A company letter released this week by the state of Minnesota says Cargill will permanently terminate almost 500 employees in the state, which is home to the company’s corporate headquarters. The terminations will begin on February 5. Cargill recently announced it would cut approximately five percent of its overall staff after revenue took a hit in its most recent fiscal …
American Agriculture History Minute: Learning the Laws of Supply and Demand
I’m Mark Oppold with an American Agriculture History Minute. Farmers and ranchers in early American agriculture quickly learned about the laws of supply and demand. The cotton gin made it possible to increase cotton production in the South, for example, and cotton became a major export crop. But eventually, the increased supply would put severe downward pressure on cotton prices. …
Federal Court Blocks Corporate Transparency Act, Offering Relief to Farmers and Ranchers
Farmers and ranchers have received a temporary reprieve from federal reporting requirements under the Corporate Transparency Act (CTA), thanks to a nationwide injunction issued by the U.S. District Court for the Eastern District of Texas. The ruling delays enforcement of the Beneficial Ownership Information (BOI) filing requirements, which were set to take effect on January 1, 2025. The CTA mandates …
USDA Provides Additional Flexibilities to Respond to 2024 Hurricanes
Expedites Emergency Conservation and Disaster Recovery Payments for Producers in Nine States Impacted by Hurricanes in 2016 to 2023 (USDA-FSA/WASHINGTON/Dec. 5, 2024) – The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) announced it is taking steps to streamline and provide flexibilities for environmental compliance requirements for 2024 hurricanes Debby, Helene and Milton allowing the Farm Service Agency (FSA) to expedite approval of payments …
Tariffs and Trade: Examining Potential Impacts on Agriculture
As President-elect Donald Trump prepares to take office, questions are rising about the potential impact his administration may have on agriculture, especially in the areas of trade and tariffs. Roland Fumasi, head of RaboResearch Food and Agribusiness North America, shared insights into these possible challenges and opportunities during a recent interview. “The most tangible and likely thing right now is …
Efforts Continue to Export More U.S. Peanuts
Reverse trade missions are an effort to get more U.S. peanuts in other countries. Tyron Spearman explains how this project is working for peanut farmers here in the Southeast. Sponsored ContentCIR Agriculture Harvester ProductsJuly 1, 2026FL Cattle Enhancement Board Wraps up Funding YearJune 30, 2026Florida Cattle Enhancement Board Awarded Researcher Discusses New World Screwworm OverviewJune 19, 2026Verdant Robotics Offers Growers …
Economic News Reflects Depressed Prices in Rural America
Looking back over the past year, recent economic news is reflecting depressed prices across rural America. Mark Oppold has more details. Sponsored ContentCIR Agriculture Harvester ProductsJuly 1, 2026FL Cattle Enhancement Board Wraps up Funding YearJune 30, 2026Florida Cattle Enhancement Board Awarded Researcher Discusses New World Screwworm OverviewJune 19, 2026Verdant Robotics Offers Growers Targeted Application of Herbicides or Beneficials through SharpShooter™June 16, 2026
USMEF Participates in USDA Trade Mission to Morocco
The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) this week is leading a delegation of 50 ag companies and organizations on a trade mission to Morocco. And Rusty Halvorson reports, a representative from USMEF is on that trip. The U.S. Meat Export Federation (USMEF) is participating in a USDA trade mission to Morocco this week. The trade delegation is being led by USDA Foreign …
American Agriculture History Minute: Agriculture Differences Across America
I’m Mark Oppold with an American Agriculture History Minute. Agriculture in the South was much different than that in the Midwest and in New England. In the Southern states, the poorer lands were held by poorer farmers. The best lands were held by rich plantation owners. All farms grew their own food, but also concentrated on a few new crops …
Signup Deadline for NRCS-Alabama Easement Programs is December 20
The USDA Natural Resources Conservation Service in Alabama (NRCS-AL) wants to remind landowners in the state the deadline for the Fiscal Year 2025 Farm Bill Easement signup through the Agricultural Conservation Easement Program (ACEP) is December 20, 2024. The programs available through ACEP are Wetland Reserve Easements (ACEP-WRE) and Agricultural Land Easements (ACEP-ALE). ACEP-WRE easements provide habitat for fish and wildlife, including threatened and endangered species, improve water quality …










