Newsroom

Previous Newsroom Items: December 2005

Features

	Rural Hispanics at a glance (December 30, 2005) Hispanics are the fastest growing population group in rural America and are helping to slow population loss in nonmetro counties. This six-page brochure provides data on nonmetro Hispanics’ demographic characteristics, geographic dispersion, employment, income, poverty, and use of social services.

	Food industry mergers, employment, and wages (December 30, 2005) Analysis of mergers and acquisitions in eight important food industries suggests that workers in acquired plants realized modest increases in employment and wages relative to other workers. Results also show that mergers and acquisitions reduced the likelihood of plant closures. The results are contrary to commonly held views on mergers. Get Report Summary (pdf)

	Backgrounder on wheat industry (December 29, 2005) Wheat demand has fallen with changing consumer preferences and strong competition in export markets. In the second of a series of background reports on key U.S. commodities, ERS reviews the operating and financial characteristics of wheat farms, wheat export trends, and recent costs and returns to the sector. The report includes a discussion of government commodity policy and payments affecting the wheat sector.

	Farm household economics and well-being (December 22, 2005) New on-line briefing room presents a synthesis of ERS research, analysis, and outlook on farm operator households. Most farm households derive income from both farm and nonfarm activities, and a consideration of both is essential to assessing economic well-being.

	Summary of latest U.S. agricultural trade data (December 14, 2005) The latest summary of U.S. agricultural trade data is now available. Each month, it is released the day before the full U.S. Agricultural Trade Update. See our calendar of releases for the exact dates.

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