The USDA’s cotton projections for 2024-2025 forecast global cotton production at 120.9 million bales, down slightly month-over-month but a seven percent increase from 2023-2024. It’s also the highest total since 2017-2018. The major cotton-producing countries are projected to be mixed in 2024-2025, as declines in India and Pakistan are offset by larger year-over-year increases in China, Brazil, the United States, …
I’m Mark Oppold with an American Agriculture History Minute. Early settlers discovered that the Great Plains were not all that great. They found very harsh climate with tornadoes, blizzards, drought, hailstorms, floods and grasshoppers. It made for high risks and ruined many crops and many settlers that became financially ruined and either protested through the populist movement or went back …
The National Peanut Board is working to start a new club at various colleges around the country to get students using more peanuts. Tyron Spearman has more details. Sponsored ContentCIR Agriculture Harvester ProductsJuly 1, 2026FL Cattle Enhancement Board Wraps up Funding YearJune 30, 2026Florida Cattle Enhancement Board Awarded Researcher Discusses New World Screwworm OverviewJune 19, 2026Verdant Robotics Offers Growers Targeted Application of Herbicides or …
Some new highs have been seen when it comes to cattle futures. Mark Oppold has been watching what has transpired over the past week. Sponsored ContentCIR Agriculture Harvester ProductsJuly 1, 2026FL Cattle Enhancement Board Wraps up Funding YearJune 30, 2026Florida Cattle Enhancement Board Awarded Researcher Discusses New World Screwworm OverviewJune 19, 2026Verdant Robotics Offers Growers Targeted Application of Herbicides or …
Farm bankruptcies grew 55 percent from 2023 to 2024 and are trending even higher in 2025. Farmers are continuing to struggle with low prices for their agricultural commodities and the high costs of inputs needed to grow those crops. Bloomberg says unpredictable tariffs, immigration overhauls, federal programs being cut, and frozen USDA funding are now part of the challenges farmers …
I’m Mark Oppold with an American Agriculture History Minute. The federal government issued 160-acre tracts to about 400,000 families who settled a new land under the Homestead Act 1862. Even larger numbers purchased lands at very low cost as new railroads tried to create new markets. The railroads advertised heavily in Europe and brought over hundreds of thousands of farmers …
We told you yesterday that the U.S. Department of Agriculture recently issued a statement concerning proposed changes to the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP). Today, Tyron Spearman has even more details about the possible changes coming to SNAP. USDA Reiterates Importance of Those Who Can Work, Should Work While Receiving SNAP (Washington, D.C., April 17, 2025)—Today, the U.S. Department of Agriculture issued a memorandum to all …
Due to the lower dollar, grain exports are seeing two-year highs. Mark Oppold has a look at how that and other factors might affect the grain trade. Sponsored ContentCIR Agriculture Harvester ProductsJuly 1, 2026FL Cattle Enhancement Board Wraps up Funding YearJune 30, 2026Florida Cattle Enhancement Board Awarded Researcher Discusses New World Screwworm OverviewJune 19, 2026Verdant Robotics Offers Growers Targeted Application …
The value of U.S. industrial hemp production reached $445 million in 2024, representing a 40% increase over the prior year. That’s according to the National Hemp Report that came out last week. Total planted area for hemp jumped to almost 45,300 acres, 64% higher than in 2023, with harvested area also rising to just under 32,700 acres. Floral hemp has …
I’m Mark Oppold with an American Agriculture History Minute. The western Great Plains became open range country hosting cattle ranching. In the spring and fall ranchers held roundups where the cowboys would brand new calves, treat them and sort them for sale. Ranching began early in Texas gradually moving northward. Cowboys drove cattle north to the railroad lines, cities like …
