UF/IFAS

Strong Relationship Exists Between the Florida Cattle Enhancement Board and UF-IFAS

The Florida Cattle Enhancement Board has built strong ties between Florida’s Cattle Industry and the University of Florida. We sat down with Dr. Scott Angle, Senior Vice President For Agriculture And Natural Resources and leader of UF’s Institute of Food and Agricultural Sciences to learn more. Dr. Angle said, “I think it just goes back to relationships because there is …

Office of Seafood

USDA Creates Office of Seafood

U.S. Secretary of Agriculture Brooke Rollins announced the creation of the new USDA Office of Seafood, providing access to USDA programs for American seafood producers, cultivators and processors. Secretary Rollins said, “President Trump is the first President to recognize fisherman for the essential work they do to sustain our food supply. With the launch of the USDA Office of Seafood, …

Farm Bill

Farm Bill 2.0 Solar Debate

Congress has been working in the House Ag Committee on getting the Farm Bill No. 2. It’s a five-year farm bill legislation that would extend many of the major decisions that were made in the big, beautiful bill passed early. One flashpoint came up during this markup, which involved federal support for solar installations on farmland. The bill would limit U.S. Department of Agriculture funding for solar arrays …

beef production

USDA Releases Latest Beef Production and Price Forecasts

The U.S. Department of Agriculture has released their latest Beef Production and Price forecasts. World Agricultural Outlook Board Chairman Mark Jekanowski explains,” Our beef production forecast for this year, we lowered by 20 million pounds. This reflects just the fact that we’re anticipating a little bit lower steer and heifer slaughter, partially offset by higher weights and more cow slaughter. But overall …

cattle futures

Live Cattle and Feeder Cattle Set Record Highs

We’re keeping an eye on live cattle and feeder cattle futures and cash markets here late week. Cattle and feeder cattle futures have set new contract highs this week, both June live cattle and May feeder cattle. Packers still buying cattle. Saturday, last week, feedlots held firm, looking for steady to higher money. Looks like more of the same this week. And the cookout …

popcorn

Popcorn Through the Ages: From Ancient Origins to American Staple

Popcorn’s story stretches back thousands of years, with origins dating over 9,000 years to what is now Central America. Archaeological evidence shows that early civilizations cultivated maize and discovered that certain kernels would expand and “pop” when exposed to heat. This natural phenomenon made popcorn one of the earliest snack foods in human history, enjoyed long before modern agriculture took …

Iran

War in Iran Impacting Farm Inputs and Outputs

It’s getting difficult in the farming area now. The war in Iran is creating some big issues on freight rates and fuel surcharges, not counting the increases in energy and fueling a spike in fertilizer prices and also cotton because of the rise and they said the price is a polyester. The cotton market is booming again. Inflation risks are elevated which could possibly …

National Proving Grounds

USDA Announces New USDA National Proving Grounds Network

The U.S. Department of Agriculture has announced the creation of a National Proving Grounds Network for AgTech to help evaluate ag technology under real-world ranching and farming conditions. The initiative was designed to test and validate tools, existing and emerging, to provide farmers and ranchers with insights when choosing technology for their operations. Under Secretary for Research, Education, and Economics …

Dairy Does More

DMI Launches Dairy Does More Advertising Campaign

Dairy Management Inc. (DMI) has launched a new advertising campaign to share the unique story of dairy. Aris Georgiadis, Senior Vice President for DMI shared the details about the campaign. Georgiadis said, “One of our insights is that most people have blind spots when it comes to the foods they love and enjoy. So, for example, they may think of yogurt …

Strait of Hormuz

Blockade Of The Strait of Hormuz Impacts

On the surface, President Trump’s blockade of the Strait of Hormuz deprives Iran of badly needed oil reserves, millions of dollars in insurance premiums they were collecting to assure safe passage of vessels. But depending on how long the blockade actually lasts, it increases the chance of the Beijing summit already postponed once likely being postponed again. China imports more than 1.5 million barrels …