American Agriculture

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, …

florida

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

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 Provides Critical Funding To Enhance Brahman GeneticsApril 24, 2026Strong Relationship Exists Between the Florida Cattle Enhancement Board and UF-IFASApril 17, 2026Florida Cattle Enhancement Board Provides Funding For Quicker Response to Research QuestionsApril 10, 2026Florida Cattle Enhancement Board Provides Opportunities …

USMEF

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

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 Provides Critical Funding To Enhance Brahman GeneticsApril 24, 2026Strong Relationship Exists Between the Florida Cattle Enhancement Board …

American Agriculture History

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 …

eqip

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 …

peanut crop

National Peanut Board Awards Grants

The National Peanut Board (NPB) has awarded grants to advance food allergy research. Tyron Spearman has more details. For more of the history of NPB’s support of food allergy solutions, check out “Finding a Solution to Peanut Allergies: A 20-Year Journey of Courage, Innovation and Luck”. Sponsored ContentFlorida Cattle Enhancement Board Provides Critical Funding To Enhance Brahman GeneticsApril 24, 2026Strong Relationship Exists …

sales

Sales of Agricultural Tractors and Combines Fall in October

Sales of agricultural tractors decreased last month compared to the year before. New numbers from the Association of Equipment Manufacturers (AEM) indicate a 14.2% drop in tractor sales, while combine sales also fell, dropping 34.6% compared to 2023.  “October’s sales of ag tractors and combines follow a September that also showed a slowdown in sales,” said AEM Senior Vice President Curt Blades. “These …

action

Possible Secretary of Agriculture Candidates

With a new administration taking over on January 20th, some wonder who the new Agriculture Secretary will be. Mark Oppold looks at some of the top candidates being mentioned.  Sponsored ContentFlorida Cattle Enhancement Board Provides Critical Funding To Enhance Brahman GeneticsApril 24, 2026Strong Relationship Exists Between the Florida Cattle Enhancement Board and UF-IFASApril 17, 2026Florida Cattle Enhancement Board Provides Funding …