I’m Mark Oppold with an American Agriculture History Minute. Early settlers relied on friends and close neighbors for information on practices that would improve their production. Neighbors of course provided the most immediate information as letters from the east took weeks or longer to reach what is now the Midwest and Plains. Congressional passage of the Morrill Act in 1862 …
Celebrating National Peanut Butter and Jelly Day
National Peanut Butter and Jelly Day was observed on Wednesday. Tyron Spearman has a look at the history of this annual event. Sponsored ContentFlorida Cattle Enhancement Board Awarded Researcher Discusses New World Screwworm OverviewJune 19, 2026Verdant Robotics Offers Growers Targeted Application of Herbicides or Beneficials through SharpShooter™June 16, 2026Florida Cattle Enhancement Board Provides Resources To Researchers For Applied ResearchJune 12, 2026Florida Cattle …
Weather Slowing Spring Field Work
The recent storms have slowed spring field work in many areas of the country. Mark Oppold has the story. Sponsored ContentFlorida Cattle Enhancement Board Awarded Researcher Discusses New World Screwworm OverviewJune 19, 2026Verdant Robotics Offers Growers Targeted Application of Herbicides or Beneficials through SharpShooter™June 16, 2026Florida Cattle Enhancement Board Provides Resources To Researchers For Applied ResearchJune 12, 2026Florida Cattle Enhancement …
Farmer Sentiment Slips on Policy Uncertainty
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 Awarded Researcher Discusses New World Screwworm OverviewJune 19, 2026Verdant Robotics …
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 Awarded Researcher Discusses New World Screwworm OverviewJune 19, 2026Verdant Robotics Offers Growers Targeted Application of Herbicides or Beneficials through SharpShooter™June 16, …
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 …










