post-Civil War wheat prices

Post-Civil War Wheat Prices Push Farmers Toward Corn and Livestock

Wheat Boom During the Civil War Gives Way to a Market Collapse During the Civil War, strong wheat prices encouraged many American farmers to plant more of the crop. With wheat bringing attractive returns, producers expanded acreage to take advantage of the favorable market. But the situation changed dramatically when the war ended. Wheat prices fell sharply, leaving farmers who …

wolf management

USDA Encourages States to Review Wolf Management Policies

U.S. Secretary of Agriculture Brooke Rollins released a statement recently encouraging state partners to reassess wolf management policies, as well as strengthening engagement with livestock producers to address wolf predation. This has been spurred after President Trump’s order to, quote, support America’s ranchers. Secretary Brooke Rollins said, “For too long, America’s ranchers have dealt with wolves threatening and killing their …

august

USMEF August Export Report

U.S. beef exports posted a strong performance in August, while pork exports slipped compared to a year ago. According to data released by USDA and compiled by the U.S. Meat Export Federation, August beef exports totaled more than 86,000 metric tons of 4% from last year. Export value climbed 13% to nearly $786 million. Strong demand from Taiwan and a …

Ralston Purina

Ralston Purina: A New Era in American Animal Feed

From Grain Production to Better Animal Nutrition As American agriculture expanded in the late 19th century, farmers continued looking for ways to improve the production and quality of grain. But by the 1880s and 1890s, agricultural innovation was increasingly moving beyond crop production and toward livestock. Farmers and agricultural businesses were paying greater attention to animal production and meat quality, …

Shelters Open in Alabama in Preparation for Tropical Storm

In preparation for Tropical Storm Isaias expected to make landfall in Alabama on Friday evening, the Alabama Department of Agriculture has released a press release saying, “The ADAI has been in contact with our partners to provide temporary sheltering facilities for evacuated livestock. Animals moving in response to Tropical Storm Isaias will be exempt from a certificate of veterinary inspection.” …

livestock

Examples of USDA Efforts in Support of Presidential Executive Orders to Boost Livestock and Meat Industries

With the recent presidential executive orders aimed at helping boost the nation’s livestock and meat industries, Undersecretary for Food Safety, Mindy Brashears, shares more details. “Some of the barriers that we face are really related to inspection and having access to inspected slaughter facilities. In some areas of the country, we’ve been told that it can take up to a …

NWS Fly

First Captured Wild NWS Fly

The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) in a post on X from the New World Screwworm Rapid Response account confirmed the first captured wild New World Screwworm (NWS) fly. This fly was caught in a trap located in Brewster County, Texas. The post also describes NWS combat strategies, saying, “Our surveillance system is working, using targeted fly traps, animal checks, …

World Forage Super Bowl

World Forage Super Bowl Competition

The winner of the Super Bowl will be announced tomorrow in Madison, Wisconsin. It’s the 42nd year of the World Forage Super Bowl competition, all part of the World Dairy Expo that kicks off today in Madison. Over 230 entries, some from this area, sent samples of hay in August. They were tested, analyzed, and scored. Nearly $30,000 in prize …

nppc

NPPC Fall Legislative Action Conference

Nearly 150 pork producers from across the country traveled to Washington D.C. pressing lawmakers on issues they say are critical to the future of the U.S. pork industry. The producers, representing nearly 30 states, took part in the National Pork Producers Council‘s Fall Legislative Action Conference. The top priority during this conference was a new farm bill that includes a …

hog

Hog and Pig Reports

If this afternoon’s quarterly hogs and pig report is considered neutral by the trade, it could provide support to hog futures. CME’s latest lean hog index, the lowest since late January. Managed money traders hold record short positions, with over 31,000 contracts. Bottom line analysts suggest that we may have established a bottom December lean hog last week near that …