I’m Mark Oppold with an American Agriculture History Minute. Ohio was considered the early agricultural capital of the U.S. in the early 1800s as western expansion continued. Many settlers, after the hard trek over the Appalachians, fell in love with the plains of Ohio and industries continued to grow. By 1810, Dayton had a tobacco processing plant. Cincinnati was known …
CattleFax Forecasts Continued Strong Demand and High Price Outlook for Cattle Producers
(NCBA/SAN ANTONIO, Texas/Feb. 6, 2025) — The popular CattleFax Outlook Seminar, held as part of CattleCon 2025 in San Antonio, Texas, shared expert market and weather analysis today. The U.S. beef industry is poised for another year of strong market performance, driven by tight cattle supplies and robust consumer demand. As the beef cowherd enters a stabilization phase following years …
Government Peanut Purchases
There have been some recent purchases of peanuts by the U.S. Government. Tyron Spearman reports purchases are up twenty percent over the past few months. Sponsored ContentFlorida Cattle Enhancement Board Supports Beef Education and Promotion ProgramsJanuary 23, 2026Florida Cattle Producers Proactive In Research Efforts Funded by the Florida Cattle Enhancement BoardJanuary 16, 2026Florida Cattle Industry Supports Administration of Florida Cattle …
Smithfield CEO Confident in Growth, Downplays Industry Challenges
Smithfield Foods CEO Shane Smith expressed optimism about the company’s future as it returned to the public stock market more than a decade after being acquired by China’s WH Group. Smith emphasized the company’s growth outlook while downplaying concerns about potential labor shortages due to mass deportations and the continued impact of bird flu on the meat industry. Smith said …
Risk Protection Important for Livestock Producers
The Livestock Risk Protection (LRP) program has seen increases in participation over the years. Rusty Halvorson has a story explaining why the USDA Risk Management Agency program is an important one for livestock producers. Sponsored ContentFlorida Cattle Enhancement Board Supports Beef Education and Promotion ProgramsJanuary 23, 2026Florida Cattle Producers Proactive In Research Efforts Funded by the Florida Cattle Enhancement BoardJanuary 16, 2026Florida …
Rollins Could Face Staffing Challenges
Once she becomes Agriculture Secretary, Brooke Rollins could start off facing some staffing challenges. Mark Oppold has more details. Sponsored ContentFlorida Cattle Enhancement Board Supports Beef Education and Promotion ProgramsJanuary 23, 2026Florida Cattle Producers Proactive In Research Efforts Funded by the Florida Cattle Enhancement BoardJanuary 16, 2026Florida Cattle Industry Supports Administration of Florida Cattle Enhancement BoardJanuary 9, 2026Florida Cattle Enhancement …
Rural Mainstreet Economy Contracts Again
The January 2025 Rural Mainstreet Index fell below growth neutral for the 16th time in the past 17 months. For the eighth time in the past nine months, farmland prices took a tumble. On average, bank CEOs who responded to the monthly survey expect annual cash rents of $278 per acre of non-irrigated, non-pasture farmland. Farm equipment sales also dropped, …
Bird Flu Drives Egg Prices Up, No Relief in Sight
The cost of eggs in the United States has surged in recent months, largely due to the ongoing bird flu outbreak that has led to the culling of millions of chickens. Prices have more than doubled since the summer of 2023, and with the Easter season approaching, demand is expected to drive costs even higher. According to the U.S. Department …
USDA-NRCS in Georgia Announces Conservation Stewardship Program Sign-up
The USDA Natural Resources Conservation Service in Georgia (NRCS-GA) has announced a Conservation Stewardship Program (CSP) sign-up. Agricultural producers and forest landowners looking to build on previous conservation efforts should apply by March 7 to be included in this funding batch. “Through the Conservation Stewardship Program, our customers continue to raise the bar on their conservation operations,” said Terrance O. Rudolph, state conservationist for NRCS …
USDA-NRCS in Alabama Reminds Producers about CSP
The USDA Natural Resources Conservation Service in Alabama (NRCS-AL) wants to remind producers in the state about the Conservation Stewardship Program (CSP). NRCS offers CSP through continuous sign-ups. The program provides many benefits, including increased crop yields, decreased inputs, wildlife habitat improvements and increased resilience to adverse weather. CSP is for working lands, including organic and traditional agricultural cropland and pastureland, as well as …










