I’m Mark Oppold with an American Agriculture History Minute. Agriculture in the South was much different than that in the Midwest and in New England. In the Southern states, the poorer lands were held by poorer farmers. The best lands were held by rich plantation owners. All farms grew their own food, but also concentrated on a few new crops …
Signup Deadline for NRCS-Alabama Easement Programs is December 20
The USDA Natural Resources Conservation Service in Alabama (NRCS-AL) wants to remind landowners in the state the deadline for the Fiscal Year 2025 Farm Bill Easement signup through the Agricultural Conservation Easement Program (ACEP) is December 20, 2024. The programs available through ACEP are Wetland Reserve Easements (ACEP-WRE) and Agricultural Land Easements (ACEP-ALE). ACEP-WRE easements provide habitat for fish and wildlife, including threatened and endangered species, improve water quality …
U.S. Border Still Closed to Mexican Cattle
Due to a parasite, the U.S. border is still closed to cattle coming out of Mexico. Rusty Halvorson has more details. A destructive parasite found in livestock and other warm-blooded animals has been identified in Mexico. The New World screwworm was confirmed in a cow on Nov. 22, according to the USDA Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service (APHIS). “Things are looking …
Grain Traders, Wall Street Watching Various Factors
There are various factors that can affect both the grain trade and Wall Street over the next couple of weeks. Mark Oppold looks at those. Sponsored ContentFlorida Cattle Enhancement Board Offers Targeted Research for Florida Cattle IndustryFebruary 20, 2026Florida Cattle Enhancement Board Allows Viable Research in the Cattle IndustryFebruary 6, 2026Florida Cattle Enhancement Board Track Record Well Received By LegislatorsJanuary …
Economists Forecast a Drop in Land Prices
Lower returns to rented land and higher interest rates began signaling the potential for falling farmland prices in 2023. Farmdoc from the University of Illinois says those signals are continuing, with the current fundamentals suggesting land value reductions of approximately three percent in 2025. A three percent drop would be in line with observed adjustments since the 1980s as well …
USDA-NRCS Florida EQIP Disaster Assistance Sign-up Ends December 20
The USDA Natural Resources Conservation Service NRCS in Florida (NRCS-FL) continues to accept applications for disaster assistance funding through Emergency Environmental Quality Incentives Program (EQIP). This is to provide technical and financial assistance to agricultural landowners and producers in recovering from damages caused by Hurricanes Debby, Helene, and Milton. But the sign-up period for this disaster assistance ends December 20, 2024. NRCS-FL will evaluate …
More on Rollins Selection to Lead the USDA
President-elect Donald Trump recently nominated Brooke Rollins to lead the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) starting January 20. Tyron Spearman has more information about the next Agricultural Secretary candidate. Various farm organizations have been positive regarding her selection to run USDA. Sponsored ContentFlorida Cattle Enhancement Board Offers Targeted Research for Florida Cattle IndustryFebruary 20, 2026Florida Cattle Enhancement Board Allows Viable Research …
USDA-NRCS in Georgia EQIP Sign-Up Reminder
The USDA Natural Resources Conservation Service in Georgia (NRCS-GA) wants to remind landowners and producers in the state that sign-up for the Environmental Quality Incentives Program (EQIP) ends December 13, 2024. This signup is an extension of the Fiscal Year 2025 EQIP statewide sign-up that was announced on October 1, 2024. EQIP provides financial and technical assistance to agricultural producers and non-industrial forest managers to address …
Farmer Sentiment after Elections Reaches Highest Levels since May 2021
Farmer sentiment jumped again in November as the Purdue University-CME Group Ag Economy Barometer climbed 30 points to 145. Both the Current Conditions and Future Expectations indices increased in November, with the biggest improvement taking place in future expectations. According to the new report, the Future Expectations Index increased 37 points to 161, while the Current Conditions Index rose to 113, 18 points above October’s reading. November’s sentiment improvement pushed …
Healthy Soils Week Highlights Benefits of Regenerative Farming Practices
This week, the American Farmland Trust (AFT) is promoting the importance of soil health through Healthy Soils Week, a nationwide campaign to raise awareness about sustainable farming practices. Paul Lum, a Senior Agricultural Specialist for AFT, discussed the organization’s efforts and the critical role of healthy soils in agriculture. Founded in 1980, AFT initially focused on protecting farmland through conservation …










