USDA Shutdown Plan Reveals Over 42,000 Employees Furloughed As part of federal requirements, the White House Office of Management and Budget mandates that the USDA maintain a contingency plan for operations in the event of a government shutdown. That plan has now gone into effect following the shutdown that began Wednesday at 12 a.m., impacting thousands of agency employees and …
Husker Harvest Days in Grand Island Each September, Grand Island, Nebraska, becomes the center of attention in the farming world as it hosts Husker Harvest Days. Known as one of the largest farm shows in the United States, the event draws farmers, ranchers, agribusinesses, and agricultural innovators from across the country. But the city’s role in agriculture extends far beyond …
By Clint Thompson The Sunbelt Ag Expo, scheduled for Oct. 14-16 in Moultrie, Georgia, will feature Georgia as the Spotlight State, crown a new Farmer of the Year and showcase technological advancements through its field demonstrations. Chip Blalock, Sunbelt Ag Expo executive director, talked about this year’s event. “We are looking forward to the 47th annual North America’s premier farm …
Georgia Secures $531 Million in Block Grant Funding After Hurricane Helene Following months of advocacy and negotiation, Georgia Commissioner of Agriculture Tyler Harper announced a major milestone in recovery efforts for farmers and timberland owners impacted by Hurricane Helene. The Block Grant Funding Agreement, reached in collaboration with USDA and Secretary Rollins, will deliver more than $531 million in disaster …
Peanut Harvest Progresses in Georgia and Alabama Despite Dry Conditions Peanut farmers across the Southeast are working hard to get their crops in, but a lack of widespread rain continues to challenge progress. According to peanut specialists, rainfall has been too limited to meet crop needs in some regions. “Well, the peanut farmers are trying to get their crop in, …
USDA Reports 18% of U.S. Corn Harvested by September 28 With harvests well underway across the Corn Belt, USDA meteorologist Brad Rippey provided an update on the pace of this year’s U.S. corn harvest as of September 28th, 2025. The national harvest is slightly behind schedule, with regional disparities based on weather and crop maturity. “The corn harvest number for …
USDA Responds to New World Screwworm (NWS) Detection Near U.S.-Mexico Border Following the recent detection of New World Screwworm just 70 miles from the U.S.-Mexico border, the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) is ramping up efforts to prevent the pest’s entry into the United States. Lauren Stump, USDA’s Deputy Undersecretary for Marketing and Regulatory Programs, provided a detailed update on …
September 2025 Commodity Recap: Precious Metals Surge, Ag Markets Struggle Looking back at the month of September, the commodity market showed mixed results—especially for agricultural commodities, which largely struggled. Of the 48 commodities tracked daily, only minor progress was made in corn, while precious metals clearly dominated. “Looking back at the month of September, our list of 48 commodities that …
The First Crops in Plymouth Colony When the first settlers arrived in Plymouth, they planted barley and peas brought from England. But their most important crop soon became Indian corn, or maize. Corn was not only more adaptable to New England’s soil and climate but also provided a dependable food source critical for survival. Native Farming Techniques and Fertilization The …
USDA Reports 2025 U.S. Cotton Harvest Progress as of September 28 Harvest for the U.S. cotton crop has officially begun, and USDA meteorologist Brad Rippey shared a progress update as of September 28. According to the report, cotton harvest has reached 16% complete, which is equal to the five-year average, though three points behind last year at this time. “Cotton …
