sunbelt

Cotton Crop Condition and Harvest Update

Dan Cotton

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

Illinois River History: Gateway to Agriculture and Trade

Dan Agri-Business, American Agriculture History Minute, Export/Import, Exports/Imports, This Land of Ours, 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 …

New World Screwworm

NCBA Reaction to NWS Detection in Nuevo Leon

Dan Cattle, National Cattlemen’s Beef Association (NCBA), Pest/Pest Control

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 …

winter grazing

What to Do if Needing to Plant Winter Grazing in Drought Conditions

Dan Cattle, Georgia, Livestock, Pasture

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 …

peanut market

Checking in On the Peanut Market and Weather

Dan Peanuts

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 …

drought

Weather Forecast For Drought Condition Affected Deep Southeast

Dan Drought, Weather

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 …

hall of fame

Agriculture’s Hall of Fame Welcomes Three New Inductees in October

Dan Agri-Business, Events

Every major sport has its Hall of Fame—and so does American agriculture. Just outside of Kansas City, the National Agricultural Center and Hall of Fame in Bonner Springs, Kansas, honors individuals who have made significant contributions to the advancement of the nation’s food, fiber, and farming industries. “Every major sport has its Hall of Fame. So does agriculture. The National …

Colorado River

Colorado River: Lifeline of the American West

Dan Agri-Business, American Agriculture History Minute, This Land of Ours

A Vital Waterway in American Agriculture The Colorado River, stretching an impressive 1,450 miles, stands as the fifth-longest river in the United States. Its name, Colorado, comes from the Spanish word for “colored reddish,” a reference to the river’s heavy silt load that once gave it a distinctive hue. Originating in the central Rocky Mountains, this river plays a critical …

Farmer’s Day

October 12th Proclaimed as Farmers Day in Alabama

Dan Agri-Business, Alabama, Alabama Department of Agriculture and Industries (ADAI), Economy, Events

Governor Kay Ivey Proclaims October 12 as Farmer’s Day in Alabama Farmers across Alabama are getting long-overdue recognition thanks to a new statewide observance. Last week, Governor Kay Ivey officially proclaimed October 12th as Farmer’s Day in Alabama, joined by Alabama Department of Agriculture and Industries Commissioner Rick Pate. We spoke with Commissioner Pate to learn what inspired this important …

Cattle

Watching the Cattle Market

Dan Cattle, Economy, Marketing

Cattle Futures Remain Strong Amid Tight Supply, Heifer Retention Trends Live cattle and feeder cattle futures continue to hold strong as the market processes last week’s mostly neutral Cattle on Feed report, which, despite its tone, still reflects historically tight numbers in the U.S. cattle supply. “Keeping an eye on live cattle and feeder cattle futures, especially after the neutral, …