ethanol

New Records for U.S. Ethanol Exports

The U.S. ethanol industry saw new records for exports last year. As Mark Oppold reports, those numbers continue to grow. 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

budget

Florida Leaders Propose Legislation to Strengthen Agriculture and Consumer Protections

Florida Commissioner of Agriculture Wilton Simpson, alongside Senator Keith Truenow and Representative Kaylee Tuck, has introduced legislation aimed at bolstering Florida’s agriculture industry, increasing consumer protections, and enhancing emergency preparedness. The proposed legislation includes measures to protect farmers from discriminatory lending practices based on environmental policies, returning local control over solar farm approvals, and providing tax relief for agricultural businesses. …

Ohio

American Agriculture History Minute: Ohio, Early Agriculture Capital

I’m Mark Oppold with an American Agriculture History Minute. Ohio was considered the early agricultural capital of the U.S. in the early 1800s as western expansion continued. Many settlers, after the hard trek over the Appalachians, fell in love with the plains of Ohio and industries continued to grow. By 1810, Dayton had a tobacco processing plant. Cincinnati was known …

summer business meeting

CattleFax Forecasts Continued Strong Demand and High Price Outlook for Cattle Producers

(NCBA/SAN ANTONIO, Texas/Feb. 6, 2025) — The popular CattleFax Outlook Seminar, held as part of CattleCon 2025 in San Antonio, Texas, shared expert market and weather analysis today. The U.S. beef industry is poised for another year of strong market performance, driven by tight cattle supplies and robust consumer demand. As the beef cowherd enters a stabilization phase following years …

peanut

Government Peanut Purchases

There have been some recent purchases of peanuts by the U.S. Government. Tyron Spearman reports purchases are up twenty percent over the past few months. 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 …

smithfield

Smithfield CEO Confident in Growth, Downplays Industry Challenges

Smithfield Foods CEO Shane Smith expressed optimism about the company’s future as it returned to the public stock market more than a decade after being acquired by China’s WH Group. Smith emphasized the company’s growth outlook while downplaying concerns about potential labor shortages due to mass deportations and the continued impact of bird flu on the meat industry. Smith said …

Florida Cattle Enhancement Board

Risk Protection Important for Livestock Producers

The Livestock Risk Protection (LRP) program has seen increases in participation over the years. Rusty Halvorson has a story explaining why the USDA Risk Management Agency program is an important one for livestock producers. 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 …

Seth Meyers

Rollins Could Face Staffing Challenges

Once she becomes Agriculture Secretary, Brooke Rollins could start off facing some staffing challenges. Mark Oppold has more details. 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

Rural Mainstreet

Rural Mainstreet Economy Contracts Again

The January 2025 Rural Mainstreet Index fell below growth neutral for the 16th time in the past 17 months. For the eighth time in the past nine months, farmland prices took a tumble. On average, bank CEOs who responded to the monthly survey expect annual cash rents of $278 per acre of non-irrigated, non-pasture farmland. Farm equipment sales also dropped, …

egg prices

Bird Flu Drives Egg Prices Up, No Relief in Sight

The cost of eggs in the United States has surged in recent months, largely due to the ongoing bird flu outbreak that has led to the culling of millions of chickens. Prices have more than doubled since the summer of 2023, and with the Easter season approaching, demand is expected to drive costs even higher. According to the U.S. Department …