I’m Mark Oppold with an American Agriculture History Minute. No surprise, the U.S. economy was primarily agriculturally based in the early 19th century. Westward expansion, including the Louisiana Purchase and the American victory in the War of 1812, plus the building of canals, the introduction of steamboats, opened new areas of opportunities for agriculture. Still, most farming was designed to …
Weekly Livestock Market Report Week Ending 12-06-2024
Here are the weekly livestock market reports for Alabama, Florida, and Georgia, for the week ended December 6, 2024, compiled by the Livestock Market News Service for all three states. AL Livestock Market Report: At Alabama Livestock Auctions, for the week ended December 06, 2024, receipts at 16 markets totaled 16,290 head compared to 0 last week due to markets …
Disaster Tax Relief Bill Passes in U.S. Senate
The U.S. Senate has passed the Federal Disaster Tax Relief Act (H.R. 5863). The legislation, in addition to providing much needed relief to victims of hurricanes, also provides tax relief for cattle producers who received payments due to wildfires. Previously, these payments counted as taxable income, meaning producers who already suffered from disasters were hurt again by having their relief …
New Federal Order Announced by USDA
Begins National Milk Testing Strategy to Address H5N1 in Dairy Herds New Federal Order Will Require National Milk Testing and Support State Officials and Dairy Regulators; Builds on Actions to Protect Farms, Farmworkers and Communities from H5N1 Avian Influenza (USDA-APHIS/WASHINGTON/Dec. 6, 2024) – The U.S. Department of Agriculture’s (USDA) Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service (APHIS) is announcing the start of …
Highlands County Ranch Preserved through Florida’s Rural and Family Lands Protection Program
The Florida Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services (FDACS) has announced the preservation of more Florida farmland through their Rural and Family Lands Protection Program (RFLPP). The Bar Rocking C Ranch, a 1,070-acre cattle operation in Highlands County, is being preserved through a rural lands protection easement for $4,300,000. Bar Rocking C Ranch is a cattle ranch in western Highlands County, approximately 8.3 miles …
Tough Year for Peanut Prices
The peanut market was hampered by various weather conditions this year. Tyron Spearman looks back at how the season progressed and where some contracts being offered currently stand. Sponsored ContentFlorida Cattle Enhancement Board Track Record Well Received By LegislatorsJanuary 30, 2026Florida Cattle Enhancement Board Supports Beef Education and Promotion ProgramsJanuary 23, 2026Florida Cattle Producers Proactive In Research Efforts Funded by …
Corporate Transparency Act Halted by Texas Court
This week, a Texas court halted the implementation of the Corporate Transparency Act’s (CTA) beneficial ownership reporting requirements that included America’s farmers, ranchers, and agribusinesses. Mark Oppold has more details. According to the National Association of Farm Broadcasters, the preliminary relief will remain in effect until the conclusion of legal proceedings, at which point the court may enter a permanent injunction. In …
Research Efforts with Genetics and a Beef-Dairy Cow Hybrid
New technologies are being discussed when it comes to sustainability in the beef and dairy industry. According to a story from Rusty Halvorson, efforts continue to look at how crossing desirable traits in both dairy and beef cattle can produce animals that provide value-added for producers. Sponsored ContentFlorida Cattle Enhancement Board Track Record Well Received By LegislatorsJanuary 30, 2026Florida Cattle …
Tyson, Cargill Announce Layoffs
A company letter released this week by the state of Minnesota says Cargill will permanently terminate almost 500 employees in the state, which is home to the company’s corporate headquarters. The terminations will begin on February 5. Cargill recently announced it would cut approximately five percent of its overall staff after revenue took a hit in its most recent fiscal …
American Agriculture History Minute: Learning the Laws of Supply and Demand
I’m Mark Oppold with an American Agriculture History Minute. Farmers and ranchers in early American agriculture quickly learned about the laws of supply and demand. The cotton gin made it possible to increase cotton production in the South, for example, and cotton became a major export crop. But eventually, the increased supply would put severe downward pressure on cotton prices. …










