USDA Announces Partial Funding for SNAP Benefits During Federal Government Shutdown As the federal government shutdown continues, the future of SNAP benefits (Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program) has been a major topic of concern nationwide. Earlier this week, the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) announced that it will partially fund SNAP after judicial rulings required the agency to continue the program …
DOL Reopens H2A Application Processing
Department of Labor Reopens H-2A Processing Amid Government Shutdown The U.S. Department of Labor (DOL) has reopened its H-2A application operations even as the federal government shutdown continues. This critical development arrives at an important time for growers across the Southeast, who are preparing for the current harvest season and beginning to secure H-2A agricultural workers for the spring 2026 …
China Retaliatory Tariffs and Crop Reports Delayed
Analysts Question Lack of Clarity on U.S.–China Trade Deal as USDA Delays Crop Report While officials in Washington confirm that a U.S.–China trade deal is in place, analysts from the Bottom Line Report say the situation remains uncertain—largely because Beijing has yet to release any official statements confirming or clarifying the agreement. “Everyone agrees we have a trade deal with …
How Early Farmers Learned to Protect Their Soil
The Dawn of Soil Conservation in Early American Farming In the early years of American settlement, the nation’s farmers often took the vastness of the land for granted. As Mark Oppold explains in this American Agriculture History Minute, early settlers “tended to be careless with the use and care of their soil.” With the seemingly endless frontier before them, many …
Florida Beef Council Shares New Recipes For Fall
Florida Beef Council Highlights Fall Comfort Food with Beef Recipes With the arrival of cooler weather, many Floridians are turning their attention to hearty comfort food recipes that bring warmth and flavor to the table. DM Maples with the Florida Beef Council shared one of her favorite dishes for this time of year and encouraged consumers to explore new ways …
Alabama Cattlemen’s Association Announces Early Registration for 2026 ACA Convention
Early Registration Opens for the 2026 Alabama Cattlemen’s Association Convention in Mobile The Alabama Cattlemen’s Association (ACA) has officially opened early registration for its highly anticipated 2026 Convention and Trade Show, set to take place March 6–7, 2026, in Mobile, Alabama. Erin Beasley, Executive Vice President of the Alabama Cattlemen’s Association, shared her excitement about the event’s return to the …
Georgia Beef Board Works to Educate Consumers
Georgia Beef Board Expands Consumer Education on the Value of Beef The Georgia Beef Board (GBB) continues its mission to educate consumers and youth about the importance of beef and the impact of cattle production across the state. In a recent update, Wyatt Doolittle with the Georgia Beef Board shared insights on the organization’s latest outreach activities and educational initiatives. …
Department of Labor Reopens Operations To Process H-2A Applications
The U.S. Department of Labor (DOL) has reopened a portion of its operations despite the ongoing federal government shutdown to process H-2A applications. As many agricultural producers begin preparing for the spring 2026 harvest, this reopening means that the DOL can now resume processing labor certification applications and prevailing wage determinations in the H-2A program. This move is especially significant …
Dairy Cow Numbers Surging With Dairy Product Prices Falling
U.S. Dairy Cow Numbers Surge as Milk Prices Begin to Fall According to Southern Ag, the U.S. dairy sector has seen a notable increase in dairy cow numbers since the start of the year. The rise is largely due to profitable milk prices and a decline in feed costs throughout 2024, which encouraged producers to expand their herds. However, the …
USMEF CEO Comments on US China Trade Discussions
U.S.–China Trade Talks and Tariff Reductions Could Boost Pork and Beef Exports As U.S.–China trade discussions continue to evolve, the agricultural industry is watching closely—especially producers of U.S. pork, beef, and soybeans. Ongoing negotiations between the two countries are influencing commodity prices and global market access, with the potential to reshape export opportunities for American farmers and processors. U.S. Meat …










