The calendar turns to April next Wednesday. USDA’s first weekly crop update comes the following Monday, but state ag departments continue their weekly updates and the early picture for winter wheat shows damaged caused by temperature fluctuations the last 30, 45 days. Top producing state, Kansas, reporting good to excellent ratings now below 50%, well below USDA’s fall rating, 62%. And in fact, the lowest early spring …
At the close of the Civil War, a new chapter in American agriculture began across the Kansas prairie. Through government homestead programs, Union Army veterans were offered land as an opportunity to rebuild their lives. More than 100,000 veterans answered the call, setting out to transform open prairie into productive farmland. A New Opportunity After War These men were more …
The recognition of March as National Peanut Month provided the Georgia Peanut Commission (GPC) the opportunity to educate Georgians about peanut’s benefits while also giving back to those in need. During the Georgia PB&J Day in Atlanta in March, the Georgia Peanut Commission and Peanut Proud donated 10,000 jars of peanut butter to the Atlanta Community Food Bank. Peanut butter …
By Clint Thompson Cotton plantings will soon begin across South Georgia, and they’ll start amid exceptional drought conditions in some areas. It’s less than an ideal scenario for growers who need adequate soil moisture to achieve proper plant stand establishment. The Georgia Cotton Commission and Wes Porter, University of Georgia Professor in Crop and Soil Sciences, advise producers on how …
A group of agricultural organizations are requesting the Secretary of Commerce, Howard Lutnick, to revoke the countervailing duty orders on the importation of phosphate fertilizers. In a letter to Secretary Lutnick, the group highlights that Countervailing duty orders will increase the current economic conditions facing American farmers. The letter states, “Maintaining the phosphate fertilizer CVDs will allow a small set …
Peanut farmers and other farmers are trying to get ready to plant this crop, not knowing exactly how many you’re going to plant or what you will be planting. The Georgia Department of Agriculture State Seed Lab encourages you to check your seed, have a seed test done on germination and vigor if you’re saving seed. The easiest way to submit seed to …
U.S. Secretary of Agriculture Brooke Rollins has announced a new Product of USA label for meat, eggs and poultry producers as part of a voluntary labeling standard that became effective on January 1, 2026. Secretary Rollins said, “Our great patriot ranchers and producers grow, raise, and harvest the world’s safest, most affordable, and abundant food supply. American consumers want to …
The next Federal Reserve Board meeting is a little more than a month away. It’s the last one for Board Chairman Powell before his term expires in May, and his last meeting could be an historic one. There’s more talk on Wall Street that the Fed may be looking at three scenarios at their meeting, April 28th, 29th, leaving interest rates unchanged, …
A Humble Beginning in 1938 American agriculture has always depended on innovation—not just in the field, but in how farmers access the tools they need. In 1938, Charles E. Schmidt recognized a major gap and launched a mail-order tractor parts business in Minot, North Dakota. At the time, many farmers faced long travel distances to find replacement parts. Schmidt’s mail-order …
With the signing of the Florida Farm Bill, the agricultural industry is reacting. Jim Spratt, chairman of the Florida Ag Coalition said, “The Florida Ag Coalition membership applauds Commissioner Simpson for championing a strong Florida Farm Bill and thanks Governor DeSantis for signing this important legislation to safeguard family farms, enhance food security through Farmers Feeding Florida and promote the …
