public comment period

One Week Left to Enroll in Commodity Safety Net Programs

Agricultural producers who have yet to enroll in the Agriculture Risk Coverage (ARC) or Price Loss Coverage (PLC) programs for the 2025 crop year have until April 15th to revise elections and sign contracts.  Both safety net programs, delivered by the USDA Farm Service Agency (FSA), provide?vital income support to eligible farmers who experience substantial declines in crop prices or revenues for the 2025 crop year.?? …

index numbers

Concerns with Index Numbers

When it comes to the market trends the past few days, Mark Oppold notes there are some real concerns with the index numbers. 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 of Herbicides or Beneficials …

fertilizer

American Agriculture History Minute: Fertilizer Invented

I’m Mark Oppold with an American Agriculture History Minute. When one thinks of inventions that change the face of American agriculture, things like the steam engine, threshing machine, the cotton gin, and moldboard plow come to mind. But high on that list, and one that many times slips by our memories, fertilizer. The actual history of fertilizer likely goes back …

USMEF

Beef And Pork Exports Lower Than Same Time Last Year

The US Meat Export Federation is reporting that the February exports of US Pork and Beef are lower than the same time period in 2024, according to data released by USDA. US Pork exports were down 4 percent from the year ago volume with values falling 2 percent. US beef exports were down 5.5 percent in February from this time …

Georgia Governor

Georgia General Assembly Wraps Up Work In Atlanta

The Georgia General Assembly wrapped up work for the 2025 legislative session with several bills impacting agriculture enacted this session. We caught up with Will Bentley with the Georgia Agribusiness Council to get a recap on this year’s session. Sponsored ContentCIR Agriculture Harvester ProductsJuly 1, 2026FL Cattle Enhancement Board Wraps up Funding YearJune 30, 2026Florida Cattle Enhancement Board Awarded Researcher …

agricultural trade

USDA Launching Agricultural Trade Promotion Programs

The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) is launching agricultural trade promotion programs for 2025 and accepting applications for four export market development programs. Tyron Spearman has more details. Through the Market Access Program, Foreign Market Development Program, Technical Assistance for Specialty Crops Program, and Emerging Markets Program, USDA establishes public-private partnerships with non-profit U.S. agricultural trade associations, farmer cooperatives, non-profit state-regional trade groups, state …

Weekly crop

Weekly Crop Reports Resume

Weekly crop progress reports have started for another growing season. Mark Oppold looks through some of the early numbers. 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 of Herbicides or Beneficials through SharpShooter™June 16, 2026

Appalachian

American Agriculture History Minute: Early Settlers Settle Appalachian Mountains

I’m Mark Oppold with an American Agriculture History Minute. Once early settlers navigated the rough Appalachian Mountains, they found vast stretches of undeveloped land in what is now central and western Tennessee. The early settlers often received land grants for military service. Standard grants came in the form of 640-acre blocks. Even today, a gift of 640 acres seems generous, …

ncba

NCBA Targets Trade Imbalances as Part of Tariff Strategy

With the release of the Tariff figures by President Trump last week, some organizations are looking at trade imbalances as an opportunity for change in the administration’s discussions with international trading partners. Ethan Lane, Senior Vice President of Government Affairs with NCBA highlighted their approach in these tariff discussions. Sponsored ContentCIR Agriculture Harvester ProductsJuly 1, 2026FL Cattle Enhancement Board Wraps …