A Persistent Pest Problem in the Mid-20th Century In the late 1950s and throughout the 1960s, cattle producers across the southern United States faced a major challenge: the Gulf Coast tick. These pests would burrow into the ears of cattle, causing painful open wounds. Unfortunately, the problem didn’t stop there. These wounds attracted additional threats, most notably the screw worm, …
Cotton Sees Slight Decline but Outpaces 2024; Peanuts Hold Steady The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) has released its July crop progress report, offering an updated outlook on the nation’s cotton and peanut crops. USDA meteorologist Brad Rippey shared the latest condition ratings and regional highlights during the weekly update. Cotton Conditions: A Mixed Bag with Regional Challenges As of …
The Office of the U.S. Trade Representative (USTR) has initiated a Section 301 investigation into Brazil’s unfair trade practices, with a sharp focus on agricultural products—especially beef. Southeast AgNet’s Dale Sandlin sat down with Kent Backus, Executive Director of Government Affairs at the National Cattlemen’s Beef Association (NCBA), to discuss the implications for the U.S. cattle industry and the broader …
At last week’s Peanut Convention in Panama City, Congressman GT Thompson, Chairman of the House Agriculture Committee, addressed attendees with updates on the latest farm bill—referred to as “One Big Beautiful Bill” passed in Washington. Thompson outlined several critical provisions tailored to benefit peanut growers and emphasized the collaborative process that helped shape the legislation. Farmers Helped Shape the Bill …
Fed Likely to Hold Rates Steady, Despite Potential Dissent As the Federal Reserve Board prepares to conclude its latest policy meeting, expectations are high that interest rates will remain unchanged. However, this anticipated outcome is not without controversy within the board itself. According to market indicators such as the CME FedWatch Tool, there is a 96 to 97 percent probability …
U.S. Customs Halts Invasive Pest from Reaching Wisconsin Cherry Orchards On June 19th, U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) agriculture specialists made a critical interception at Detroit Metropolitan Airport, stopping a serious agricultural threat before it could reach U.S. soil. During a secondary inspection, specialists discovered a five-pound bag of fresh cherries infested with live European cherry fruit fly maggots. …
A Revolutionary Incentive: Land Grants in 1776 In the earliest days of the American Republic, before military pensions or cash enlistment bonuses existed, a unique form of compensation helped build the foundation of both national defense and American agriculture. During the Revolutionary War, General George Washington faced the daunting task of recruiting and retaining soldiers to fight against the British. …
Peanut Market Strong Despite Dry Conditions, USDA Predicts Increased Use and Stock Levels The U.S. peanut industry remains in a favorable position according to the latest USDA estimates, with strong demand projections and the largest stockpile in two decades. However, timely rainfall is still needed to ensure crop development remains on track. Peanut Crop Holding Steady, But Rain Needed As …
Secretary Brooke Rollins outlines plans to decentralize USDA operations and bring government closer to the people. USDA Announces Sweeping Department Reorganization In a significant shift aimed at restructuring the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA), Secretary of Agriculture Brooke Rollins announced that the agency will undergo a major reorganization. The changes, announced last week, are designed to streamline USDA operations, …
U.S. Cattle Numbers Hit 50-Year Low, Fueling High Beef Prices According to the July Cattle on Feed report, recently shared by the National Association of Farm Broadcasters, U.S. cattle numbers have dropped to historic lows, offering little relief to consumers struggling with high beef prices. As of July 1, there were 94.2 million cattle and calves in the United States—marking …
