Today’s Harvest Blog

As Thanksgiving approaches, we may find ourselves looking back on the past year and appreciating the many reasons to be grateful. Even when challenges arise, it’s important to recognize the good that surrounds us. With the spirit of reflection in mind, we wanted to share some thoughts of gratitude from Farm Credit East employees.

Across the country, dairy producers are seeing an unexpected bright spot in their bottom lines — record-high calf prices. In the past month, feeder cattle prices have reached record highs, with beef calf prices surpassing $1,600 per head. The growing beef-on-dairy trend has transformed calf sales into a meaningful revenue stream, adding $3.00 or more per hundredweight to many producers’ bottom lines.

Each November, as our nation pauses to honor the brave individuals who have served in the U.S. Armed Forces, Farm Credit East proudly joins in expressing deep gratitude to our veterans. Their courage, sacrifice and unwavering commitment to protecting our freedoms deserve recognition not just on Veterans Day, but every day.

On October 2, 2025, the U.S. Department of Labor issued a new Interim Final Rule (IFR) that significantly revises how Adverse Effect Wage Rates (AEWRs) are calculated for H-2A guestworkers. AEWRs set the minimum hourly wages that must be paid to H-2A workers and those in corresponding employment. This rule introduces major changes affecting wage structures across Farm Credit East’s eight-state region, with important implications for farm operations and labor management.