Farmer Bridge Assistance

Livestock Producers Push for Passage of the One Big Beautiful Bill

The National Cattlemen’s Beef Association (NCBA) is highlighting the support from their members for the passage of the Big Beautiful Bill as it makes its way through the legislative process. During the “One, Big, Beautiful Event” held at the White House last week, President Trump highlighted specific efforts and sectors that would be impacted by the bill. Kevin Kester, fifth-generation …

michael kelly

Michael Kelly: The Forgotten Pioneer of Barbed Wire

How Early Fencing Challenges Sparked Innovation in American Livestock History In today’s American Agriculture History Minute, Mark Oppold highlights a lesser-known but significant figure in agricultural innovation: Michael Kelly, a name not often heard, but one that deserves a place in history. As pioneers moved west and livestock numbers grew, one major problem emerged—there were no fences. Animals often wandered …

agriculture

How Native Crops and European Grains Shaped U.S. Agriculture

The Crop Exchange That Built American Farming In this edition of the American Agriculture History Minute, Mark Oppold revisits a pivotal moment in agricultural development—when cultures collided and crops crossed continents to shape what we now know as American agriculture. As settlers expanded westward, Native Americans played a crucial role in introducing farm families to vital crops like sweet potatoes, …

agriculture

America’s First State Fair and Its Agriculture Roots

How Farm Family Rivalry Sparked a National Agricultural Tradition In this edition of the American Agriculture History Minute, Mark Oppold explores the spirited origins of an enduring tradition in U.S. agriculture: the State Fair. It didn’t take long for early American farm families to transform agricultural pride into friendly competition—leading to the birth of the State Fair. New York claims …

Seed Treatments A Focus During UGA Field Tour

By Clint Thompson Seed treatments are a vital part of the peanut production season. How peanut seeds are treated before being planted in the ground can set a grower up for success. Kannar and Albaugh hosted a field tour this week with the University of Georgia to showcase new technologies in development that will boost plant seed production. The tour …

Cotton Gin

Cotton, Cotton Gin, Helped Shape American Ag Economy

From Columbus to the Cotton Gin: The Crop That Changed a Nation In this edition of the American Agriculture History Minute, Mark Oppold shares a pivotal chapter in American farming—how cotton became one of the nation’s most transformative crops. When Christopher Columbus arrived in the New World in 1492, he discovered cotton growing wild. It wasn’t long before the crop …

ncba

Cattle Industry Largely Supports Big Beautiful Bill Tax Provisions

As the Big Beautiful Bill advances in the U.S. Senate, cattle producers are keeping a close watch. NCBA President Buck Wehrbein shared his optimism, especially regarding estate tax reform—a top priority for the industry. Senator John Thune has emerged as a strong ally, championing efforts to preserve the stepped-up basis and oppose the death tax. Wehrbein emphasized that while no …

fair

Senate Tax Bill Maintains Key Provisions for Livestock Producers

The Senate version of the “Big Beautiful Bill” tax package brings mostly positive news for livestock producers. Kent Bacus, NCBA Executive Director of Government Affairs, explained that many provisions from the House version have carried over—most notably, the increase in the estate tax exemption to $15 million per individual ($30 million per couple), adjusted for inflation and made permanent. Other …

markets

New World Screwworm Spread Slows Amid USDA, NCBA Response

U.S. officials are reporting positive developments in the fight against the New World Screw Worm. Once spotted 700 miles from the U.S.-Mexico border, the pest’s northward advance appears to be slowing, thanks in part to intensive surveillance and targeted interventions. USDA Secretary Brooke Rollins recently ordered the border closed to cattle originating from Mexico to prevent the parasite’s spread. Ethan …