There is a Fresh, New Yogurt Taste in the Refrigerator
Organic fruit, live active cultures, and 20 organic almonds in every cup create the clean, “farm to spoon” flavor of AYO Almondmilk Yogurt
Delano, Calif. – (May 29, 2020): Dairy-free yogurts have tried for years to get the taste and texture right. AYO Almondmilk Yogurt finally did it. Shoppers are finding AYO to be a pleasant departure from the thick, gummy taste of many plant-based alternatives. With the first spoonful, you will experience a light creamy, smooth texture and a rich flavor that is fruit forward, finishing with a pleasant toasted almond taste. The Strawberry and Blueberry flavors allow the real taste of fresh berries to shine through, while the Peach provides a refreshing complexity of flavor notes. Because AYO is not as thick as Greek yogurts, it pairs well with granola and other breakfast cereals. It is also delicious as a fruit dip, between-meal snack or dessert topping.
Unlike many other vegan options, AYO Almondmilk Yogurt not only boasts what it doesn’t have, like dairy, cholesterol or anything artificial, it is filled with heart healthy nutrition. AYO is high in fiber and low in saturated fat. Each creamy, probiotic-rich cup features less added sugar than most dairy or plant-based yogurts and only 150-160 calories.
Overseeing the entire process from start to finish, Matt Billings and his family of farmers, which goes back four generations, make AYO Almondmilk Yogurt to the highest standards of flavor and sustainability. Considering the land and its natural fauna as partners in their labors, they follow the rhythms of the changing seasons, tending and harvesting every hearty nut at just the right time. The result is a deliciously rich and creamy dairy-free yogurt made from simple, quality ingredients with 20 organic almonds in every cup.
Try AYO Almondmilk Yogurt - enlivened with organic strawberries, organic blueberries, organic peaches and organic Madagascar Vanilla. Discover a smooth, clean flavor and likely the only almondmilk yogurt to take this noble nut from farm to spoon. Visit ayoyogurt.com to learn more.
About AYO Almondmilk Yogurt:
“From farm to spoon, from us to you,”AYO Almondmilk Yogurt is the only non-dairy yogurt crafted using organic almonds produced by fourth-generation farmers in California’s San Joaquin Valley. Run for more than 100 years by the Billings family, Billings Ranches is committed to forward-thinking practices of sustainability, traceability, and vertical integration, which nourish the land they are proud to call home. In new AYO Almond Yogurt, lightly toasted almond flavor is enriched with live active cultures and clean ingredients to produce a probiotic-rich, vegan treat the whole family will love. You can find our store locator and learn more at ayoyogurt.com.
"Happier Aging" Now Available in Manitoba with Opening of Nurse Next Door Home Care Services
WINNIPEG, June 2, 2020 /CNW/ - Direct Action in Support of Community Housing (DASCH), one of the leading providers of community homes and programming for people with intellectual disabilities in Winnipeg, is pleased to announce the official opening of its new Nurse Next Door home care business.
Nurse Next Door Home Care Services is one of North America's fastest growing home care providers dedicated to delivering individualized, flexible and quality home care options. Founded in 2001, the company offers a full spectrum of in-home care services, from caring companionship to 24-hour palliative care and nursing support.
Karen Fonseth, CEO of DASCH said seniors' home care was a natural expansion for the organization. "The Nurse Next Door approach to community living and its focus of keeping seniors in their homes as long as possible, aligns perfectly with DASCH's mission of providing high quality residential and community living," Fonseth said. "Nurse Next Door is a premium care agency whose goal is to make a difference in seniors' lives through quality care and relationship building that goes well beyond basic home care services. Our goal is to form meaningful relationships with our clients to provide happier aging, in-home experiences," she said.
In light of the current pandemic, Fonseth added that now more than ever, loved ones may need support for their aging family members and that Nurse Next Door is staffed and available to help with a 24/7 Care Services Centre. "People simply need to call our main number to outline their situation and we will meet their support and care needs in this difficult time. We also have a full complement of personal protective equipment to keep our clients and home care staff safe at all times."
The question at the heart of Nurse Next Door's unique concept of Happier Aging is "What is the one thing that you used to love to do, that you are no longer able to?". Many seniors have stopped pursuing their passions and dreams which can lead to overall feelings of unhappiness and disengagement. Opportunities that bring happiness can be big or small. Planting a garden, playing a chess match or learning a new dance are some of the things Nurse Next Door can do for clients to keep them engaged with the things they love. They have also been a part of fulfilling larger dreams. Robert, a World War II veteran was able to take flight after 63 years on a Harvard Aircraft when his caregiver discovered his passion for flight. It's this passion that has differentiated Nurse Next Door from other healthcare providers.
"Happier Aging is all about getting seniors back to doing what they love and we want our clients to live their best lives, without boundaries", said Fonseth. "Our goal is to help seniors stay in their homes and reconnect with their interests, hobbies and passions to help them live their lives to the fullest," she said. "We are also different because of our "Perfect Match Guarantee", where we match our client's interests with specific interests and skill-sets of our caregivers to create meaningful and lasting relationships for our clients," Fonseth said.
Nurse Next Door President and CEO, Cathy Thorpe congratulated DASCH for becoming the local franchise. "When we look for a franchise partner, we delve deep into the organization's skill sets and history and we believe the DASCH team will be an excellent partner in Manitoba to deliver premium home care services to seniors utilizing their expertise in residential supportive living services," she said.
About Nurse Next Door Home Care Services With a focus on 'Happier Aging,' Nurse Next Door believes seniors can stay at home and continue to do all the things that they love. With more than 160+ locations across North America, this company is fast becoming a globally admired brand. The company has garnered numerous business awards including placing top 50 on Entrepreneur's Franchise 500 list, Franchise Times Dealmakers Award, being named the fifth best mid-sized franchise system in North America by Franchise Business Review. As an employer, it has been ranked among Aon Hewitt's Best 50 Small and Medium Employers, BC Business' Best Companies to Work For and Achievers 50 Most Engaged Workplaces. To learn more about Nurse Next Door visit www.nursenextdoor.com.
About DASCH Inc. (Direct Action in Support of Community Homes) DASCH is a non-profit organization established in 1974 dedicated to exploring and meeting the residential, day program, respite and foster care needs of youth and adults living with intellectual disabilities. DASCH supports people living in over 50 homes throughout Winnipeg. People can participate in personalized social, educational, vocational and recreational services that provide learning opportunities and greater independence.
SOURCE Direct Action in Support of Community Housing
Artist Releases Coming-of-age Memoir Detailing Her Journey With Mental Illness And Disability
Long Island, NY, June 2, 2020 –It started as a college prank; a friend offered Ruth Poniarski a brownie that, unbeknownst to her, was laced with angel dust. What resulted was a debilitating accident, and the first of many mental breakdowns that spiraled into diagnoses of psychosis, schizophrenia, severe anxiety, and bipolar disorder.
Long Island native Ruth Poniarski has released her first book, Journey of the Self: Memoir of an Artist, published by Charlotte, North Carolina-based Warren Publishing. Poniarski’s unflinchingly honest memoir shares her coming-of-age story through the lenses of mental illness, disability, and steadfast determination.
For years, Poniarski struggled to cope with her new reality as she undertook a rigorous architectural program, sought out new friends (and the perfect mate), and battled through the depths of mental illness. Her journey led her in all directions as she sought comfort, solace, stability and love.
Now an accomplished artist, Poniarski considers her memoir to be a portrait of sorts. “This book, like many of my paintings, is about introspection,” she says. “So many of us, particularly when we’re young, seek definition through labels or through what others think of us. It’s so easy to say, ‘I have bipolar disorder, therefore, X’ or ‘So and so doesn’t love me the way I love him, therefore, Y.’ But none of that is who we truly are.”
The release of Poniarski’s memoir is particularly timely in light of the Coronavirus pandemic and social distancing orders. “A lot of people are stuck at home right now. This kind of isolation forces a person to examine themselves; what makes them unique beyond who they are to society,” says Poniarski. “That kind of self-reflection allows us to become more available to others. You have to know yourself first.”
“So, who am I?” Poniarski laughs. “Well … you’ll just have to read the book!”
For more information about Ruth Poniarski or her book, please visit: ruthponiarski.com.
Precision Biomonitoring Receives Funding to Manufacture TripleLock™ SARS CoV-2 Go-Strips
Innovative Efforts Receive Funding from NGen In Response to Canadian Supply Development Support
GUELPH, ON and MISSISSAUGA, ON, June 2, 2020 /CNW/ - Precision Biomonitoring, an industry leader in point-of-need molecular detection tools, has announced that is has received approval and funding from Next Generation Manufacturing Canada (NGen) to support manufacturing needs for the production of its TripleLockTM SARS-CoV-2 Go-Strips.
Precision Biomonitoring has secured this funding because of its ongoing efforts to contribute to the development of a Canadian supply of testing kits in response to the COVID-19 pandemic. Precision Biomonitoring is grateful to NGen for its support and is encouraged by its dedication to companies across Canada working to develop resources and tools necessary to protect public health.
The funding will enable Precision Biomonitoring to work directly with Canadian manufacturers to rapidly increase production of its SARS-CoV-2 Go-Strips, which will not only support Precision Biomonitoring, but also other Canadian biotech companies working to support the accessibility of molecular testing amidst COVID-19 and into the future.
Leveraging the manufacturing capabilities of Canadian manufacturers, Precision Biomonitoring anticipates a production rate capacity of 10,000 units per day or greater. Increased testing capacity will help provide critical testing access and capacity in communities to re-open Canadian economy by helping to create virus-free zones in the workplace to ensure safety of the workers and sustainable operations.
"Developing Canadian manufacturing is not only promising for our response efforts for COVID-19, but also provides a strong foundation as we look to expand into the growing mobile DNA applications market," says Thomas. "This includes manufacturing our existing 35 tests for other organisms, helping to establish local sources of supply that Canadians can rely on."
Precision Biomonitoring's efforts alongside NGen is an addition to the collaborative relationships Precision Biomonitoring has developed with other Canadian companies and institutions in response to COVID-19, including Canadian Food Inspection Agency, Shared Value Solutions, The Research Institute of St. Joe's (Hamilton), Sunnybrook Health Science Centre and the Canadian National Microbiology Lab.
"Advancing Canadian manufacturing enables us to leverage local capabilities to mitigate manufacturing challenges," says John Laughlin, CTO at NGen. "We are proud to help drive these efforts that will position Canada as a world leader in manufacturing point-of-need DNA surveillance and detection tools."
About Precision Biomonitoring Founded in 2016 by a team of scientists from the University of Guelph's Biodiversity Institute of Ontario, Precision Biomonitoring provides TripleLock™ onsite eDNA surveillance platform solutions that give customers earlier detection of organisms for a more rapid response. Customers are any organizations that need onsite surveillance and rapid identification of any organism in any environment. The Precision Biomonitoring team is at the forefront of technological innovations in the genomics industry. Our vision is a world where we can identify any organism on the spot, in an instant, anywhere on the planet.
About NGen NGen is the industry-led community behind Canada's most transformative advanced manufacturing projects. NGen members come from every part of the country and cut across Canada's manufacturing, technology, advanced research, and start-ups sectors. NGen is an objective facilitator of connections and collaboration among its members, identifying opportunities, building capabilities, and supporting advanced manufacturing decisions. NGen's industry collaborations bring together talent, opportunity, funding, and business know-how to reduce risk and help business leaders make better choices. NGen is Canada's Supercluster for Advanced Manufacturing, securing funding from public and private sources, including $230 million in matching dollars from the federal government's Innovation Superclusters Initiative, to support greater private sector investment in advanced manufacturing projects. NGen seeks to add $13.5 billion dollars and 13,500 new jobs to the economy over the next 10 years by growing world-leading advanced manufacturing capabilities in Canada.
SOURCE Precision Biomonitoring
NEW ZEALANDERS’ ATTITUDES CHANGED AFTER PANDEMIC LOCKDOWN
Trust in government, police, science increased, but so did psychological distress, survey says
WASHINGTON – In the first few weeks of the lockdown of New Zealand in response to the COVID-19 pandemic, residents reported a slight increase in mental distress but higher levels of confidence in the government, science and the police, as well as greater patriotism, according to research published by the American Psychological Association.
“Our results suggest that, under the conditions of a strong and cohesive national response, people are more likely to lean on and trust their politicians, scientists, police and communities and ultimately more likely to comply with the lockdown and health guidelines,” said Chris Sibley, PhD, a professor at the University of Auckland and lead author of the study published in the journal American Psychologist. “The absence of such a response, however, may provide fertile ground for division, lack of adherence to guidelines and conspiracy theories.”
Sibley and his colleagues analyzed data from the New Zealand Attitudes and Values Study, a 20-year longitudinal survey of social attitudes, personality and health outcomes of more than 60,000 New Zealanders. The study was in the process of collecting its latest wave of data when the country went into lockdown, and more than 1,100 of the participants answered the questions in the 18 days afterward.
Researchers compared those responses to the same number of people of similar demographic and lifestyle variables, such as age, gender, ethnicity, mental health diagnosis and smoking behavior, who responded before the lockdown.
“We found that people in the pandemic lockdown group reported higher trust in science, politicians and police and higher levels of patriotism, compared to the pre-lockdown group,” said Sibley. “We also found that in the days following the lockdown, people also reported slightly higher levels of psychological distress.”
In the pre-lockdown group, 77.1% of participants reported no distress, 16.2% reported moderate distress and 6.6% reported serious distress. In the post-lockdown group 73.5% reported no distress, 21.1% reported moderate distress and 5.8% reported serious distress.
"Countries around the world are implementing measures to fight COVID-19, and their efforts will be enhanced by understanding the psychological effects of the pandemic, lockdowns and social distancing,” said Sibley. “In the case of New Zealand, a strong national response appeared to correspond with an increase in trust, not only for our governmental institutions, but also science, which may have helped with compliance to guidelines that helped us beat the virus.”
The country only had a little more than 100 confirmed cases in late March when the government decided to go to level 4 of its COVID-19 threat system, the highest level, where only essential work and grocery store and medical trips were allowed. New Zealand currently has fewer than 1,200 confirmed cases and 22 deaths, with no new confirmed cases since May 22. Cafes, movie theaters and restaurants have already been allowed to reopen.
“We hope that as the dust settles and governments and their communities review this global event, these results, along with others reported by other researchers in other countries, will inform a plan for what to do in the event of the next global crisis,” said Sibley. “For example, we should anticipate that well-being will deteriorate and build mechanisms to provide support for those most affected.”
Article: “Effects of the COVID-19 Pandemic and Nationwide Lockdown on Trust, Attitudes Towards Government, and Wellbeing,” by Chris Sibley, PhD, Lara Greaves, PhD, Nicole Satherley, MSc, Nikola Overall, PhD, Carol Lee, MSc, Petar Milojev, PhD, Joseph Bulbulia, PhD, Danny Osborne, PhD, and Carla Houkamau, PhD, University of Auckland; Marc Wilson, PhD, and Taciano Milfont, PhD, Victoria University of Wellington; Raine Vickers-Jones, and Fiona Kate Barlow, PhD, University of Queensland; and Isabelle Duck, MB ChB, Silverdale Medical. American Psychologist, published online June 1, 2020.
Both Feet on the Ground Shares Profoundly Therapeutic Benefits Of Immersion In The Natural World
Denver, CO, June 2, 2020 — You’re stressed out, tired of looking at the same four walls, drained by the negativity on social media, and exhausted from juggling work with homeschooling and entertaining your kids. No matter your age, location, or financial standing, there is a simple, effective therapy that is abundantly available, and it’s right outside your door.
“Get out and stay out—as often and for as long as you can,” champions Marshall Ulrich in his latest release, Both Feet on the Ground: Reflections from the Outside.
Ulrich, an ultrarunner who has also scaled the Seven Summits and competed in multi-day adventure races,shares stories of his expeditions in such far-flung places as Borneo, Tibet, and South Africa, as well as his lifelong commitment to farming his land in Colorado. Ulrich has climbed Mount Everest, run through the searing heat of the Gobi Desert, and ridden the huge waves off Morocco. But there’s no need to be an extreme athlete to reap the benefits of forming physical connections with the natural world.
Ulrich urges readers to simply unplug, plant their feet firmly in the earth, fill their lungs with clean air, and dream of bold and personally compelling outdoor adventures.
“Your adventures in natural places—even if, for now, it’s just sitting outside or walking around your neighborhood—can put you back in touch with who you are; how resilient, resourceful and hardy you can be,” Ulrich says.
Throughout Both Feet on the Ground, Ulrich shares valuable insights from his endeavors, along with useful findings and recommendations from other experts, all organized around themes of earth, air, fire and water. His hope is that you’ll be inspired to find new ways of engaging with these natural elements yourself to experience the healing powers of the outside world.
Author Marshall Ulrich is an extreme endurance athlete—ultrarunning icon, Seven Summits mountaineer, and adventure racer—who loves sharing his exploits to entertain and help motivate others to reach their goals. He’s raced, led expeditions, or climbed mountains in nearly 30 countries, and visited 30 more, so his stories are about more than just physical accomplishments. Cutting his teeth running across Death Valley, he’s also climbed Mount Everest, run in the jungles of Fiji, and completed a record-setting run across America. Dubbed the Endurance King, he defies the ideas of “too far,” “too old” and “not possible.” Revered among athletes, Marshall is also the author of Running on Empty. An acclaimed speaker, he’s lectured on various elite cruise lines, and given talks at businesses, schools, race expos, and professional conferences, including the Royal Geographic Society, Morgan Stanley, and Wilderness Medicine.
This Courageous Young Woman’s Story Is Testament That One Life Really Can Impact The World
Fort Wayne, IN, June 2, 2020 — One thing most of us can’t get enough of right now are inspiring stories that put all the stress, fear and worry of the current pandemic into perspective. How about a story of an incredible young woman who lived a life without limits and managed to enrich every life she touched – regardless of the fact she had a rare and incurable disease? Brittany Moser and her best friend, her dad, set out on the journey of a lifetime and their unforgettable adventure became the backdrop for Philip Moser’s book, Free and Fearless: The Amazing Impact of One Precious Life.
“This book is not about the grief of losing a child, but about making the most out of what we are given and living our lives positively and not out of fear,” writes author (and Brittany’s father) Philip Moser. “Brittany inspired me, an ordinary farm boy, to explore life, to climb mountains and to write a book.”
In 2015, Brittany was diagnosed with Addison’s disease, a rare condition that can lead to adrenal failure. She passed away in 2017.
The book is an honest, poignant account of Brittany’s legacy and the ripple effect that her outlook on life had on those around her. Among Brittany’s valuable life lessons that Philip shares with readers are:
1. How precious life is and how we can affect the people around us; 2. How an open mind and a positive attitude can inspire us to do things we never thought possible; 3. How to move out of our comfort zones and into a challenging existence that can turn each day into an exciting gift to be explored; 4. How to not let fear control us, and to use our abilities to seek unique, positive and inspiring adventures; 5. To embrace change as a natural part of life; 6. And finally, that we won’t be remembered by our things or our savings accounts, but by how we made other people feel.
“I want to share the same inspiration that I received for 32 years,” Philip added. “In the end, love truly does conquer all, and Brittany wanted us to know that.”
Author Philip Moser grew up on a farm in Angola, Indiana. After high school, he began working in different aspects of the grocery business, a career that continues to this day. He and his wife, Marilyn Wells, raised two incredible daughters, Camille and Brittany.
The Outdoor Citizen: Get Out, Give Back, Get Active - Shows How To Be A Champion For The Outdoors
New York, NY, June 1, 2020 – Fewer cars, trucks, and planes have caused a significant reduction in pollution and an unprecedented improvement in air quality—so while we’ve been sick, the planet’s been healing. The questions are how we can continue to allow the Earth to heal itself, and what are the lessons learned as we move forward? As nature bounces back, we can leverage this disruption and bring about a reconciliation between ourselves, our towns, our cities and mother nature.
In The Outdoor Citizen: Get Out, Give Back, Get Active (Apollo Publishers) John Judge, president and CEO of the Appalachian Mountain Club, America’s oldest (1876) and most vibrant recreation and conservation organization, makes the profound argument that to preserve the environment, a revolution must take place in which every person becomes an advocate for nature and the outdoors. The book sheds light on:
1. how to become an outdoor citizen and effect change on local, state, national and global levels;
2. how to make the outdoors the epicenter of our communities;
3. how to commit to an active outdoor lifestyle;
4. how to turn our cities into Outdoor Cities, with a wide range of green spaces, outdoor recreation activities, eco-friendly transportation, and sustainable food sources;
5. how to ensure our politicians enact environmentally-friendly agendas; and
6. how to build a buzzing economy based off funds from outdoor initiatives and green practices and policies.
Author John Judge is an internationally renowned advocate for the outdoors, conservation stewardship, and advancing the outdoor economy. He has led the Appalachian Mountain Club (AMC) community of hundreds of thousands of outdoor enthusiasts, program participants, conservation advocates, members, volunteers and overnight guests, and AMC’s sustainable growth since 2012. To learn more about his mission, visit www.johnjudge.org. John lives in Boston.
Beginning mid-June through July (and around July 4th), John Judge will be available for national and local media. To discuss reviews, excerpts or interviews, please contact Justin Loeber: 212.260.7576 or Justin.Loeber@mouthdigitalpr.com.
The Outdoor Citizen: Get Out, Give Back, Get Active Apollo Publishers Release Date: July 4, 2020 Hardcover $24.99 ISBN: 978-1-94-806218-3)
Lung Health Foundation Welcomes New Timeline For Patented Medicines Pricing Guidelines
Protecting treatment access for Canadian lung disease patients a top concern
TORONTO, June 1, 2020 /CNW/ - "Today, more than ever, ensuring timely and innovative access to treatments for Canadian lung disease patients is critically important," says George Habib, President & CEO of the Lung Health Foundation. The organization welcomes the news that, after months of consistent patient advocacy, the Patented Medicines Prices Review Board (PMPRB) has announced that they will delay the implementation of their pricing guidelines until January 2021. "We are extremely pleased with Minister Patty Hajdu's decision to postpone the implementation of the patented medicines guidelines," adds Habib.
In April, the PMPRB had communicated that they would be making significant changes to their pricing guidelines in response to the stakeholder feedback they received. The initial guidelines set aggressive price ceilings on patented medicines, threatening access to needed medications and clinical trials for many patient populations.
The Lung Health Foundation had called for a delay to implementation in a recent submission to the Standing Committee on Health, noting that patients and patient groups were becoming increasingly concerned with the approaching July implementation date, which would leave little time for feedback to be considered.
These concerns were augmented by the challenges posed by the COVID-19 pandemic. "The draft guidelines had already begun to result in delayed or suspended drug launches, with several manufacturers choosing not to introduce their product into Canada. We now have the opportunity to work collaboratively with the federal government to ensure this does not occur again" says Peter Glazier, Executive Vice President of the Lung Health Foundation.
The decision to delay the guidelines' implementation has signaled to Canadian patients that the federal government is willing to be responsive to their medical needs. Looking forward, this creates an opportunity for a patient-centered approach to lowering drug prices that guarantees patient access to treatment options that give them the best treatment and quality-of-life.
ABOUT THE LUNG HEALTH FOUNDATION
The Lung Health Foundation is the leading health charity dedicated to improving lung health through a uniquely integrated approach that identifies gaps and fills them through investments in groundbreaking research and urgently needed programs and supports; policy and practice change; and promoting awareness about lung health issues affecting all Canadians.
SOURCE Lung Health Foundation
Solid Rebound Expected for U.S. Sugarbeet Industry
Increased acreage, higher prices and strong demand point to improved outlook for sugarbeet growers and processors
A new report from CoBank’s Knowledge Exchange Division details the market forces and production dynamics that suggest the industry is well-positioned for a financial rebound, as consumer demand for sugar remains high.
“Assuming we return to reasonably normal harvest weather this fall, expectations are for a much bigger crop to be harvested for the 2020-21 season,” said Tanner Ehmke, manager of CoBank’s Knowledge Exchange. “With processors contracting refined sugar at much higher prices, fortunes are expected to turn favorable for growers and processors in the marketing year ahead.”
The U.S. sugarbeet harvest last fall marked the fifth biggest year-over-year decline on record, dropping 14% to 28.6 million short tons. Production in three major sugarbeet-producing states, Minnesota, North Dakota, and Nebraska, fell more than 20%. Abandonment rates nationwide skyrocketed to the highest level since the Great Depression with 13.5% of U.S. planted acres not harvested due to ongoing wet weather issues. Yields also fell to the lowest level in five years due to late planting and poor harvest conditions.
Many U.S. sugarbeet growers financed their spring crop planting with crop insurance indemnity payments and financial aid from USDA while processors struggled with less throughput and lower extraction rates amid high fixed costs.
Wet field conditions this spring have hampered planting efforts for sugarbeet growers. However, total acreage planted is expected to increase over last year and drive production higher. USDA’s Prospective Plantings report forecast U.S. sugarbeet acreage at 1,138,500 acres for 2020, an increase of 6,500 acres compared to 2019.
Ultimately, total acreage will likely be revised upward with farmers expected to make up for lower yields to fulfill their shares of contracted beet production with processors. USDA is currently predicting the 2020-21 sugarbeet crop harvest to increase 18% year-over-year, landing at 33.7 million short tons, assuming a return to normal harvest weather this fall.
With demand remaining strong and refined sugar supplies tightening, the price of Wholesale Refined Beet Sugar has surged to 44 cents per pound, up from 35 cents per pound last fall and the highest since 2012. Raw sugar prices, though, have held steady at around 25 to 27 cents per pound for over the past two years.
COVID-19 has had minimal impact on total demand for sugar in the U.S. While total sales to sugar buyers in the food service sector has suffered due to the loss of customers, retail sales to consumers during the pandemic has skyrocketed.
“With processors contracting an expected large crop in today’s strong price environment, cooperatives are expected to be in a much-improved financial position, enabling them to reinvest proceeds to make plant upgrades and disburse more back to coop members,” said Ehmke.
The full report, “Sugar Outlook: Sweeter Times Ahead for Sugarbeet Growers and Processors,” is available on cobank.com.
About CoBank
CoBank is a $158 billion cooperative bank serving vital industries across rural America. The bank provides loans, leases, export financing and other financial services to agribusinesses and rural power, water and communications providers in all 50 states. The bank also provides wholesale loans and other financial services to affiliated Farm Credit associations serving more than 70,000 farmers, ranchers and other rural borrowers in 23 states around the country.
CoBank is a member of the Farm Credit System, a nationwide network of banks and retail lending associations chartered to support the borrowing needs of U.S. agriculture, rural infrastructure and rural communities. Headquartered outside Denver, Colorado, CoBank serves customers from regional banking centers across the U.S. and also maintains an international representative office in Singapore.
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