The U.S. Department of Labor (DOL) has reopened a portion of its operations despite the ongoing federal government shutdown to process H-2A applications. As many agricultural producers begin preparing for the spring 2026 harvest, this reopening means that the DOL can now resume processing labor certification applications and prevailing wage determinations in the H-2A program. This move is especially significant …
U.S. Dairy Cow Numbers Surge as Milk Prices Begin to Fall According to Southern Ag, the U.S. dairy sector has seen a notable increase in dairy cow numbers since the start of the year. The rise is largely due to profitable milk prices and a decline in feed costs throughout 2024, which encouraged producers to expand their herds. However, the …
U.S.–China Trade Talks and Tariff Reductions Could Boost Pork and Beef Exports As U.S.–China trade discussions continue to evolve, the agricultural industry is watching closely—especially producers of U.S. pork, beef, and soybeans. Ongoing negotiations between the two countries are influencing commodity prices and global market access, with the potential to reshape export opportunities for American farmers and processors. U.S. Meat …
Platinum, Silver, and Gold Lead the 2025 Bottom Line Report Commodity Rankings According to the latest Bottom Line Report, which tracks 48 commodities daily, the strongest performers so far this year are precious metals, with platinum, silver, and gold taking the top three spots. The report monitors a broad range of markets—livestock, grains, energy, precious metals, and soft commodities—to gauge …
Life Beyond the Mississippi As settlers moved west across the Mississippi River in the 19th century, they carried with them not only their hopes for a new beginning but also the foundation of American agriculture. This westward migration marked a period of great expansion, where families carved out farms from untamed land and built livelihoods centered on self-reliance and hard …
The American Soybean Association (ASA) is celebrating a major milestone for U.S. agriculture following the recent announcement of a U.S.-China trade agreement that includes significant soybean purchases. This development marks a positive turn for U.S. soybean farmers who have faced years of uncertainty in global trade markets. In a statement released last week, ASA President and Kentucky soybean farmer Caleb …
The U.S. Peanut Federation (USPF) has taken the opportunity to provide detailed comments ahead of the upcoming review of the U.S.-Mexico-Canada Agreement (USMCA). The organization emphasized the crucial role that peanut exports play in supporting American farmers and the broader agricultural economy. According to the Federation’s report, peanuts are grown in 13 U.S. states, representing a vital segment of American …
With new trade agreements and frameworks emerging across Southeast Asia, the U.S. Meat Export Federation (USMEF) is closely monitoring fresh opportunities for U.S. beef and pork exports. USMEF President and CEO Dan Hallstrom recently shared insights on the potential impact these agreements could have across several key markets in the region. Starting with Malaysia, Hallstrom noted that the U.S. meat …
The Great Migration West By the 1850s, America’s westward expansion had surged into a defining movement. Families from the eastern states packed their wagons and made the long journey toward the fertile promise of the Midwest. The banks of the Mississippi River soon filled with settlers camping along the shoreline, waiting patiently for ferry boats to carry them across into …
Wouldn’t it be nice to have a single provider that you could turn to for all of your agricultural and industrial rubber and plastic product solutions? California Industrial Rubber strives to be that solution! Since 1958, we’ve been meeting the rubber and plastic product needs of the commercial, industrial, and agricultural markets of California, Nevada, and beyond. Our wide array …
