off-farm

Off-Farm Income Keeping Some Operations Afloat

Dan American Farm Bureau Federation (AFBF), Economy

For most U.S. farm households, income from off-farm jobs like teaching, driving a bus, or managing a bank branch helps keep an operation running.  In 2023, an American Farm Bureau Federation (AFBF) Market Intel Report says 23 percent of farm household income for farm families comes from farming itself, which means 77 percent of the income comes from other sources. In 2023, …

Planting delays

Planting Delays Continue Due to Weather Conditions

Dan Commodities, Corn, Economy, Field Crops, Soybeans

Planting delays continue in certain areas of the country due to weather conditions. Mark Oppold explains what that means for the crop and how the markets are reacting to it. Sponsored ContentFlorida Cattle Enhancement Board Offers Targeted Research for Florida Cattle IndustryFebruary 20, 2026Florida Cattle Enhancement Board Allows Viable Research in the Cattle IndustryFebruary 6, 2026Florida Cattle Enhancement Board Track Record …

mail order tractor parts business

American Agriculture History Minute: First Mail Order Tractor Parts Business Begins

Dan American Agriculture History Minute, This Land of Ours

I’m Mark Oppold with an American Agriculture History Minute. In 1938, Charles E. Schmidt began a mail order tractor parts business. The company got its start in Minot, North Dakota in 1938 as a mail order supplier of tractor parts, the first retail store founded in 1939. We know it today as Tractor Supply Company.  And, in January of 1959, …

weekly livestock market

Livestock Market Reports for Week Ended 05-02-2025

Dan Alabama, Beef, Cattle, Florida, Georgia

Here are the weekly livestock market reports for Alabama, Florida, and Georgia for the week ended May 2, 2025, compiled by the Livestock Market News Service for all three states. AL Livestock Market Report: At Alabama Livestock Auctions, for the week ended- May 2, 2025, receipts at 16 markets totaled 10,746 head compared to 8,278 last week and 9,421 last …

Hurricane

Hurricane and Tropical Storm Insurance Webinar

Dan Agri-Business, Events, Hurricane, Weather

Hurricane Insurance Protection-Wind Index (HIP-WI) and the Tropical Storm Option are crop insurance tools used to help deliver prompt assistance to producers in hurricane-prone areas. These coverage options add to a farmer’s underlying policy with no additional paperwork or loss adjustment needed. HIP-WI and the TSO options generally pay within weeks following a hurricane or tropical storm.  Producers can attend …

Peanut Achievement Club

Concerns about Peanut Exports

Dan Export/Import, Exports/Imports, Peanuts, Tariff

Exports are important to the industry. But as Tyron Spearman reports, there are concerns about those exports with the tariff talks. Sponsored ContentFlorida Cattle Enhancement Board Offers Targeted Research for Florida Cattle IndustryFebruary 20, 2026Florida Cattle Enhancement Board Allows Viable Research in the Cattle IndustryFebruary 6, 2026Florida Cattle Enhancement Board Track Record Well Received By LegislatorsJanuary 30, 2026Florida Cattle Enhancement …

Kentucky Derby

Kentucky Derby Shines a Light on the Equine Industry

Dan Agri-Business, Equine, Events, Livestock

The annual Kentucky Derby will take place this Saturday. As Mark Oppold reports, this event helps shine a light on the equine industry in our country and its importance to agriculture. Sponsored ContentFlorida Cattle Enhancement Board Offers Targeted Research for Florida Cattle IndustryFebruary 20, 2026Florida Cattle Enhancement Board Allows Viable Research in the Cattle IndustryFebruary 6, 2026Florida Cattle Enhancement Board Track …

Early agriculture

American Agriculture History Minute: Early Agriculture in Kansas Often Unsuccessful

Dan American Agriculture History Minute, This Land of Ours

I’m Mark Oppold with an American Agriculture History Minute. Early agriculture in the state of Kansas was not always successful. Settlers began increasing in numbers when Kansas was opened to settlement in 1854. Many settlers brought seeds from the east or from their homeland. They planted mostly corn, but experimented with crops like oats, cotton, even tobacco. Most did not …

Liz Hershfield

Liz Hershfield Named Cotton Council International Executive Director

Dan Cotton

(Washington, D.C./May 1, 2025) — Fashion industry veteran and sustainability expert Liz Hershfield will lead Cotton Council International (CCI), the export promotion arm of the National Cotton Council of America (NCC), as its new Executive Director. Hershfield succeeds Bruce Atherley, who retired at the end of March. “Strong leadership and innovative strategies are essential to maintaining U.S. cotton’s competitive edge,” …

peanut growers

Approval Granted for Product Used by Peanut Growers

Dan Peanuts

Approval has been received for use of a product by peanut growers. But as Tyron Spearman reports, it is only for a short time. Sponsored ContentFlorida Cattle Enhancement Board Offers Targeted Research for Florida Cattle IndustryFebruary 20, 2026Florida Cattle Enhancement Board Allows Viable Research in the Cattle IndustryFebruary 6, 2026Florida Cattle Enhancement Board Track Record Well Received By LegislatorsJanuary 30, …