National Peanut Day

National Peanut Day

National Peanut Day is coming up September the 13th. It honors the versatility and the rich heritage of peanuts, which is a beloved snack in America. National Peanut Day is a chance to work some peanuts into a healthy diet, used in most any way with tasty lunchbox snacks or as tasty stir-fry sauce. Peanuts make a great snack that …

Harvest Rates

Custom Harvest Rates to Change

Custom harvest rates, of course, can vary from state to state and crop to crop. Universities suggest custom operators carefully figure the cost of fuel this year before figuring a final rate. To be helpful, University of Illinois suggests a custom rate for corn, $54.40 an acre. Soybeans, $47.60, including overhead, fuel and labor. Iowa State University shows $50.60 an …

Final Stretch of Season: UGA Entomologist Cautions Cotton Growers Against Jassid

By Clint Thompson The University of Georgia (UGA) Cotton and Peanut Research Field Day provided UGA Extension cotton entomologist Phillip Roberts another chance to update attendees about the cotton jassid. The jassid had a significant impact on Georgia cotton in 2025, but its impact has been minimal so far this year. That could be changing, however, says Roberts. “The main …

National Farmers Union

National Farmers Union Comments on Ranchers First Initiative

In response to the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s Ranchers First Initiative, National Farmers Union President Rob Larew released a press release saying, “We’re glad to see the administration focus on the U.S. beef market and several pieces of this plan are steps in the right direction. Better risk protection tools, expanded credit, and new processing loans will help, but they …

Charles Hatcher

Remembering Charles Hatcher

A good friend to agriculture has passed. Former Congressman Charles Hatcher of Albany and Camilla, Georgia, has passed at 87. He graduated from Georgia Southern University and later earned a law degree from the University of Georgia Law School. He developed a thriving law practice in Albany, Georgia for many years, and then he started serving in the Georgia House …

Federal Reserve

Federal Reserve Board Meeting Upcoming

Markets back open today. It appears that there are a lot of nervous traders on Wall Street and to a lesser degree in Chicago. Federal Reserve Board’s September meeting opens a week from today. Latest CME FedWatch tool gives traders reason to be nervous in our view. Current FedWatch tool shows a 38% chance there’ll be no change in rates, …

linseed

From Linseed Oil to ADM: The Unlikely Partnership That Built an Ag Giant

Archer and Daniels Begin a Linseed Business In 1902, two very different businessmen—George A. Archer and John W. Daniels—joined forces to establish a linseed crushing business that would eventually become part of the story of one of America’s largest agricultural companies: Archer Daniels Midland, better known as ADM. At the time, linseed oil was an important industrial product. Produced from …

Ranchers First Initiative

Secretary Rollins breaks down Ranchers First Initiatives

Secretary of Agriculture Brooke Rollins recently outlined new actions to build upon USDA’s 2026 plan to fortify the American beef industry. The ranchers first initiative is a package of actions aimed at rebuilding the great American beef herd. Secretary Rollins breaks down the actions in further detail saying, “In Nebraska we talked about the new effort to retain heifers under …

peanut harvest

Peanut Harvesting Time

South Georgia, Florida, and Alabama are now preparing for peanut harvest time. The growers are keeping a close eye on the skies, trying to make sure they get back into the field, and the global markets navigating a highly complicated crop season. While Georgia comfortably leads the nation in peanut production, maintaining the dominance this season requires farmers to manage …

Stephen Babcock

Stephen Babcock: The Test That Changed Dairy Farming

Milk production has long been an important part of American agriculture, but determining the quality and value of milk required better ways to measure its components. One scientist whose work transformed the dairy industry was Stephen Babcock, whose research ultimately led to the development of the Babcock Test for measuring milk’s butterfat content. Born on a farm in upstate New …