Recently, Brooke Rollins, United States Secretary of Agriculture, held an event at Moore Air Base in Texas. At this event, Secretary Rollins announced a new Memorandum of Understanding with the U.S. Department of Homeland Security. The goal of this MOU is to further reinforce the commitment to protect the nation’s food, agriculture, and veterinary systems from New World Screwworm. At …
U.S. peanut growers have a special checkoff program called the National Peanut Board. This year they have a program of work to promote peanuts with a $13.1 million budget for this coming year. They recently met and approved their plan for this coming year. The upcoming season, they said, will focus on how peanut products fuel performance, specifically targeting the …
According to statistics provided by the American Farmland Trust, more than 40 percent of U.S. farmland will change hands at least once over the next 10 to 15 years. This means over 150 million acres will transition to new owners. No surprise, at the core of this major transition period is the aging of current landowners. That data also shows …
Shorthorn Cattle: The Versatile Breed That Supported America’s Westward Expansion As pioneers pushed westward and established farms across the expanding United States, one breed of cattle became an essential part of everyday agricultural life: the Shorthorn. Known for its remarkable versatility, the breed provided milk, meat, and dependable draft power, making it one of the most valuable livestock breeds in …
The FDA is giving farmers, ranchers, veterinarians, and wildlife managers another tool in the fight against New World Screwworm. The agency announced recently an Emergency Use Authorization for CLiK Extra wound spray, a product that can help prevent New World Screwworm infections in a wide range of animals. The authorization covers sheep, cattle, goats, swine, and animals including llamas, alpacas, …
What happened to the Farm Bill? Congress adjourned and are taking a recess, and we’ll be back in mid-September, but Farm Bill 2.0 was not finished. The proposed legislation, commonly known as Farm Bill 2.0, builds upon the historic ag investments that were included in the One Big Beautiful Bill earlier this year. They’re going to further strengthen key farm …
Well, you might say the grain trade is taking yesterday’s production numbers with a grain of salt. Already looking forward to this September report on the 11th. Yesterday’s report was based on farmer surveys. Surveys that were returned anyway, and satellite data. Now, in the coming weeks, private crop scouts and USDA teams will be heading to the fields and …
Chickens Were the First Livestock of the American Frontier When many people think about American agriculture in the 1800s, they often picture vast cattle ranches or large hog operations. However, during the mid-19th century, chickens were actually among the most valuable livestock on many pioneer farms. Their versatility, ease of care, and ability to provide a steady source of food …
The August crop report released at noon today. Most attention on the corn trade. Corn has struggled since reaching highs in mid-July over the 490 level with extended hot, dry weather. Weather since then has been favorable and private estimates that are released keep the national average yield at or near USDA’s 183. In fact, StoneX just last week surprised …
The Humble Beginnings of Midwest Farm Life As settlers pushed westward during the 1840s, the American Midwest became a center of agricultural expansion. Most pioneer families established farms of approximately 100 acres, creating the foundation for what would become one of the world’s most productive farming regions. Life on these early farms was simple and demanding. The typical family lived …
