Prices surge in 2024 summer cookout survey

Jun 27, 2024

Farm bureau survey - Sharp rise in cookout meal costs

By Farms.com

The annual Summer Cookout Cost Survey by the American Farm Bureau Federation has revealed a sharp increase in the cost of a typical summer meal, now averaging $71.22 for ten people.

This record-setting figure represents a 5% increase from last year and a 30% rise from five years ago, underscoring a significant trend in rising food prices.

Data collected nationally from volunteer shoppers highlights that nearly all cookout items have seen price increases, notably ground beef and lemonade.

On a positive note, prices for chicken breasts and potato salad ingredients have seen decreases due to a decline in avian influenza impacts and somewhat stable egg prices.

The escalating costs are causing widespread concern among consumers, who are increasingly faced with difficult financial decisions regarding their dietary choices.

Despite these rising costs, it is important to consider that the proportion of income Americans spend on food remains relatively low globally, offering a broader perspective on domestic food affordability challenges.

Video: Dicamba Returns for Georgia Farmers: What the New EPA Ruling Means for Cotton Growers

After being unavailable in 2024 due to registration issues, dicamba products are returning for Georgia farmers this growing season — but under strict new conditions.

In this report from Tifton, Extension Weed Specialist Stanley Culpepper explains the updated EPA ruling, including new application limits, mandatory training requirements, and the need for a restricted use pesticide license. Among the key changes: a cap of two ½-pound applications per year and the required use of an approved volatility reduction agent with every application.

For Georgia cotton producers, the ruling is significant. According to Taylor Sills with the Georgia Cotton Commission, the vast majority of cotton planted in the state carries the dicamba-tolerant trait — meaning farmers had been paying for technology they couldn’t use.

While environmental groups have expressed concerns over spray drift, Georgia growers have reduced off-target pesticide movement by more than 91% over the past decade. Still, this two-year registration period will come with increased scrutiny, making stewardship and compliance more important than ever.