The Meat Institute has urged the U.S. Trade Representative (USTR) to adopt a robust trade policy for 2025 to support the meat and poultry industry. In comments submitted for the USTR’s National Trade Estimate Report, the institute emphasized the need to remove barriers such as tariffs, restrictive sanitary policies, and registration demands that limit exports. Julie Anna Potts, President and …
USDA Announces Investment to Conserve Forestlands Nationwide
The U.S. Department of Agriculture’s (USDA) Forest Service has committed over $265 million to conserve nearly 335,000 acres of important forestlands across 17 states. This investment, supported by President Biden’s Inflation Reduction Act, is part of the Forest Legacy Program and aims to protect working forests that contribute to rural economies. Agriculture Secretary Tom Vilsack emphasized that these forests provide …
Supporting Local and Regional Food System Development
A series of USDA grants were issued to projects under a set of local and regional food system development and promotion programs. Rod Bain has more. 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 the Florida …
American Agriculture History Minute: Crop Adjustments After the Civil War
I’m Mark Oppold with an American Agriculture History Minute. During the Civil War, wheat prices were higher. Many producers planted more wheat. With the end of the war, the bottom dropped out of wheat prices, and in older fields, wheat yields grew poor. Pests like grasshoppers, cinch bugs attacked the wheat, destroying whole crops in some cases. For many producers, …
Hendry County, Florida Ranch Preserved Through RFLPP
The Florida Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services (FDACS) announced the preservation of more Florida agricultural land through their Rural and Family Lands Protection Program (RFLPP). Howard Cattle Corporation, a 754-acre cattle operation in Hendry County, is being preserved through a rural land protection easement for $4,145,000. Howard Cattle is a 754-acre commercial cow/calf and quarter horse breeding operation in Hendry County. The property is …
Peanut Harvest Continues to Roll Along
Peanut harvest continues to roll along across the Southeast. Tyron Spearman looks at the latest numbers. 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 the Florida Cattle Enhancement BoardJanuary 16, 2026Florida Cattle Industry Supports Administration of …
USMEF Chair on Importance of Checkoff Programs
The U.S. Meat Export Federation (USMEF) held its annual strategic planning conference in Tucson, Ariz. Last week. During the election of officers for 2024-25, Steve Hanson, a rancher and cattle feeder from Elsie, Neb. became the new USMEF chair. And according to a story from Rusty Halvorson, he is a believer in the checkoff programs and how they help USMEF conduct their …
Farm Groups Ready to Work with New Administration
With the annual National Association of Farm Broadcasters (NAFB) Convention underway in Kansas City, Mark Oppold reports that many farm groups are ready to start working with the new Administration when the change occurs on January 20, 2025. Sponsored ContentFlorida Cattle Enhancement Board Track Record Well Received By LegislatorsJanuary 30, 2026Florida Cattle Enhancement Board Supports Beef Education and Promotion ProgramsJanuary …
American Agriculture History Minute: Trade, Barter, Pay Taxes
I’m Mark Oppold with an American Agriculture History Minute. As settlers moved west across the Mississippi River, great expansion continued. Early farmers planted crops that supplied their families and livestock with food. They kept a few chickens a hog or two, a cow, maybe some sheep. They cleared more land each year, grew bigger crops. Extra wheat, corn, oats, or …
Georgia NRCS Reminder of EQIP Sign-Up Due to Hurricane Helene
The USDA Natural Resources Conservation Service in Georgia (NRCS-GA) wants to remind livestock producers affected by Hurricane Helene that signup continues for a new Environmental Quality Incentives Program (EQIP) in 55 counties. Those producers applying for Hurricane Helene EQIP related assistance will need to apply by Friday, November 15th to ensure timely use of special funds made available due to the storm. This Hurricane Helene EQIP related sign-up …










