donald Trump unveiled an $11 billion bailout earlier this week. The aid package might not be enough to make up for farming losses.
www.startribune.com
December 11, 2025 at 10:23 PM
Me in the @startribune.com today: "The main problem with this program is that it’s like all of the other farm subsidy programs. It’s sending money to the largest farms, and it’s not going to help people who are really struggling with this economic uncertainty.” www.startribune.com/what-to-know...