Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell and Minority Leader Chuck Schumer are expected to appoint their members of the farm bill conference committee this week. Politico says the upper chamber will need to clear some procedural hurdles on the floor before that can officially happen. During the last farm bill debate, 12 senators, including seven from the majority and five from …
Large Livestock Loan Drive Rise in Farm Lending
The Federal Reserve’s Agricultural Finance Databook says lending activity in the agricultural sector increased slightly in the second quarter of 2018. The overall number of non-real estate farm loans was roughly two percent higher than at the same time in 2017. The slight increase was supported primarily by larger loans for livestock. In the short term, The Kansas City Fed …
Continued Drought Could Lead to Cattle Culling in Southern States
A Texas A & M AgriLife Extension expert says southern beef producers should be planning ahead when it comes to the size of their herds, should the drought continue. Jason Banta says a shortage of forage and hay might mean producers would need to reduce their herd sizes. A plan to cull their herds could save producers money in both …
Agri View: Beef Exports Challenged
Everett Griner talks about beef exports being challenged in the United States, and the affect Australia will have on our exports of beef, in today’s Agri View. Beef Exports Challenged U.S. cattlemen, the largest producers in the world, are also the world’s largest exporters of beef. Japan and South Korea are the biggest importers. Followed by Canada and Mexico. When …
FAPRI Looks at Peanuts
During the 20th Annual Southern Peanut Growers Conference this past weekend in Miramar Beach, Florida Dr. Pat Westhoff, director of the Food and Agricultural Policy Research Institute (FAPRI) talked about how peanuts are being impacted by the current economic situation. AgWired’s Cindy Zimmerman talked with him about that and the uncertain trade situation. FAPRI Looks at Peanuts Sponsored ContentCIR Agriculture Harvester ProductsJuly 1, 2026FL Cattle Enhancement Board …
Ag & Bio Engineering Chair Can’t Be Confined to a Cube
As she grew up in rural Arkansas, Kati Migliaccio’s interest in agricultural engineering came naturally. She liked math, science and problem solving, so she wanted an engineering career, but not one that confined her to an office or lab. “I wanted a career that involved engineering, with an outdoor component,” said Migliaccio, who was recently named chair of the agricultural …
Peanut Producers Attend Annual Conference
The 20th Annual Southern Peanut Growers Conference was held this past weekend in Miramar Beach, Florida. Some of those attending included Caleb Bristow, executive director of the Alabama Peanut Producers Association, Ken Barton, executive director of the Florida Peanut Producers Association and Don Koehler, executive director of the Georgia Peanut Commission. AgWired’s Cindy Zimmerman talked with each of them. Alabama-Caleb Bristow Florida-Ken Barton Georgia-Don Koehler Sponsored ContentCIR …
Reports Show Beef Herd Expansion Slowing Down
Last Friday, the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) released two reports concerning the cattle industry. The semi-annual Cattle Inventory report shows that as of July 1, all cattle and calves in the United States totaled 103 million head, 1 percent above the 102 million head on July 1, 2017. All cows and heifers that have calved, at 41.9 million head, …
Planting for Your Fall Harvest of Vegetables
You want to harvest vegetables year round? Cathy Isom tells us what you should think about planting right now for your Fall harvest. That’s coming up on This Land of Ours. Planting for Your Fall Harvest In just a couple of months, the fall harvest will begin. So now is the time to think about what you’ll want to see pop …
Farmers Express Frustration Over Trump Trade Tactics
American farmers are carrying the burden of trade tariffs put in place by President Donald Trump and they were in Washington this week to discuss it during a congressional hearing. Farmers shared concerns that included shrinking export markets, rising costs, and bankers who would be more reluctant to loan money for operating costs. Scott VanderWal, American Farm Bureau vice president, …