cotton crop harvest

Weekly Cotton and Peanut Harvest Update

The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) weekly crop report indicates cotton harvest is moving along ahead of average in most states. USDA meteorologist Brad Rippey has an update.  And Rippey notes the dry conditions have slowed the peanut harvest down a bit.  The USDA report notes this is how the cotton and peanut harvests were progressing across the Southeast as of this past Sunday:  …

American Agriculture

New Report on Irrigation and Water Management

A new report shows the updated numbers concerning irrigation and water management. Mark Oppold has more details.  Sponsored ContentFL 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, 2026Florida Cattle Enhancement Board Provides Resources To Researchers …

Farm Loan

Farm Loans Soar as Ag Economy Deteriorates

Farmers are taking out loans at a rate and scale not seen in years as weakened crop prices weigh on the agricultural sector, according to a report from the Federal Reserve Bank of Kansas City.  The volume of new operating loans increased at its fastest pace since 2017, the report said, with commercial banks issuing 40% more of these loans …

regional food systems

USDA Awards $33.5 Million to Boost Local Food Systems Across 43 States

The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) has awarded over $33.5 million to strengthen local food systems and expand the availability of locally grown products across the United States. This funding, provided through the Local Agriculture Market Program (LAMP), supports 113 projects in 43 states and territories through three grant programs: the Farmers Market Promotion Program (FMPP), the Local Food Promotion …

American Agriculture History Minute: George Washington on Both Sides of the Coin

I’m Mark Oppold with an American Agriculture History Minute. George Washington had a complicated relationship with slavery during his lifetime. He controlled a cumulative total of over 577 slaves forced to work on his farms and including his house in Philadelphia. As president, though, he signed laws by Congress that both curtailed slavery but also protected it. But his will …

GCC Meeting Scheduled for Jan. 29, 2025

The Georgia Cotton Commission (GCC) reminds its growers and industry leaders to save the date for next year’s annual meeting. It is scheduled for Wednesday, Jan. 29, 2025, and will be held at the University of Georgia (UGA) Tifton Campus Conference Center in Tifton, Georgia. It is the first of two meetings for the commission in 2025. Its mid-year meeting …

peanut market

Concerns Over Lower Peanut Usage Numbers

Last week, Tyron Spearman ran through some of the new numbers in the latest Peanut Stocks and Processing Report. Today, he looks more at the peanut usage numbers. Sponsored ContentFL 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 …

poultry

Poultry Industry’s Economic Impact Revealed in New Study

According to an updated economic impact study, the U.S. poultry industry continues to play a vital role in the nation’s economy. Rusty Halvorson has more details. The U.S. poultry industry continues to play a vital role in the nation’s economy, according to an updated economic impact study. released by key industry groups, including the U.S. Poultry & Egg Association (USPOULTRY) …

pork organizations

Tracking Agricultural Commodities after 10 Months

In his continuing effort to track agricultural commodities, Mark Oppold looks at where a few of them currently stand after trading for ten months this year.  Sponsored ContentFL 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, …

pork

Pork Herd Contractions Slowing in Most Regions

A new Q4 2024 pork report from Rabobank says improved profitability is slowing herd contractions in most regions. However, producers are taking a cautious approach to expansion. Disease pressure in parts of Europe, South Korea, and Southeast Asia are slowing production growth, as are U.S. slaughter constraints and EU regulatory headwinds.  Questions around consumer sentiment and pork demand are also …