Zachariah Rutledge, Michigan State University
“H-2A Rule Change Puts Spotlight on Work Visa Program”
By: Ag Alert – June 3, 2026
“Farmers in California could save up to $100 million this year if every employer were to reduce pay for guestworkers to the state minimum wage. Overall farm labor costs in California are about $18 billion a year, including $655 million in wages paid to H-2A workers, according to federal data.”
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David Ortega, Michigan State University
“The Hidden Forces Making Beef Prices Skyrocket”
By: Business Insider - May 29, 2026
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Amitrajeet Batabyal, Rochester Institute of Technology
“The Fascinating Connections Between Cigarette Addiction and Educational Attainment”
By: Rochester Business Journal – June 5, 2026
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Joana Colussi, Purdue
University
Farzad Taheripour, Purdue University
By: Misryoum – June 1, 2026
“Farmers have been through similar shocks before. In 2022, pressures rose after Russia’s invasion of Ukraine disrupted energy and fertilizer prices as well. But at the time, crop prices such as corn were at “record” highs, helping farmers offset higher production costs.”
“One option is expanding fertilizer production capacity in the U.S. The country has no shortage of natural gas, but it could use more industrial capacity to convert natural gas into nitrogen fertilizer. Within the U.S. to help the agriculture sector and to hedge against changes in the energy market outside the U.S. we need to expand our capacity to produce more fertilizer from domestic sources—natural gas. Doing so may be “an attractive investment” for the U.S. to consider.”
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Luyi Han, Pennsylvania State University
“Tourism Can Boost Local Economies - But at What Cost?”
By: Earth.com – June 1, 2026
“Sustainability shouldn’t be treated as a branding exercise alone: investments in housing, public safety, environmental protection and community well-being may also strengthen a destination’s long-term economic resilience. More broadly, the findings show that there is no one-size-fits-all model of sustainable tourism. Local conditions matter, and effective strategies need to be tailored to the specific strengths and vulnerabilities of each community.”
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Michael Langemeier, Purdue University
“Purdue Survey Reveals Record Cost Concerns Among Farmers—And the Outlook Is Getting Worse”
By: Hoiser Ag Today – June 2, 2026
“The cost pressures are being felt across several categories, particularly in crop production. One of them is diesel prices. Obviously, since the conflict in Iran started, diesel prices have—you know, skyrocketed. They’re much higher than they were prior to the conflict. The other one that gets a lot of press is nitrogen. So both of those prices are substantially higher than what they what they were last April.”
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Brian Whitacre, Oklahoma State University
“Growers Say Oklahoma’s Cannabis Bonanza is Going to Pot”
By: Oklahoma Watch – June 2, 2026
“We really just let anybody who wanted to open one up,” he said, describing the state’s early approach as very hands-off, with low barriers to entry and few limits on production. Growers purchased equipment, paid utilities and hired workers, who in turn spent money locally in what economists describe as a multiplier effect. There’s a lot of other industries that are potentially impacted.”
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Bradley Lubben, University of Nebraska-Lincoln
“Farm Income in Nebraska Projected For Record High”
By: Ag Update – June 4, 2026
“The crops sector has taken a beating the past few years. However, the livestock sector in Nebraska, particularly beef, has been booming. Combined with increased USDA payments, it amounts to an average farm income on the rise within the state.”
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Gregory Ibendahl, Kansas State University
“Impact of Iran War Pressing Input Costs”
By: High Plains Journal – June 5, 2026
“High volatility is nothing new in the ag sector. Four years ago, Russia’s invasion of Ukraine sent oil prices to $130 per barrel, although they came down relatively soon. If the per-barrel price reached that range, it would add another $47,000 to the cost of production for a typical grain farm in Kansas. About half of it comes from higher fertilizer costs, and the other half comes from higher fuel costs.”
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