The Iron Tracks That Changed Rural America I’m Mark Oppold with an American Agriculture History Minute. Railroads dramatically changed the face of agriculture and rural America as the nation expanded westward. The idea of a “rail highway” was first envisioned by Colonel John Stevens in 1812, marking the beginning of a transportation revolution that would reshape how goods—and people—moved across …
Here are the weekly livestock market reports for Alabama, Florida, and Georgia for the week ended October 10, 2025, compiled by the Livestock Market News Service for all three states. AL Livestock Market Report: At Alabama Livestock Auctions, for the week ended October 10, 2025, receipts at 16 markets totaled 11,779 head compared to 11,144 last week and 10,204 last …
Florida Cattle Enhancement Board Recurring Funding Provides Opportunity for Longer Term Research Projects The Florida Cattle Enhancement Board (FCEB) has received a critical boost to its mission with newly established recurring funding from the Florida Legislature. This change brings stability to a board that plays a vital role in supporting Florida’s beef and cattle industry. We spoke with Woody Larson …
NCGA Joins AMP to Help Modernize EPA’s Pesticide Drift Model Software The National Corn Growers Association (NCGA) has joined a national initiative to modernize pesticide drift modeling software used by the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), aiming to ensure more accurate assessments of spray drift and its environmental impact. “The National Corn Growers Association is joining a project with the goal …
FDA Approves First Drug for New World Screwworm in Cattle: Dectomax-CA1 In a major step forward for livestock health and protection, the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has conditionally approved the first drug in the U.S. for the prevention and treatment of New World Screwworm (NWS). “The U.S. Food and Drug Administration has conditionally approved the first drug for …
USDA Crop Report Suspended, But Private Estimates Offer Insight on Corn and Soybeans Following the recent government shutdown, the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) announced the suspension of its monthly crop report, a key source of market-moving data for farmers, analysts, and traders alike. However, despite the lack of official data, Bottom Line analysts have compiled their own report using …
Florida’s 14th Annual Peanut Butter Challenge Combines Harvest with Hunger Relief As peanut farmers are about halfway through harvesting this year’s crop, Florida is once again rallying its communities for a meaningful cause: the 14th Annual Peanut Butter Challenge. This statewide effort aims to fight hunger and raise awareness of Florida’s vital peanut industry. “Peanut farmers are about halfway through …
A Turning Point in Agricultural Education In 1914, the United States Congress passed the Smith-Lever Act, establishing the Cooperative Extension Service—a transformative program that reshaped how Americans learned about farming, livestock, and home economics. The law created a system that connected land-grant universities with communities across the nation, ensuring that agricultural innovation and scientific research reached producers and their families …
Wilton Simpson Commits to Tackling Ultra-Processed Foods in Florida School Meals Florida Commissioner of Agriculture Wilton Simpson is taking a strong stance on improving childhood nutrition by addressing the prevalence of ultra-processed foods (UPFs) in school meals. In a recent press release, Simpson praised national efforts and pledged state-level action if needed. “The Florida Commissioner of Agriculture Wilton Simpson is …
USDA Responds Swiftly to New World Screwworm Detection in Mexico A new case of New World Screwworm (NWS) has been confirmed in Mexico, roughly 170 miles from the U.S.-Mexico border, according to an official announcement from U.S. Secretary of Agriculture Brooke Rollins. “In a post on X, US Secretary of Agriculture Brooke Rollins announced that another case of New World …
