The Office of the U.S. Trade Representative (USTR) has initiated a Section 301 investigation into Brazil’s unfair trade practices, with a sharp focus on agricultural products—especially beef. Southeast AgNet’s Dale Sandlin sat down with Kent Backus, Executive Director of Government Affairs at the National Cattlemen’s Beef Association (NCBA), to discuss the implications for the U.S. cattle industry and the broader …
At last week’s Peanut Convention in Panama City, Congressman GT Thompson, Chairman of the House Agriculture Committee, addressed attendees with updates on the latest farm bill—referred to as “One Big Beautiful Bill” passed in Washington. Thompson outlined several critical provisions tailored to benefit peanut growers and emphasized the collaborative process that helped shape the legislation. Farmers Helped Shape the Bill …
Fed Likely to Hold Rates Steady, Despite Potential Dissent As the Federal Reserve Board prepares to conclude its latest policy meeting, expectations are high that interest rates will remain unchanged. However, this anticipated outcome is not without controversy within the board itself. According to market indicators such as the CME FedWatch Tool, there is a 96 to 97 percent probability …
U.S. Customs Halts Invasive Pest from Reaching Wisconsin Cherry Orchards On June 19th, U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) agriculture specialists made a critical interception at Detroit Metropolitan Airport, stopping a serious agricultural threat before it could reach U.S. soil. During a secondary inspection, specialists discovered a five-pound bag of fresh cherries infested with live European cherry fruit fly maggots. …
A Revolutionary Incentive: Land Grants in 1776 In the earliest days of the American Republic, before military pensions or cash enlistment bonuses existed, a unique form of compensation helped build the foundation of both national defense and American agriculture. During the Revolutionary War, General George Washington faced the daunting task of recruiting and retaining soldiers to fight against the British. …
Peanut Market Strong Despite Dry Conditions, USDA Predicts Increased Use and Stock Levels The U.S. peanut industry remains in a favorable position according to the latest USDA estimates, with strong demand projections and the largest stockpile in two decades. However, timely rainfall is still needed to ensure crop development remains on track. Peanut Crop Holding Steady, But Rain Needed As …
Secretary Brooke Rollins outlines plans to decentralize USDA operations and bring government closer to the people. USDA Announces Sweeping Department Reorganization In a significant shift aimed at restructuring the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA), Secretary of Agriculture Brooke Rollins announced that the agency will undergo a major reorganization. The changes, announced last week, are designed to streamline USDA operations, …
U.S. Cattle Numbers Hit 50-Year Low, Fueling High Beef Prices According to the July Cattle on Feed report, recently shared by the National Association of Farm Broadcasters, U.S. cattle numbers have dropped to historic lows, offering little relief to consumers struggling with high beef prices. As of July 1, there were 94.2 million cattle and calves in the United States—marking …
Cattle Markets Climb While Grains Struggle in July Trading Live and Feeder Cattle Among Top Gainers as Month Closes As July trading draws to a close, live and feeder cattle are finishing the month strong, according to the latest commodity update from Southeast AgNet’s Bottom Line Report. With only two trading days remaining, both live cattle and feeder cattle are …
Honoring Unsung Contributors to Agricultural Life In the rich history of agricultural innovation, names like Cyrus McCormick (mechanical reaper), John Deere (steel plow), and Eli Whitney (cotton gin) are firmly etched into the collective memory. These inventors transformed the landscape of American farming with their groundbreaking contributions. But another lesser-known innovator also played a role in improving rural life—especially for …
