American Agriculture History Minute

American Agriculture History Minute: Best Remembered for Producing Louisiana’s First Granular Sugar

Dan American Agriculture History Minute, Specialty Crops, Sugar, This Land of Ours

I’m Mark Oppold with an American Agriculture History Minute. Etienne DeBorre is a little-known figure in American agriculture. Born in 1741 in a small village along the Mississippi River in Illinois. Etienne spent most of his life in Louisiana, and it was there that he’s best remembered for producing Louisiana’s first granulated sugar. His innovation encouraged producers there to plant …

interest

Sorghum Interest is Growing

Dan Specialty Crops, Sugar

Believe it or not, but interest in sorghum is growing, as the cereal grain holds a lot of potential.  “We see sorghum as so much more than just another crop,” says Nate Blum, CEO of Sorghum United, dedicated to advancing sorghum cultivation globally.  The rising interest in sorghum is being driven largely by its suitability to hotter, drier growing conditions, …

hurricane debby

USDA Assists Farmers, Ranchers, and Communities Affected by Hurricane Debby

Dan Agri-Business, Aquaculture, Beef, Cattle, Citrus, Corn, Cotton, Cover Crops, Crop Insurance, Dairy, Economy, Equine, Field Crops, Florida, Forestry, Fruits, Funding, Georgia, Hemp, Herbs, Hydroponics, Livestock, Livestock Indemnity Program (LIP), Peanuts, Pecans, Soybeans, Specialty Crops, Sugar, Tree Nuts, USDA, USDA-FSA, USDA-RMA, Vegetables, Wheat

(USDA/WASHINGTON, August 7, 2024) — Agriculture Secretary Tom Vilsack has directed the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) to aid recovery efforts for farmers, ranchers and residents affected by Hurricane Debby, which continues its track up the East Coast. USDA staff in offices across the country are ready to respond with a variety of program flexibilities and other assistance to producers and …

Maple Syrup

More Maple Syrup This Year

Dan Economy, Specialty Crops, Sugar, This Land of Ours

Some would call it a breakfast staple. Why there’s more maple syrup coming this season. That’s coming up on This Land of Ours. The latest USDA outlook on maple syrup production indicates more product this season after a year-over-year production rebound. Rod Bain reports. Sponsored ContentNuseed Carinata Covers New GroundOctober 1, 2024CIR Agriculture Harvester ProductsJuly 1, 2024TriEst Ag Group: Partners …

US Sugar Production Strong

Dan Specialty Crops, Sugar

The University of Missouri Food and Agricultural Policy Research Institute recently released its 2024 Outlook for U.S. Agriculture (.pdf). They project that American sugar production remains strong and expect production to grow despite challenges seen over the past couple of years. Those challenges include factory closures in Montana and Texas. “Despite the new and existing challenges, the forecast is bright …

Farm Bureau Backs American Sugar Producers

Dan American Farm Bureau Federation (AFBF), Specialty Crops, Sugar

The American Farm Bureau Federation (AFBF) is backing sugar producers. As part of the policy resolutions set during their recent national convention, the American Farm Bureau continued support for a no-cost sugar policy. Cassie Bladow, chairperson of the American Sugar Alliance says the alliance appreciates farm bureau’s support, and they appreciate having AFBF as a strong partner as they advocate for …

Cost of Thanksgiving Dinner Down Slightly from Record High in 2022

Dan American Farm Bureau Federation (AFBF), Citrus, Commodities, Economy, Field Crops, Fruits, Herbs, Pecans, Poultry, Specialty Crops, Sugar, Tree Nuts, USDA-AMS, Vegetables

(AFBF/WASHINGTON/November 15, 2023) — Gathering around the table for a Thanksgiving dinner won’t take as much of a toll on your pocketbook this year compared to 2022, but the meal still reflects historically high costs. The American Farm Bureau Federation’s (AFBF) 38th annual survey provides a snapshot of the average cost of this year’s classic holiday feast for 10, which …

Kildee’s Request for Farm Bill Sugar Policy

Dan Farm Bill, Legislative, Regulation, Specialty Crops, Sugar

If it’s not broken, don’t fix it. That’s the resounding message from Michigan Congressman Dan Kildee (D-MI-08) when it comes to the nation’s sugar policy. “We have a system right now that ensures that domestically grown sugar is sold into the markets before we allow for competition to come from offshore. This kind of protection allows American sugar growers to …

Sugar Policy and International Trade Topics of Discussion

Dan Agri-Business, Exports/Imports, Legislative, Specialty Crops, Sugar, Trade

The House Ways and Means Committee this week held a field hearing on trade with a focus on agriculture and critical supply chains. The hearing took place in Kimball, Minnesota on the farm of NCBA president Don Schiefelbein of Schiefelbein Farms. U.S. sugar policy and international sugar trade were among the topics of discussion, with Congressman Dan Kildee of Michigan …

Ian Florida Agriculture Losses Estimated at $1B

Dan Agri-Business, Citrus, Field Crops, Florida, Fruits, Nursery Crops, Organic, Specialty Crops, Sugar, Vegetables

(NSF/TALLAHASSEE, FL/February 9, 2023) — Hurricane Ian caused an estimated $1 billion in agricultural-production losses, with the biggest hits to the citrus industry, along with growers of vegetables and melons, according to a new University of Florida report. The report from the UF-Institute of Food and Agricultural Sciences also doesn’t include damage to such things as buildings and equipment, which …