USDA Awards $8.3 Million to Boost International Market Access for U.S. Specialty Crops The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) has announced $8.3 million in funding to assist 11 recipients in expanding global market access for U.S. specialty crops. The funding is part of the Technical Assistance for Specialty Crops (TASC) Program, managed by USDA’s Foreign Agricultural Service (FAS). TASC helps …
Florida Cattle Enhancement Board Acts As Catalyst For Timely Research
Research is critical to addressing the needs within the cattle industry, and the Florida Cattle Enhancement Board (FCEB) is playing a pivotal role in driving timely and responsive research. This targeted approach is helping producers across the state remain both economically viable and environmentally responsible, ensuring that Florida beef stays competitive and relevant. We spoke with Dusty Holley of the …
Secretary Rollins Announces Plan to Support Trade
USDA Launches Aggressive 3-Point Trade Plan to Put American Agriculture First The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) is taking bold steps to support American agriculture on the global stage. Last week, Secretary of Agriculture Brooke Rollins and Undersecretary for Trade and Foreign Agricultural Affairs Luke Lindberg unveiled a new three-point trade strategy aimed at expanding market access, enforcing trade commitments, …
A Look At Corn And Soybean Futures
Corn and Soybean Futures Eye Early August Lows as Harvest Pressures Markets As harvest ramps up across key growing regions, December corn and November soybean futures are showing signs of holding their early August lows—but that support may soon be tested. Analysts caution that the market could see renewed pressure as sellers work to push values lower in the coming …
Cotton Crop Condition and Harvest Update
As cotton harvest 2025 continues across the southern U.S., USDA meteorologist Brad Rippey shared a timely update on crop development and field progress as of September 21. “60 percent of the U.S. cotton bowls open, one point ahead of the five-year average, but two points behind last year at this time. Some of the earlier delays that we saw in …
Illinois River History: Gateway to Agriculture and Trade
A Vital Waterway in the Heart of the Midwest The Illinois River has long been an essential part of America’s agricultural history. Stretching 273 miles, the river begins at the confluence of the Des Plaines and Kankakee Rivers in the Chicago metropolitan area. From there, it flows southwest across the state of Illinois, eventually joining the mighty Mississippi River near …
NCBA Reaction to NWS Detection in Nuevo Leon
NCBA Urges Fast Action as New World Screw Worm Nears U.S. Border As the New World Screw Worm inches closer to the U.S. border, the National Cattlemen’s Beef Association (NCBA) is urging immediate and decisive action to protect the American cattle industry. Following the detection just 70 miles from the U.S.-Mexico border, NCBA CEO Collin Woodall shared the association’s position …
What to Do if Needing to Plant Winter Grazing in Drought Conditions
UGA Expert Offers Winter Grazing Advice Amid Georgia Drought Conditions As drought conditions continue across much of Georgia, producers are facing tough decisions about planting winter grazing. We spoke with Dr. Lisa Baxter, Extension Forage Specialist with the University of Georgia, to get her insight on managing planting strategies during this unusually dry fall. “The what-ifs of planting when we …
Checking in On the Peanut Market and Weather
Peanut Market Stalls as Dry Conditions Challenge Harvest Across the Peanut Belt As the 2025 peanut harvest begins to unfold across the peanut belt, producers and buyers alike are keeping a close eye on market conditions—and the news isn’t great. “The market right now is at a standstill. Market sentiment for this crop has hit a price very low as …
Weather Forecast For Drought Condition Affected Deep Southeast
As harvest begins across parts of the Deep Southeast, farmers in Alabama, Florida, and Georgia are now contending with D1 drought status, adding pressure to an already intense season. With high temperatures lingering and limited rainfall, the USDA is monitoring conditions closely. However, there may be relief on the horizon, according to USDA meteorologist Brad Rippey. “Now, for other parts …