Popcorn is more than just a favorite movie snack — it is a crop deeply rooted in agricultural history, innovation, and American resilience. From its ancient beginnings in Central America to becoming an affordable staple during the Great Depression, popcorn has played an important role in both farming and food culture across generations. According to agricultural historian Mark Oppold, popcorn’s …
U.S. Secretary of Agriculture Brooke Rollins announced the Great American Cotton Plan aimed to further strengthen the cotton farm economy and restore domestic textile manufacturing. Secretary Rollins said, “Since 1607, cotton has helped build and sustain rural America. Our farmers grow some of the highest quality cotton in the world, but over the last several years, America’s cotton growers have …
Well, rain showers slow down action in the peanut field, but farmers are moving right along. Georgia has reported 61 percent of their crop is planted. That compares to 41 last week, 71 percent last year. Alabama is up to 57 percent planted, 37 last week, and 52 percent of their crop was last year. Florida, they say, has 71 …
Last week the USDA opened a new Livestock Insect Research Lab in Kerrville, Texas, and the U.S. Department of Agriculture is highlighting their long history of research in animal insects at their facilities in Texas. Kim Lohmeier, Director of the Knippling Bushland U.S. Livestock Insect Research Lab, shares details on this effort “ARS has a really long history of working …
The Oregon Trail’s Lasting Impact on American Farming The Oregon Trail remains one of the most important migration routes in American history and played a major role in the expansion of U.S. agriculture during the 19th century. Stretching approximately 2,170 miles from the Missouri River Valley to the Willamette Valley in Oregon, the trail became a pathway for hundreds of …
Here are the weekly livestock market reports for Alabama, Florida, and Georgia, for the week ended May 29, 2026, compiled by the Livestock Market News Service for all three states. AL Livestock Market Report: At Alabama Livestock Auctions, for the week ended May 29, 2026, receipts at 16 markets totaled 6,924 head compared to 7,905 last week and 8,173 last …
U.S. Secretary of Agriculture Brooke Rollins announced The Great American Cotton Plan this week. It is an initiative from the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) to promote the cotton industry. The Georgia Cotton Commission (GCC) applauds the announcement and is appreciative of the support shown to cotton producers across the country. “Cotton producers across the state are thankful for Secretary …
Trade discussions between the U.S. and China may have significant impacts to agriculture. Agricultural markets across the Southeast are continuing to react to last week’s summit between President Trump and Chinese President Xi Jinping, where trade and agricultural purchases were major topics of discussion. Following the meetings in Beijing, reports indicated China may expand purchases of U.S. agricultural products as …
Cattle producers are proud of the work that has been funded by the Florida Cattle Enhancement Board. We sat down with Ken Griner, past president of the Florida Cattlemen’s Association and past chairman of the Enhancement Board, to learn more. “We are being exceptionally responsible with the money, probably, in my opinion, more responsible than most any state money spent …
USDA’s Ag Statistics Service along with the Foreign Agriculture Service has announced the latest buying of peanuts for the past three months. That is January through March. The peanut industry is worried that they had lost part of their export market because it was down 25 percent for the last year and now, we are looking now at improvements in …
