Farmer sentiment dropped during March as concerns over agricultural trade and farm policy weighed on producers’ outlook for the future. The Purdue University/CME Group Ag Economy Barometer fell 12 points to 140, down from 152 in February. The Index saw a 15-point drop in the Index of Future Expectations to 144, and the Current Conditions Index fell five points to …
American Agriculture History Minute: Ste. Geneviève, Missouri Develops with Farming
I’m Mark Oppold with an American Agriculture History Minute. French settlers arrived at what is now St. Louis in the early 1700s. They remained on the east bank of the Mississippi until about 1750 when a new settlement, Ste. Geneviève, Missouri, across the river was constructed. Though in present day Missouri, the settlement at the time was still thought to …
Applications Being Accepted for Peanut Food Allergy Research Grants
The National Peanut Board (NPB) wants to pass along a reminder that it is currently accepting inquiries for its second annual request for proposals for food allergy research grants. Tyron Spearman has more details. The call for applications is open through May 9, 2025. Click here to learn more. Sponsored ContentFlorida Cattle Enhancement Board Offers Targeted Research for Florida Cattle IndustryFebruary 20, 2026Florida Cattle …
Pivotal Week of the Year
With a big report coming out this week and other market factors being felt it could very easily be considered one of the most pivotal weeks of the year. Mark Oppold has more details. 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 …
Deere Responds to Right-to-Repair Lawsuit
Deere and Co. recently filed an answer to the Federal Trade Commission’s lawsuit alleging the tractor manufacturer holds a monopoly over its repair services. The FTC says that hold unfairly drives up costs and restricts farmers from fixing their equipment in a timely manner. Attorneys defended John Deere in federal court by repeatedly denying allegations that its “business practices are …
American Agriculture History Minute: Stubborn as a Missouri Mule
I’m Mark Oppold with an American Agriculture History Minute. Missouri was nationally known for the quality and quantity of its mules. The state produced a superior breed of mules. Some were used on the western trails. Larger number were used on southern plantations. The industry provided a full-time livelihood for a few traders and feeders, but it supplemented the income …
Alabama Counties as Primary Natural Disaster Areas
(ADAI/MONTGOMERY, AL/April 1, 2025) — Alabama Commissioner of Agriculture and Industries Rick Pate announced that USDA Secretary Brooke Rollins has designated 20 Alabama counties as primary natural disaster areas due to a recent drought. Eighteen additional counties were listed as contiguous disaster counties. “The drought affected over half of the counties in Alabama,” said Commissioner Pate. “We encourage farmers to …
More Acreage Numbers from New USDA Report
We told you yesterday that USDA had released their 2025 Planting Intentions Report. Tyron Spearman has more on the new peanut acreage numbers, along with a look at the projections for other row crops. 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 …
How Agricultural Commodities Fared in First Quarter of 2025
With March over, we just completed the first quarter of trading in 2025. So today, Mark Oppold takes time to review how certain agricultural commodities have performed thus far this year. 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 …
Ag Economists say the U.S. is Already in a Trade War
Most respondents in Farm Journal’s March Ag Economists’ Monthly Monitor agree the U.S. is already in a trade war. U.S. agriculture hit a record trade deficit last year as imports soared, and President Donald Trump wants to reverse the trend. Over 90 percent of the economists surveyed think the president’s strategy of using tariffs as a negotiating tool will not …










