As of Tuesday, November 18, the drought monitor report indicates no real change from last week. The six-to ten-day outlook (November 25 to 29) indicates a 33 to 40% chance of leaning below normal for temperatures and a 33 to 40% chance of leaning above normal for precipitation. The eight to fourteen-day outlook (November 27 to December 3) indicates a 40 to 50% chance of leaning below normal for temperatures and 33 to 40% chance of leaning above normal for precipitation.
Next week is Thanksgiving. While data indicates that inflation has eased a bit over the last ten months, prices are still higher, and polling indicates the increased cost for feeding a family is a major concern for many Americans. According to the USDA Economic Research Service prices from 2020 to 2024 increased 23.6%. Only transportation increased more and housing inflation almost equaled food. Overall, food prices continued to rise in 2025. Naturally, this is a concern for families but also to politicians and even corporations like Walmart. Walmart puts out every year at this time a “how much to feed your family at Thanksgiving” of items. This year they showed a slight decrease in prices, however, there were fewer items and more store brands. Even Walmart knows the mood of consumers regarding food costs. Walmart has made a concerted effort to lower some prices and promote those decreases. Walmart isn’t being picked on, it’s simply the most well-known example and many other food retailers work to show they are fighting food inflation. Today’s article isn’t about delving into all the reasons for inflation but to promote an understanding of where the farmer/producer of foodstuffs stands in terms of their share of what you pay.
The National Farmers Union has excellent information on the farmers’ share of the cost for your Thanksgiving meal this year. These are based on the average retail price. The producers share of the average turkey price is $0.06/pound or about 2.4%. If you are buying a two pound boneless ham, the producer receives 12.2%. If you are buying Russet potatoes they receive 13.5% of the price. The cranberry producer fares the best as they receive 31.95 of the average cost you would pay. If you purchase stuffing mix, the good stuff, the farmer share is 1.3%. Purchasing dinner rolls, and it depends on the type, only 2.02% of that price goes to producers. This information is from the USDA, and we could go on and on.