The Senate Agriculture Committee convened a hearing on Tuesday and expressed a great deal of concern over the trade strategy of President Donald Trump and its effects on the U.S. farm economy. Politico says farm-state senators used the opportunity to direct Ag Secretary Sonny Perdue to impress on the Trump administration just how sensitive commodity markets are to trade actions. …
Soybean Growers Talking Tariffs, Trade on Capitol Hill
American Soybean Association farmer-leaders from across the country are on Capitol Hill this week to talk with lawmakers about the potential impact of Chinese tariffs on U.S. soybeans. ASA President John Heisdorffer says China purchases 61 percent of U.S. soybean exports, as well as 30 percent of the overall U.S. soybean production. “In short, trade with China matters and is …
Agri View: Tough Year for Cotton Farmers
Everett Griner talks about the the tough year cotton farmers had in 2017 in today’s Agri View. Everett looks at what happened with the cotton crop last year. What affected the crop the most? Tough Year for Cotton Farmers It is in the books now. 2017 was a tough year for cotton farmers. It wasn’t the crop. It was the …
USDA Rural Development Innovation Center Launches Interactive Webpage
To Share Best Practices for Rural Economic Development Assistant to the Secretary for Rural Development Anne Hazlett today unveiled a new interactive webpage to identify best practices for building rural prosperity. “Rural communities need forward-thinking strategies to build strong, resilient futures,” Hazlett said. “USDA’s Rural Development Innovation Center is focused on identifying unique opportunities, pioneering new, creative solutions to tough challenges, …
Secretary Perdue Commemorates First Year at USDA
U.S. Secretary of Agriculture Sonny Perdue commemorated his first year at the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) by releasing a new interactive website and USDA Secretary Sonny Perdue: Year One video(below). In his first year, Secretary Perdue and the USDA team made breakthroughs in agricultural trade, moved to reduce burdensome regulations, responded to natural disasters, and battled through the worst fire season on …
Agricultural Broadband Bill Important Milestone, Farm Bureau Says
The Senate Commerce Committee approved S. 2343, the Precision Agriculture Connectivity Act of 2018. The bipartisan bill is an important milestone in delivering broadband service crucial to the operation of modern farming equipment. The bill would create a task force to focus on the connectivity and technology needs of modern farmers who are too often without broadband in the fields …
National FFA Presents Bill to Amend Federal Charter on House Floor
A new bill amending the charter of the National FFA Organization was introduced in the House yesterday by Representatives Glenn Thompson (R-Penn.), and Representative Jim Langevin (D-R.I.). Senators Todd Young (R-Ind.), Donnelly (D-Ind.), James Lankford (R-Okla.), and Doug Jones (D-Ala.) introduced legislation in the Senate in February. The charter, which originally passed as Public Law 81-740 in the 1950s, publicly …
UF Shares Poultry Health Research with Commercial Farmers in Syria
The conflict in Syria has caused more than $16 billion in crop and livestock losses and destroyed farming assets, according to a 2017 report from the United Nations’ Food and Agriculture Organization. Since 2011, household livestock ownership in the war-torn nation has plummeted, down by 47 percent for poultry, the report states. Against that backdrop, in an area deemed not …
Argentina Peanut Crop Update
Peanut harvest is underway in Argentina, Tyron Spearman has an update on how the crop for this competitor to U.S. peanuts is looking. Argentina Peanut Crop Update Sponsored ContentCIR Agriculture Harvester ProductsJuly 1, 2026FL Cattle Enhancement Board Wraps up Funding YearJune 30, 2026Florida Cattle Enhancement Board Awarded Researcher Discusses New World Screwworm OverviewJune 19, 2026Verdant Robotics Offers Growers Targeted Application …
Broiler Producers Defying the Usual Rules of Economics
U.S. beef and pork production is rising, while beef cattle and hog prices are falling. But, more production doesn’t always mean lower prices. Gary Crawford reports the broiler industry is proving that. Broiler Producers Defying the Usual Rules of Economics Sponsored ContentCIR Agriculture Harvester ProductsJuly 1, 2026FL Cattle Enhancement Board Wraps up Funding YearJune 30, 2026Florida Cattle Enhancement Board Awarded …