Kerry Halladay
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#Journalist covering #Water, people & produce. Past beats included #cattle, #Agriculture, & #DataScience | Views are my own I #BikeDen | ND NB 🏳️🌈⚛️
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Articles by Kerry Halladay
Heavier carcasses unlock value for Country Natural Beef ranchers
Country Natural Beef’s cattle became less feed efficient as the cooperative extended days on feed, but they also produced more beef and returned nearly $400 more per head to member ranches. Tylor Braden, CEO of Country Natural Beef, explained how retained ownership allows the producer-owned cooperative to follow cattle from ranch to harvest and determine where value was created. Braden presented the findings June 3 at the 2026 Beef Improvement Federation (BIF) Symposium in Boise, ID.
What Produce Shoppers Want: The Big Shift in Consumer Sustainability Trends
The sustainability landscape is changing in the fresh produce aisle. Rather than just a concern about the environment, consumer decisions around sustainability issues like production style, packaging, buying local and more might be as much about identity and lifestyle to today’s consumers, according to one expert. This presents both challenges and opportunities for fresh produce retailers.
Organic Produce Market Guide 2026
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The Packer — July 6, 2026
© 1995 - 2026 Farm Journal, Inc. All Rights Reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
Despite Regional Weather Setbacks, Growing Demand Spurs Summer Berry Optimism
Scary winter weather and freak freezes in the spring didn’t cool down the growing intensity of consumer berry demand. This reality has stoked optimism in berry growers and industry groups for this summer season, as well as laid out a course for the future to meet that demand. For the year ending May 17, 2026, sales by volume across the entire fresh berry segment grew 3.1% at 2.908 billion pounds sold compared to the prior year.
ASA research targets heart failure risk
Health/Nutrition WLJ May 14, 2026 1 minute read American Shorthorn Association The American Shorthorn Association is working with Simplot Land and Livestock to study bovine congestive heart failure (BCHF) in fed cattle. The project analyzes about 10,000 Shorthorn-influenced animals within a larger dataset of more than 35,000 head that includes genomic and phenotypic data. BCHF affects an estimated 4-5% of cattle at harvest and contributes to death loss and reduced efficiency.
How Journalists and Writers Are Making AI Work - But Not Write - for Them
This article was written by one of the dozen independent journalists who received scholarships to the 2026 ASJA conference. Speaker Linda Marsa and ASJA member Randy Dotinga discuss AI at the 2026 ASJA virtual conference (screen capture by Kerry Halladay) I am — dare I say it — an AI skeptic. So far, every pitch I’ve heard about AI’s usefulness has boiled down to “it can write for you.” As someone who loves the art and craft of writing, this has left me unconvinced.
Consumers Want Sustainable Packaging and Companies are Making it Happen
Consumer’s definitions of what sustainability means are wide-ranging and challenging, but companies today are trying to meet those demands while also looking forward to the future. • February 11, 2026 12:00 PM Eco friendly paper shop bag with raw organic green vegetables isolated on green background Flat lay, top view Zero waste, plastic free concept Healthy clean eating diet and detox, agriculture concept.
Produce Procurement Can Help Build Sustainability
A new report recommends a two-pronged approach to build resiliency and sustainability into the food supply chain through procurement strategies and growth. • February 04, 2026 05:54 PM The report advocates for a shift in how food companies approach procurement, adding resilience and sustainability to the traditional considerations of cost, quality and availability.
Consumers and Retailers Want Sustainable Produce Packaging
Both groups see sustainable produce packaging as important to the overall sustainability of their lives and businesses respectively. • February 03, 2026 03:00 PM According to The Packer’s Sustainability Insights 2025 report, consumers and retailers both value sustainable packaging. A lot. (Photo: prapann, Shutterstock) Sustainable packaging for fresh produce is intensely important for both consumers and retailers, according to data gathered by The Packer.
Rethinking Sustainable Packaging: From Materials to Function Focus
Produce packaging experts argue that a frame shift on what constitutes sustainability in produce packaging is needed, or we will incur unintended consequences. • February 03, 2026 03:35 PM Though considerable attention and concern is focused on plastic in produce packaging, experts caution that a narrow focus on plastic in the sustainability discussion could have unintended negative consequences. (File photo by The Packer staff) Consumers and retailers alike value sustainable packaging in produce.
The Bovine Vet Podcast
Behind every new technology, diagnostic tool, protocol or technique in cattle health is a real-world problem that someone set out to solve. The Bovine Vet Podcast talks with the veterinarians, researchers and industry professionals putting these innovations to work to improve outcomes in the field. The best tools are those that help make the best decisions for clients and their cattle.
California Water Experts Call for Cooperation on Colorado River Impasse
The seven states that depend on the Colorado River must agree on how to manage the river’s dwindling water by Feb. 14. If they don’t, the feds could step in and litigation could follow. • January 29, 2026 05:16 PM Shown is a view of the declining water levels in Lake Mead, one of the two key reservoirs along the Colorado River.
Wellness Clinics Aim to Break Through Barriers to Farmworker Health Care
UnitedAg’s wellness centers across California’s Central Valley are trying to break down health care barriers to farmworkers through a holistic, people-focused strategy. • January 21, 2026 06:13 PM Salinas Valley farmworkers tending a field (Photo: David, Adobe Stock) On Thursday, Jan. 22, UnitedAg will host a ribbon-cutting ceremony and an open house of its Chico Wellness Center in Chico, Calif.
How Bee Sweet Citrus Markets to Potential Employees
The company says while outreach to customers is important, so too is telling the story of their employees and employment opportunities. • January 20, 2026 07:19 PM One of Bee Sweet Citrus’ 30-second commercials highlighting the employment success of Francisco Robles Avalos, who has been working for the company for more than 30 years. (Photo courtesy of Bee Sweet Citrus) When it comes to citrus marketing, reaching out to consumers isn’t the only issue facing the citrus industry.
Agricultural DERMS Lets Growers Tap into Valuable Energy Programs
Yield Energy says its Yield Edge DERMS can earn growers money through utility incentive programs or save them on energy bills. • January 20, 2026 12:41 PM Yield Energy says its Yield Edge DERMS can be “plug and play” with irrigation systems from seven different companies, along with other types of on-operation automation and energy equipment. (iStock) If you’re using automation on your operation and generating your own energy, your operation could be a virtual power plant.
Could CEA-Heavy “Farm Parks” Make Server Farms Better?
The Resource Innovation Institute explored the possibility of colocating data centers with large greenhouses to deal with waste heat, supply food and provide jobs in the U.S. • January 16, 2026 12:04 PM As artificial intelligence grows, data centers are popping up like weeds, and in many rural communities they are about as welcome.
How Retail Collaboration and Supply Strategies Drive Citrus Marketing Success
With the U.S. in the middle of its winter citrus season, season, recent weather issues have complicated long-running labor, water and import pressure challenges on the supply side, but there’s a lot to celebrate and anticipate on the marketing side.
The Packer - January 19, 2026
© 1995 - 2026 Farm Journal, Inc. All Rights Reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
Pongal: Celebrating a Good Harvest With Sweet Fruit and Local Produce
Retailers can support celebrants of the holiday, which kicks off Jan. 14 this year, by ensuring sweet tropical produce like sugar cane, jackfruit and mangoes are available. • January 13, 2026 06:17 PM Retailers can support Pongal celebrants by having sweet produce like sugar cane, jackfruit, and mangoes available.
Dairy Margin Coverage
Dairy Margin Coverage Dairy Margin Coverage (DMC) is a voluntary USDA risk-management program that pays dairy producers when the margin between milk prices and feed costs falls below a specified level. Enrollment for the 2026 DMC program opened on Jan. 12 and runs through Feb. 26 2026, with expanded coverage limits, updated production-history rules and options to lock in multi-year coverage with discounted premiums.
Avocados From Mexico Expects a “Monster Crop”
The group is expecting both record-breaking total imports for the 2025-26 season and Super Bowl avocado supplies, as well as planning for World Cup promotions. • January 13, 2026 02:49 PM Avocados From Mexico says it expects a record-setting export volume of 2.5 billion pounds of avocados sent to the U.S. in the 2025-26 season. (Photo courtesy of Avocados From Mexico) It will be a good year for guac, according to Avocados From Mexico. On Jan.
Voting on Onion Marketing Orders Begins
Growers of both Walla Walla sweet onions and Vidalia onions are being asked to weigh in on continuing their crop’s federal marketing orders. • January 09, 2026 12:40 PM Vidalia onion season begins in April. (Photo courtesy of the Vidalia Onion Committee) It’s time for Walla Walla and Vidalia onion growers to vote.
New Dietary Guidelines Urge Consumers to Eat More Produce
The new 2025-2030 guide emphasizes “real food” in the form of meat, dairy and fresh produce, but it also has implications for SNAP and retailers. Updated January 07, 2026 04:07 PM Fresh produce (Photo: Andrii, Adobe Stock) The new dietary guidelines have turned the familiar food pyramid on its head, putting meat, dairy and fresh produce at top. But in this pyramid, the “top” means what consumers should eat most of. During a Jan. 7 press call, Health Secretary Robert F.
Ask These Questions Before Taking the Plunge on New Precision Ag Tech
As everything is getting increasingly more data-driven and data-dependent, there are some data-specific questions growers should ask before investing. Updated January 06, 2026 05:35 PM More and more of agriculture runs on data, so when it comes to investing in a new element of precision agriculture, you should ask some data-focused questions. (Lori Hays) Editor’s note: This is the fourth of a series on questions growers should ask before investing in new ag tech.
5 Water Trends to Watch in 2026
The “everything old is new again” proverb will be at play in 2026 when it comes to water trends irrigators need to know in the new year. The Packer sat down with Melissa Lilze — who, as of Jan. 1, became senior vice president of Netafim North America, the top position for Netafim in North America, and the first woman to lead Netafim’s North America division — on the top water trends coming in 2026. Several are long-running themes from years past that will continue to dominate in the new year.
5 Water Trends to Watch in 2026
The “everything old is new again” proverb will be at play in 2026 when it comes to water trends irrigators need to know in the new year. The Packer sat down with Melissa Lilze — who, as of Jan. 1, became senior vice president of Netafim North America, the top position for Netafim in North America, and the first woman to lead Netafim’s North America division — on the top water trends coming in 2026. Several are long-running themes from years past that will continue to dominate in the new year.
5 Water Trends to Watch in 2026
Netafim North America’s Melissa Lilze talks the top five trends that will impact irrigators in the coming year. Updated January 04, 2026 10:27 AM There are several trends irrigators should watch for in 2026, according to new Netafim North America senior vice president Melissa Lilze. (Photo courtesy of Netafim) The “everything old is new again” proverb will be at play in 2026 when it comes to water trends irrigators need to know in the new year.
Breaking: USDA Releases Per-Acre Rates for Farmer Bridge Assistance Program Original
The long-awaited Farmer Bridge Assistance rates are out! Rice and cotton will receive the highest per-acre rates, in keeping with earlier predictions. “Farmers who qualify for the FBA program can expect payments in their bank accounts by Feb. 28, 2026,” says Agriculture Secretary Brooke Rollins in the announcement.
New World Screwworm Found in Newborn Calf 197 Miles from U.S.-Mexico Border
On Dec. 27, Mexico’s National Service of Agro-Alimentary Health, Safety, and Quality (SENASICA) reported a new case of New World screwworm (NWS) in a 6-day-old calf with an umbilical lesion in Llera, located in the state of Tamaulipas, approximately 197 miles from the U.S.-Mexico border. According to the Texas Animal Health Commission, there have been no other detections in Tamaulipas or any evidence of established fly populations in the area.
The Packer - January 5, 2026
© 1995 - 2025 Farm Journal, Inc. All Rights Reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
Labor Issues Dominated 2025 and Are Sure to Continue
The Packer’s 2025 labor coverage kicked off with Christina Herrick’s labor series, and there was much more to read. Updated December 30, 2025 12:24 PM , Updated December 30, 2025 12:24 PM Several groups called for ag labor reform in 2025 with issues certain to continue into 2026. (Photo: F Armstrong, Adobe Stock) Labor is always a big issue for the fresh produce industry, and 2025 was no different.
From Urban Ag to Indoor Farming: Fresh Produce Grows Up
The Packer’s Jill Dutton’s urban farming series took us across the country to explore the pioneers reclaiming land for the sake of fresh fruits and vegetables, while our vertical farming and greenhouse coverage examined other ways of growing food closer to the consumer.
Supply Issues with Honeybees and Apple Trees
There were some big stories in 2025 that dealt with less common supply problems, such as high honeybee losses and too many apple trees.
Fear, Uncertainty on ICE Raids Complicated 2025's Labor Crisis
The threat of raids on agricultural operations hit hard during the summer of 2025, and it will likely continue in 2026. Updated December 30, 2025 11:43 AM , Updated December 30, 2025 11:43 AM , Updated December 30, 2025 11:43 AM (U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement) Despite some labor-related wins early in the year, the threat of raids by Immigration and Customs Enforcement on farming operations had chilling effects on labor in the fresh produce industry in 2025.
Tariffs and Trade Wars in 2025 and Beyond
With President Donald Trump back in office in 2025, the wax and wane of tariffs and threats of tariffs kept the produce industry on its toes this year. Updated December 29, 2025 04:25 PM , Updated December 29, 2025 04:25 PM , Updated December 29, 2025 04:25 PM Tariffs and the trade wars they sparked dominated agricultural news in 2025. Mexico and Canada were frequent targets and players in both.
The Politics of Produce and Hunger
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Some key political moves at USDA and nationwide had big impacts on produce-providing programs like SNAP and WIC in 2025. Updated December 29, 2025 05:45 AM , Updated December 29, 2025 05:45 AM , Updated December 29, 2025 05:45 AM , Updated December 29, 2025 05:45 AM Many big moves at USDA and federally impacted U.S. consumers in a visceral way in 2025 — by limiting, or even cutting off, SNAP funding.
By Kerry Halladay Verified, Christina Herrick Verified, Jennifer Strailey Verified, Jill Dutton Verified
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The Packer
Verified
Technology to the Rescue in 2025
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The Packer broke some big tech stories for the produce industry in 2025, and they were often some of the more uplifting, helpful and future-looking stories out there. Updated December 29, 2025 05:33 AM , Updated December 29, 2025 05:33 AM , Updated December 29, 2025 05:33 AM , Updated December 29, 2025 05:33 AM agtech photo illustration of hand placing light bulb in soil (Photo: 994yellow, Adobe Stock) Not all the big headlines in 2025 were doom and gloom.
By Kerry Halladay Verified, Jennifer Strailey Verified, Jill Dutton Verified, Christina Herrick Verified
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The Packer
Verified
Commodity-Specific Trade War Battles to Watch for in 2026
The end of the Tomato Suspension Agreement was just one of several commodity-specific trade battles in 2025’s overall trade wars. Updated December 23, 2025 02:12 PM , Updated December 23, 2025 02:12 PM , Updated December 23, 2025 02:12 PM Mushrooms were among the produce commodities that saw trade fights in 2025. The antidumping case will continue into 2026.
How Language Rules Have Impacted Trucking, Plus What to Watch in 2026
After months of stepped-up English proficiency enforcement for truck drivers, effects appear mild for the fresh produce industry, but there are things to look for in the year ahead.
Water Issues Headlined 2025 and Will Likely Stay There in 2026
Water will always be a big topic for produce, and ag in general, but 2025 saw some big milestones in water news. Updated December 19, 2025 01:29 PM Water is always big news, but there were some big headlines in 2025. (Photo: Montri, Adobe Stock) The year 2025 saw several big water issues hit the news, both nationally and in some of the biggest produce-growing states. Many of these stories will continue into 2026’s headlines.
Less Ag Water Means Fewer Jobs, Deeper Poverty, More Sickness
A recent impact report out of Westlands Water District in California found wide-reaching ripple effects of water restrictions for San Joaquin Valley growers. Updated December 18, 2025 04:03 PM The ripple effects of water cuts in California’s largest irrigation district span beyond the San Joaquin Valley. (Canva.com) Everyone in ag knows how interconnected every element of the ecosystem — literal and figurative — is to the wider community.
Taking a Moment with the 1944 Treaty’s Minutes
The most recent “Minute,” or amendment, to the 1944 Treaty between the U.S. and Mexico was just signed, but what even are Minutes in the context of the water treaty? Updated December 17, 2025 08:33 AM A drop of water. (freeimages.com) While a trickle of information was coming out on the recently announced water deliveries from Mexico to Texas, the U.S. and Mexico finalized another water-related agreement dealing with the 1944 Treaty. On Dec.
Details Unclear on Promised Water Deliveries From Mexico
Texas will supposedly get up to 202,000 acre-feet of water from Mexico in accordance with the 1944 Treaty beginning this week, the week of Dec. 15, according to the USDA. However, it is unclear where this water will come from because Mexico doesn’t have that volume of water in its international holdings. Depending upon source, it is also unclear how useful this release will be to Texas agriculture.
Details Unclear on Promised Water Deliveries From Mexico
Following the threat of added tariffs, Mexico has agreed to send 202,000 acre-feet to Texas starting Dec. 15, but it’s unclear where this water will come from, as is how useful it will be to Texas growers. • December 15, 2025 01:39 PM Low water levels show white banks at the Amistad International Reservoir. The Amistad is a key reservoir along the Rio Grande and for the 1944 treaty between the U.S. and Mexico.
Scheve Grain
© 1995 - 2025 Farm Journal, Inc. All Rights Reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
Questions to Get Into the Nitty-Gritty Details on Ag Tech
Once you’ve identified a likely piece of new ag tech you want to invest in, there are some questions you should ask to dig into the details first. Updated December 12, 2025 04:39 PM Editor’s note: This is the third of a series on questions growers should ask before investing in new ag tech. Because fresh produce is a high-value segment of agriculture, there are a lot of options available to spend money on, but asking the right questions before a purchase can save time, money and headache.
The Foundation for Fresh Produce 2025 Supplement
© 1995 - 2025 Farm Journal, Inc. All Rights Reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
The USDA’s 2025 Organic Survey is Coming Soon
Organic growers are required to respond to the survey, a special study of the Census of Agriculture. Responses are due Feb. 5, 2026. Updated December 11, 2025 08:30 AM (Photo: Bigc Studio, Adobe Stock) If you’re an organic grower, keep a watch on your mailbox. The 2025 Organic Survey is headed your way. USDA announced Dec.
South American Produce Drives Philly’s Peak Reefer Season
There is a lot of rate volatility in the spot market during this time of year as high-value fruit, local conditions and truck availability collide. Updated December 10, 2025 01:12 PM Cooler truck at warehouse loading bay (Photo: markobe, Adobe Stock) There’s a seasonality to the trucking world just like there is to any element of the fresh produce industry.
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