A group of agricultural organizations are requesting the Secretary of Commerce, Howard Lutnick, to revoke the countervailing duty orders on the importation of phosphate fertilizers. In a letter to Secretary Lutnick, the group highlights that Countervailing duty orders will increase the current economic conditions facing American farmers. The letter states, “Maintaining the phosphate fertilizer CVDs will allow a small set …
Georgia State Seed Lab Urges Testing
Peanut farmers and other farmers are trying to get ready to plant this crop, not knowing exactly how many you’re going to plant or what you will be planting. The Georgia Department of Agriculture State Seed Lab encourages you to check your seed, have a seed test done on germination and vigor if you’re saving seed. The easiest way to submit seed to …
USDA Unveils New Product of USA Label
U.S. Secretary of Agriculture Brooke Rollins has announced a new Product of USA label for meat, eggs and poultry producers as part of a voluntary labeling standard that became effective on January 1, 2026. Secretary Rollins said, “Our great patriot ranchers and producers grow, raise, and harvest the world’s safest, most affordable, and abundant food supply. American consumers want to …
Final Federal Reserve Board Meeting For Chairman Powell Upcoming
The next Federal Reserve Board meeting is a little more than a month away. It’s the last one for Board Chairman Powell before his term expires in May, and his last meeting could be an historic one. There’s more talk on Wall Street that the Fed may be looking at three scenarios at their meeting, April 28th, 29th, leaving interest rates unchanged, …
From Mail-Order Roots to Rural Retail Giant: Tractor Supply’s Rise
A Humble Beginning in 1938 American agriculture has always depended on innovation—not just in the field, but in how farmers access the tools they need. In 1938, Charles E. Schmidt recognized a major gap and launched a mail-order tractor parts business in Minot, North Dakota. At the time, many farmers faced long travel distances to find replacement parts. Schmidt’s mail-order …
Agriculture Industry Reacts to Signing of Florida Farm Bill
With the signing of the Florida Farm Bill, the agricultural industry is reacting. Jim Spratt, chairman of the Florida Ag Coalition said, “The Florida Ag Coalition membership applauds Commissioner Simpson for championing a strong Florida Farm Bill and thanks Governor DeSantis for signing this important legislation to safeguard family farms, enhance food security through Farmers Feeding Florida and promote the …
Checking In On The Peanut Market
USDA Agriculture Department says we produced 3,590,000 tons of peanuts this past year. That’s an 11% increase over the previous year. Domestic use for domestic food is predicted to decrease this year about 1.6% so far. Peanuts for crush, that’s going into peanut oil, is up 22%. This could have been caused by some quality issues during the peanut harvest and some dry areas. Peanut …
Alabama Encouraging Specialty Crop Producers To Report Crop Damage
Alabama Specialty Crop Producers are being encouraged by the Alabama Department of Agriculture and Industries to report damage caused by recent freeze events to their local FSA Offices. According to the department, “Initial reports from farmers indicate early-season fruit crops were among the hardest hit. Producers in several regions have reported significant losses to early varieties of peaches and plums, …
Nebraska Wildfires Donations
A farm wife from central Nebraska puts into perspective the help that’s coming to areas affected by the wildfires that continue. She did some math and says that a loaded semi can carry about 28 tons of hay, mostly alfalfa, and at today’s market prices that equals about $2,500 donation for each semi. Officials are trying to keep track of a count of how …
From Failed Crops to the Wheat State: Early Kansas Agriculture
Settlement and the Promise of Kansas Farmland Early agriculture in the state of Kansas was not always successful. When Kansas was opened to settlement in 1854, waves of settlers began moving into the region, drawn by the promise of fertile land on the vast prairie. Farmers arriving in the territory often brought seeds with them from the eastern United States …









