Markets Focus on Federal Reserve as USDA Monthly Crop Report Takes Backseat Yesterday’s USDA monthly crop report (WASDE Report) entered a market environment already dominated by two major developments: the administration’s $12 billion farm aid package and expectations of another Federal Reserve rate cut. With financial markets laser-focused on interest rate movements, both Chicago grain traders and Wall Street placed …
The earlier mentioned one-time bridge payments to American farmers are intended in part to aid farmers until investments from the One Big Beautiful Bill Act, which includes a 10 to 21 percent increase in reference prices, are set to reach eligible farmers on October 1, 2026. Farmers who qualify for the FBA Program can expect payments to be released by …
The Morrill Act of 1862 and the Birth of Land-Grant Universities Land-grant universities have played a defining role in shaping American agriculture, research, and education. As Mark Oppold explains in this American Agriculture History Minute, these institutions were established largely through the landmark Morrill Act of 1862. The Act provided federal land to states, enabling them to fund colleges focused …
A Landmark in American Expansion In 1803, the United States completed one of the most important land acquisitions in history: the Louisiana Purchase. For just $15 million, approximately $18 per square mile, the U.S. acquired a vast territory from France. This purchase would not only expand the nation geographically but also profoundly impact the future of American agriculture. Over 530 …
A Pioneering Beginning During the Civil War Kansas State University—originally named Kansas State Agricultural College—was formally established on February 16, 1863, in Manhattan, Kansas. As described in Mark Oppold’s American Agriculture History Minute, its founding took place during the American Civil War, a period marked by national upheaval yet also visionary public investment in education. Despite the challenges of wartime, …
Florida Cattlemen’s Association Showcases New One-Day Format at Winter Quarterly Meeting The Florida Cattlemen’s Association (FCA) held its annual Winter Quarterly Meeting last week, bringing cattle producers from across the state to Ocala for a reimagined event structure. The gathering highlighted the association’s strong grassroots foundation, enhanced industry collaboration, and a new streamlined format designed to increase participation and efficiency. …
Southeast Drought Continues to Impact Cattle and Hay Production Despite Recent Rain Although some areas of the Southeast received rain over the weekend, drought conditions continue to challenge producers across much of the region. According to USDA meteorologist Brad Rippey, the latest U.S. Drought Monitor data from early December shows ongoing stress on both cattle and hay production, even as …
Farmers Set to Receive ARC and PLC Payments Under the One Big Beautiful Bill Farmers across the nation are preparing to receive much-needed support through federal farm programs following the passage of what many are calling the One Big Beautiful Bill. These new provisions are designed to provide financial relief to producers through updated payment estimates for both the Agriculture …
Expanding Access to Risk Protection Final Rule Modernizes Crop Insurance for 2026 The U.S. farm community is preparing for important changes after U.S. Secretary of Agriculture Brooke Rollins announced that updates are coming to federal crop insurance processes. The Expanding Access to Risk Protection Final Rule is designed to streamline requirements across multiple crops, improve program efficiency, and respond directly …
The Land-Grant Origins of Ohio State University: How a New College Was Chosen to Lead Ohio’s Future The founding of Ohio State University is a defining chapter in both Ohio’s educational history and the broader story of America’s land-grant movement. Born from the Morrill Act of 1862, the institution began as the Ohio Agricultural and Mechanical College—a school designed to …
