The Beginnings of Agriculture in Colorado Agriculture in what is now Colorado began to take shape in the early 1850s, during a time when much of the region was considered inhospitable to farming. Settlers entering the area faced dry conditions, unpredictable weather, and a landscape that earned the nickname “The Great American Desert.” Despite these challenges, early pioneers were determined …
Trump Holds Farmers and Ranchers Event at the White House
Late last week, President Trump hosted farmers and ranchers at the White House to celebrate National Agriculture Day and Week. Joined by US Secretary of Agriculture Brooke Rollins, SBA Administrator Kelly Loeffler and EPA Administrator Lee Zeldin, President Trump Highlighted some of the efforts that the administration has undertaken, as well as plans for other items impacting agriculture. President Trump …
Challenges To The Farm Economy
Severe weather, high expenses, and global uncertainty are hitting farmers on all sides, squeezing them to the break-even point. Forty-four agricultural groups this week got laid out challenges facing rural America in the letter to President Trump. The March 19th letter recognizes progress has been made enhancing the farm risk management tools and securing much-needed tax relief for farmers, but additional resources are …
FSIS Proposes Rulemaking On Establishment Sizes
The U.S. Department of Agriculture’s Food Safety and Inspection Service is considering revising the definitions for establishment sizes for meat and poultry establishments, as well as egg products plants. According to a posting by the Department on X, “Small processors keep rural America running. For nearly 30 years, USDA has used outdated definitions that don’t always reflect how these businesses …
Review of Markets and Trading At The End of Quarter One
Wall Street trying to break a long losing streak, only three more days to trade this week before the Easter holiday. Tomorrow, with the first quarter in the books, we review our list of 48 commodities and how they have fared since New Year’s. But meanwhile, Wall Street has seen lower weekly closes four weeks in a row now. In fact, the S&P 500 …
Early Agricultural Experiments in Kansas: A Government-Led Effort
Expanding West After the Louisiana Purchase In the early 1820s, following the landmark Louisiana Purchase of 1803, the United States government began turning its attention toward agricultural development in the vast western territories. Among these areas was what is now the state of Kansas—a region seen as rich with potential for farming and trade. At the time, the federal government …
Florida Fake Meat Ban Withstands Appeals Court Challenge
The Florida Fake Meat Ban withstood an appeal to the U.S. Court of Appeals for the 11th Circuit by a lawsuit filed by Upside Foods, Inc. The Florida law that banned the manufacture, distribution and sale of all lab grown meat, SB 1084, was challenged by the Calfornia startup and focused on the sale of lab-grown chicken. Florida Commissioner of …
Weather Impacts to Planting Decisions
Well, one report this week might indicate some decisions have to be made about where you plant corn, peanuts, cotton, and where water is available or not. The National Weather Service reports that severe to extreme drought conditions are across the region. Drought conditions remain the worst experience, they said, since 2012. Long-term hydraulic drought impacts persist with also the significant impacts to rivers …
USMEF Working to Bolster In-Home Use of Pork in Mexico
The U.S. Meat Export Federation has been working to increase the consumption of pork in homes in Mexico, especially as exports to Mexico have set records for the past five years with greater demand through restaurants. USMEF Regional Director for Mexico and Central America, Gerardo Rodriguez explains, “The percentage is lower than what we thought. So we get to find …
Colorado Irrigation: How Greeley Transformed Western Agriculture
The Birth of Agriculture in Greeley Greeley became Colorado’s first major agricultural settlement, marking a turning point in the development of farming across the state. Early settlers arrived with optimism but quickly encountered a harsh and unforgiving environment. At the time, much of the region was labeled the “Great American Desert,” a term used to describe the dry, unpredictable conditions …










