A Struggling Start for Southern Agriculture In the early days of American farming, pioneers in New England and along the East Coast found relative success due to favorable soil and climate conditions. However, the South told a different story. Poor soil quality and inconsistent weather patterns made farming especially difficult. Many early Southern farmers eventually gave up, relocating their families …
Annual APRES Meeting Highlights Innovation and Education This week, the American Peanut Research and Education Society (APRES) is holding its annual meeting in Louisville, Kentucky, bringing together leading researchers, educators, and industry professionals committed to the advancement of the peanut industry. Founded in 1957, APRES—originally known as the Peanut Improvement Working Group—was established to improve the understanding and development of …
U.S. Trade Relations at Risk as August 1 Deadline Looms Over the weekend, former President Donald Trump issued a sharp warning to two of the United States’ largest trading partners, threatening to impose a 30% tariff on imported goods from Mexico and the European Union starting August 1, 2025. The announcement has sparked international concern and raised tensions as ongoing …
USDA Raises July Cotton Forecast for U.S. and China The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) has adjusted its cotton production outlook upward in the July report, citing both domestic improvements and favorable conditions abroad. The update was shared by Mark Jekanowski, Chair of the USDA’s World Agricultural Outlook Board, in a report via Southeast AgNet. U.S. Cotton Output Grows by …
Seasonal Pressure Builds Across Corn, Soybeans, and Wheat As mid-July arrives, grain markets are entering a critical period that may shape prices well into harvest. While “Beware the Ides of July” may not carry the literary weight of March’s warning, this time of year is no less consequential for agricultural markets—especially for corn, soybeans, and wheat. Corn Dips to New …
In today’s American Agriculture History Minute, Mark Oppold highlights a foundational chapter in U.S. farming history: the settlement of the Northwest Territory—a move that paved the way for westward agricultural expansion. While today we associate the Northwest with states like Oregon or Washington, in 1788, the Northwest Territory referred to Ohio, Indiana, Illinois, Michigan, Wisconsin, and the northeastern portion of …
Florida Beef Council Participates in National Beef Industry Planning Each summer, the cattle industry gathers for the National Cattlemen’s Beef Association (NCBA) Summer Business Meeting. This year’s event, held in San Diego, brought together leaders from across the country, including representatives from the Florida Beef Council, to help shape the direction of the beef checkoff program for the upcoming fiscal …
At the recent National Cattlemen’s Beef Association (NCBA) summer business meeting in San Diego, industry leaders from across the country gathered to discuss the state of the U.S. beef sector. A key highlight of the event was the unveiling of the updated five-year Long-Range Plan for the beef industry. Georgia Beef Board (GBB) Chairman Robert Fountain shared the strategic priorities …
Michael Smith Shares His Vision for Young Cattle Producers Earlier this year, Michael Smith joined the Alabama Cattlemen’s Association as a new staff member. Now several months into the role, Smith is reflecting on his experiences and outlining ambitious goals for the Young Cattlemen’s Leadership Program (YCLP). A Focus on Statewide Networking for Young Producers Smith emphasized that his top …
Peanut Crop Pegging Progress and Regional Outlooks U.S. Pegging Rate at 55% in Mid-July The National Agricultural Statistics Service (NASS) reports that the U.S. peanut crop is currently 55% pegging. That’s just below last year’s 56% but above the five-year average of 53%. Crop condition ratings show strong performance so far: Overall, the peanut crop is developing well with adequate …
