The U.S. Department of Agriculture’s (USDA) weekly crop report shows harvest continues to move along. USDA meteorologist Brad Rippey has a cotton harvest update. And Rippey also has the latest on the peanut crop. The USDA report notes this is how the cotton and peanut harvests were progressing across the Southeast as of this past Sunday: In Alabama, cotton bolls opening is 97 percent, …
Higher Standard Tax Deductions for 2025
One thing to look forward to next year are higher standard tax deductions. Mark Oppold has the numbers, along with a look at the projected net farm income for this year. 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 …
Corn Farmers Facing Worst Year Since 2007
Corn farmers could be in for their worst year in close to two decades, economists say, as the Federal Reserve reports that crop prices remain “unprofitably low” in its latest assessment of economic conditions. Last week’s Federal Reserve Beige Book largely “confirmed things we were already thinking,” Michael Langemeir, a professor of agricultural economics at Purdue University, told Agriculture Dive, …
American Agriculture History Minute: Railroads Changed Agriculture
I’m Mark Oppold with an American Agriculture History Minute. Railroads dramatically changed agriculture and rural America as the country continued to grow. The concept of a rail highway was first conceived by Colonel John Stevens in 1812. The earliest railroads were horse-drawn cars running on tracks. The first chartered railroad was the Granite Railway of Massachusetts, which was approximately three …
2024-25 National FFA Officer Team Elected
The 2024-25 National FFA Officer Team was elected this past weekend during the final session of the 97th National FFA Convention & Expo in Indianapolis. Students from Illinois, Ohio, Kentucky, California, Georgia and Wisconsin were elected by National FFA Delegates to serve as 2024-25 National FFA Officers. These members were selected from 37 candidates vying for the honor. Candidates participated in an …
U.S. Cattle on Feed Down Slightly
The U.S. Department of Agriculture released their October Cattle on Feed Report, and the new numbers indicate cattle and calves on feed for the slaughter market in the U.S. for feedlots with capacity of 1,000 or more head totaled 11.6 million head on October 1, 2024. The inventory was slightly below October 1, 2023. According to a story from Gary Crawford, …
Promoting Peanuts in the Southeast
There have been and continue to be various promotions for peanuts and peanut butter across the Southeast. Tyron Spearman has more details. 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, …
Visiting the Fort Worth Stockyards
Additions were made to the walk of fame at the Fort Worth Stockyards this past weekend. Mark Oppold was there and has this report. 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, …
Study Warns U.S.-China Trade War Could Harm Farmers and Boost Rivals
A new economic study warns that a renewed trade war between the U.S. and China could severely harm American farmers while benefiting Brazil and Argentina. The study, conducted by World Agricultural Economic and Environmental Services, was commissioned by the American Soybean Association (ASA) and the National Corn Growers Association (NCGA). It highlights the risks of imposing new tariffs on Chinese …
American Agriculture History Minute: Cooperative Extension Service Created
I’m Mark Oppold with an American Agriculture History Minute. The United States Congress created the Cooperative Extension Service as part of the Smith-Lever Act in 1914. The act enabled producers and their families to receive help in agricultural production, livestock health, home economics. It also included in that Cooperative Extension Service a charter working with young boys and young girls …










