pork exports

U.S. Meat Export Federation Reports U.S. Pork Exports

U.S pork exports maintained a steady movement in April. According to the USDA and U.S. Meat Export Federation this “was led by broad-based growth in Asian and Western Hemisphere markets.” USMEF President and CEO Dan Halstrom reported pork exports totaled 257,212 metric tons in April, 8% above last year, while value increased 6% to $718.1 million. April’s strong performance reflected …

dollar

Increase in Dollar Index

Outside of ag commodities at midweek, the dollar index posting its highest level in 13 months, two-year treasuries trading at 16-month highs, while crude oil continues lower, now the lowest since early in February. Grain trade not the only sector battling support in here at midweek. Bottom line analysts point to the tech sector under pressure early week with those …

barbed wire

Michael Kelly and the Forgotten Story of Barbed Wire

The Invention That Helped Shape American Agriculture American agriculture has been built on innovation, hard work, and the determination of pioneers who transformed the nation’s landscape. Among the many inventions that helped farmers and ranchers succeed, few have had a greater impact than barbed wire. Yet one of the men responsible for its development is often overlooked in history. Michael …

usda

USDA Announces Changes within Marketing and Regulatory Programs

USDA Marketing and Regulatory Programs has announced that they are making organizational improvements within the Agricultural Marketing Service. According to the department, “to enhance efficiency and better align with USDA priorities, AMS will reduce siloing in its Fair Trade Practice Program by moving commodity-specific functions to the appropriate AMS commodity or service programs. For example, oversight of the Perishable Agricultural …

Hassey Brooks

Hassey Brooks Comments on ADA Response to NWS in US

At the recent Alabama Agribusiness Council annual meeting, Southeast AgNet had the opportunity to sit down with Hassey Brooks, Alabama Department of Agriculture Deputy Commissioner. Brooks discussed how Alabama is responding to the Texas New World screwworm detection saying, “Well we’re in a great position with our leadership at the department with Commissioner Payton and also to Dr. Tony Frazier.” …

Mars Wrigley

Mars Wrigley Promoting Peanuts As Part of Their Iconic Brands

At the USA Peanut Congress recently held in Florida, Rachel Thompson of M&M Mars and Mars Wrigley expressed their enthusiasm in the company for peanuts as they expand their portfolio. She said, “we’re excited about what’s happening. Peanuts are the heart of our business at Mars and especially our iconic brands. Mars is promoting peanuts as our hero ingredient, and …

milk

June Milk Reports from USDA

World Agricultural Outlook Board Chair Mark Jekanowski discussed the USDA price forecast for different milk categories this month. Jekanowski said, “A small reduction in our cheese price forecast for 2026 down 4 cents per pound, butter nearly steady up 1 cent per pound. We made a fairly large adjustment to our nonfat by milk price, lowered that by 7 cents …

Route 66

Cattle Industry Celebrating Route 66 Anniversary

Route 66 marked its 100th anniversary this year. NCBA and the Beef Checkoff announced the Route 66 Beef Trail. NCBA and Beef Checkoff have partnered to offer a free mobile pass, allowing travelers along Route 66 to highlight restaurants known for beef entrees, regional beef stories, learning about historic stockyards, historic feed yards, family-owned steakhouses, and of course, award-winning barbecue …

crops

Crops That Shaped Early America: How Native and European Agriculture Built a Nation

As settlers moved westward across North America, agriculture became the foundation of survival, economic growth, and community development. Early American agriculture was not built by a single culture or group of people. Instead, it evolved through the exchange of crops, farming knowledge, and agricultural practices between Native Americans and European immigrants. According to today’s American Agriculture History Minute with Mark …

Strait of Hormuz

TFI Responds to Strait of Hormuz Reopening

The Fertilizer Institute recently released a statement on the reopening of the Strait of Hormuz. The organization called the Strait of Hormuz, “a critical transit route for fertilizer and energy markets. Significant volumes of fertilizer products and raw materials transit the region each year, making stability and predictability essential to agricultural supply chains worldwide.” TFI President and CEO, Corey Rosenbusch …