By Clint Thompson Count the Georgia Cotton Commission (GCC) as one organization applauding the $12 billion Farmer Bridge Assistance payments announced on Monday by the U.S. Department of Agriculture. The USDA announced that $12 billion will be made available in one time bridge payments to farmers in response to temporary trade market disruptions and increased production costs. The payments are …
A Pioneering Beginning During the Civil War Kansas State University—originally named Kansas State Agricultural College—was formally established on February 16, 1863, in Manhattan, Kansas. As described in Mark Oppold’s American Agriculture History Minute, its founding took place during the American Civil War, a period marked by national upheaval yet also visionary public investment in education. Despite the challenges of wartime, …
Florida Cattlemen’s Association Showcases New One-Day Format at Winter Quarterly Meeting The Florida Cattlemen’s Association (FCA) held its annual Winter Quarterly Meeting last week, bringing cattle producers from across the state to Ocala for a reimagined event structure. The gathering highlighted the association’s strong grassroots foundation, enhanced industry collaboration, and a new streamlined format designed to increase participation and efficiency. …
Southeast Drought Continues to Impact Cattle and Hay Production Despite Recent Rain Although some areas of the Southeast received rain over the weekend, drought conditions continue to challenge producers across much of the region. According to USDA meteorologist Brad Rippey, the latest U.S. Drought Monitor data from early December shows ongoing stress on both cattle and hay production, even as …
Farmers Set to Receive ARC and PLC Payments Under the One Big Beautiful Bill Farmers across the nation are preparing to receive much-needed support through federal farm programs following the passage of what many are calling the One Big Beautiful Bill. These new provisions are designed to provide financial relief to producers through updated payment estimates for both the Agriculture …
Expanding Access to Risk Protection Final Rule Modernizes Crop Insurance for 2026 The U.S. farm community is preparing for important changes after U.S. Secretary of Agriculture Brooke Rollins announced that updates are coming to federal crop insurance processes. The Expanding Access to Risk Protection Final Rule is designed to streamline requirements across multiple crops, improve program efficiency, and respond directly …
The Land-Grant Origins of Ohio State University: How a New College Was Chosen to Lead Ohio’s Future The founding of Ohio State University is a defining chapter in both Ohio’s educational history and the broader story of America’s land-grant movement. Born from the Morrill Act of 1862, the institution began as the Ohio Agricultural and Mechanical College—a school designed to …
Here are the weekly livestock market reports for Alabama, Florida, and Georgia for the week ended December 5, 2025, compiled by the Livestock Market News Service for all three states. AL Livestock Market Report: At Alabama Livestock Auctions, for the week ended December 05, 2025, receipts at 16 markets totaled 11,787 head compared to 298 last week and 16,290 last …
Florida Cattle Enhancement Board Prioritizes Research, Promotion, and Long-Term Industry Strength The Florida Cattle Enhancement Board continues to expand its efforts to support research, innovation, and promotional activities that strengthen the state’s cattle industry. Recently, we spoke with Clint Richardson of AgReserves Incorporated, who serves on the board, to learn more about his experience and the board’s priorities for Florida …
USDA Now Accepting Applications for America First Trade Promotion Program The U.S. Department of Agriculture has officially opened the application period for the America First Trade Promotion Program (AFTPP), a major new initiative designed to strengthen U.S. agricultural exports and global market presence. Funded by Congress earlier this year, the AFTPP provides $285 million in support for agricultural export, marketing, …
