In South Michigan, an Agricultural Research Service (ARS) scientist and her collaborators have used historical bee collections and advanced technology to uncover key ecological trends in pollinators. The findings could help shape new conservation efforts aimed at protecting bee diversity, which is vital for environmental stability and agricultural productivity. Kelsey Graham, a scientist with the ARS Pollinating Insect Research Unit, …
I’m Mark Oppold with an American Agriculture History Minute. Agriculture in what is now Colorado began taking shape in the early 1850s. Then Rocky Mountain News founder William N. Byers passed out seeds to make his newspaper the principal chronicle of early farming in Colorado. By the 1870s, Byers facilitated the colony of Greeley, Colorado’s first major agricultural settlement and …
The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) has released its Interim Report: Competition and Fair Practices in Meat Merchandising. The report aims to assess how retail concentration and business practices affect competition in the food sector, with a focus on the meat industry—especially beef. This report follows President Biden’s 2021 Executive Order No. 14036, which directed federal agencies to promote fair …
The National Cattlemen’s Beef Association (NCBA) released a report analyzing data collected in a nationwide tax survey of America’s cattle producers. With the 2017 Tax Cuts and Jobs Act set to expire at the end of 2025, NCBA collected this survey data to better understand how key tax provisions, such as Death Tax relief and business deductions, impact family-owned cattle …
~ Preliminary Agricultural Damage Assessment Estimates Losses at $1.5 – $2.5 Billion ~ (FDACS/TALLAHASSEE, FL/October 17, 2024) — Florida Commissioner of Agriculture Wilton Simpson sent a letter to the United States Secretary of Agriculture formally requesting a U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) Disaster Declaration for Florida counties impacted by Hurricane Milton. Hurricane Milton caused catastrophic damage to Florida’s agricultural producers, compounding losses and …
If you are involved in agriculture, then you’re very aware of the economic struggles many are facing. If you are not involved in agriculture, you probably are not aware of those struggles. There are real concerns across the countryside right now when it comes to production agriculture in our country, and because of this, many are looking to Congress to …
It was announced this week that Protect The Harvest is suspending their operations. Mark Oppold has more details as to why this is happening. Sponsored ContentFlorida Cattle Enhancement Board Provided Opportunity To Highlight Difficult Farming SubjectMarch 20, 2026Valley Helps Growers Get The Most Out Of Every AcreMarch 19, 2026Florida Cattle Enhancement Board Builds Relationships Between Researchers and Cattle ProducersMarch 13, 2026Florida Cattle …
McDonald’s has filed a lawsuit against Tyson Foods, JBS, and other major meat packing companies. The fast food chain is accusing the packers of colluding for years to limit beef supplies. The suit says that the collusion allowed the companies to boost their profits while forcing McDonald’s to pay inflated prices for their meat supplies. McDonald’s says the companies conspired …
The National Cattlemen’s Foundation is now accepting applications for the 2025 CME Group Beef Industry Scholarship. Rusty Halvorson has more details. This scholarship is designed for students pursuing careers in the beef industry. Ten students will each receive a $1,500 scholarship to help support their education. The CME Group Beef Industry Scholarship, first introduced in 1989, aims to encourage talented …
From hurricanes, floods or drought, the USDA Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS) provides disaster recovery assistance to farmers, ranchers, landowners and communities through a variety of USDA programs. One way help can be provided is through the Environmental Quality Incentives Program (EQIP). It can help producers plan and implement conservation practices on land impacted by natural disasters. Eligible land includes cropland, rangeland, and non-industrial …
