The U.S. Senate has passed the Federal Disaster Tax Relief Act (H.R. 5863). The legislation, in addition to providing much needed relief to victims of hurricanes, also provides tax relief for cattle producers who received payments due to wildfires. Previously, these payments counted as taxable income, meaning producers who already suffered from disasters were hurt again by having their relief …
New Federal Order Announced by USDA
Begins National Milk Testing Strategy to Address H5N1 in Dairy Herds New Federal Order Will Require National Milk Testing and Support State Officials and Dairy Regulators; Builds on Actions to Protect Farms, Farmworkers and Communities from H5N1 Avian Influenza (USDA-APHIS/WASHINGTON/Dec. 6, 2024) – The U.S. Department of Agriculture’s (USDA) Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service (APHIS) is announcing the start of …
Highlands County Ranch Preserved through Florida’s Rural and Family Lands Protection Program
The Florida Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services (FDACS) has announced the preservation of more Florida farmland through their Rural and Family Lands Protection Program (RFLPP). The Bar Rocking C Ranch, a 1,070-acre cattle operation in Highlands County, is being preserved through a rural lands protection easement for $4,300,000. Bar Rocking C Ranch is a cattle ranch in western Highlands County, approximately 8.3 miles …
Tough Year for Peanut Prices
The peanut market was hampered by various weather conditions this year. Tyron Spearman looks back at how the season progressed and where some contracts being offered currently stand. 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 …
Corporate Transparency Act Halted by Texas Court
This week, a Texas court halted the implementation of the Corporate Transparency Act’s (CTA) beneficial ownership reporting requirements that included America’s farmers, ranchers, and agribusinesses. Mark Oppold has more details. According to the National Association of Farm Broadcasters, the preliminary relief will remain in effect until the conclusion of legal proceedings, at which point the court may enter a permanent injunction. In …
Research Efforts with Genetics and a Beef-Dairy Cow Hybrid
New technologies are being discussed when it comes to sustainability in the beef and dairy industry. According to a story from Rusty Halvorson, efforts continue to look at how crossing desirable traits in both dairy and beef cattle can produce animals that provide value-added for producers. Sponsored ContentFlorida Cattle Enhancement Board Offers Targeted Research for Florida Cattle IndustryFebruary 20, 2026Florida …
Tyson, Cargill Announce Layoffs
A company letter released this week by the state of Minnesota says Cargill will permanently terminate almost 500 employees in the state, which is home to the company’s corporate headquarters. The terminations will begin on February 5. Cargill recently announced it would cut approximately five percent of its overall staff after revenue took a hit in its most recent fiscal …
American Agriculture History Minute: Learning the Laws of Supply and Demand
I’m Mark Oppold with an American Agriculture History Minute. Farmers and ranchers in early American agriculture quickly learned about the laws of supply and demand. The cotton gin made it possible to increase cotton production in the South, for example, and cotton became a major export crop. But eventually, the increased supply would put severe downward pressure on cotton prices. …
Federal Court Blocks Corporate Transparency Act, Offering Relief to Farmers and Ranchers
Farmers and ranchers have received a temporary reprieve from federal reporting requirements under the Corporate Transparency Act (CTA), thanks to a nationwide injunction issued by the U.S. District Court for the Eastern District of Texas. The ruling delays enforcement of the Beneficial Ownership Information (BOI) filing requirements, which were set to take effect on January 1, 2025. The CTA mandates …
USDA Provides Additional Flexibilities to Respond to 2024 Hurricanes
Expedites Emergency Conservation and Disaster Recovery Payments for Producers in Nine States Impacted by Hurricanes in 2016 to 2023 (USDA-FSA/WASHINGTON/Dec. 5, 2024) – The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) announced it is taking steps to streamline and provide flexibilities for environmental compliance requirements for 2024 hurricanes Debby, Helene and Milton allowing the Farm Service Agency (FSA) to expedite approval of payments …










