TIFTON, Ga. – Donald Chase, peanut farmer from Oglethorpe, Georgia, was elected chairman of the Georgia Peanut Commission during the commission’s January monthly board meeting. This is Chase’s first term serving as chairman. He previously served as vice chairman and succeeds Joe Boddiford of Sylvania, Georgia. “2026 is a year of change at the Georgia Peanut Commission. I am honored …
Early Challenges for Colorado Settlers Colorado’s agricultural story began with significant obstacles. Early settlers crossing what is now Nebraska and Kansas encountered land that seemed nearly worthless. “After a long dry trek, they saw little or no value when crossing over to what is now Colorado,” explains Mark Oppold in American Agriculture History Minute. The soil was sandier than in …
Florida Cattlemen’s Association Hosts Annual Boots on the Hill The Florida Cattlemen’s Association (FCA) recently held its annual Boots on the Hill event during the legislative quarterly, bringing together around 200 cattle producers to advocate for the state’s cattle industry. The event provides an opportunity for ranchers to meet directly with legislators and key decision-makers in Tallahassee. We spoke with …
USDA Launches New Online Portal to Report Foreign Ownership of U.S. Farmland The U.S. Department of Agriculture has launched a new online reporting portal designed to improve transparency and oversight of transactions involving U.S. agricultural land owned by foreign persons. The portal supports reporting requirements under the Agricultural Foreign Investment Disclosure Act of 1978 (AFIDA) and applies to transactions conducted …
National Peanut Board: Global Peanut Market Growth Hinges on Innovation and Allergy Education Today’s conversation with Ryan Lepizier, President and CEO of the National Peanut Board (NPB), highlights both the opportunity and responsibility facing the U.S. peanut industry. According to Lepizier, the global peanut market is projected to grow significantly, expanding from an estimated $92 billion today to $144 billion …
USDA Announces New World Screwworm Grand Challenge Funding Opportunity U.S. Secretary of Agriculture Brooke Rollins has announced a major new funding initiative aimed at protecting American livestock and safeguarding the nation’s food supply. The program, called the New World Screwworm (NWS) Grand Challenge, focuses on innovation, preparedness, and long-term prevention of the destructive pest that poses a serious threat to …
A Doubtful Beginning for Minnesota Apples In 1860, Minnesota was not considered a place where apples could thrive. That skepticism was famously captured by journalist and editor Horace Greeley, who wrote in the New York Tribune, “I would not live in Minnesota because you can’t grow apples there.” At the time, his assessment reflected a common belief: the state’s short …
Here are the weekly livestock market reports for Alabama, Florida, and Georgia for the week ended January 23, 2026, compiled by the Livestock Market News Service for all three states. AL Livestock Market Report: At Alabama Livestock Auctions, for the week ended- January 23, 2026, receipts at 16 markets totaled 8,497 head compared to 11,439 last week and 3,390 last …
U.S. Secretary of Agriculture Brooke Rollins announced that enrollment for the 2026 Dairy Margin Coverage (DMC) Program is now open during the American Farm Bureau Federation Convention. The program provides financial assistance to dairy producers when the margin between the average feed cost and all-milk price falls below the coverage level selected by the producer. Secretary Rollins emphasized the importance …
The Florida Cattle Enhancement Board continues to provide vital funding for research, promotion, and educational efforts within the state’s beef industry. This support helps programs that aim to educate both the public and professionals about beef production, quality, and safety standards. Rick Hartman, chairman of the Florida Beef Council, highlighted some of the food service educational events made possible through …
