U.S. Pork Exports Set Annual Record

Dan Exports/Imports, Pork

Led by a record-shattering performance in Mexico and broad-based growth elsewhere, U.S. pork exports set a value record in 2023. Data shows December pork exports rose 10 percent from the prior year to 268,400 metric tons, the largest since May 2021 and the eighth-largest on record. Export value increased 11 percent to $766 million, also the highest since May 2021 …

Pest Prevention Projects and PPA 7721

Dan Pest/Pest Control, This Land of Ours, USDA-APHIS

Projects to prevent plant pests. That’s coming up on This Land of Ours. Over 370 projects across U.S states and territories are funded as part of a USDA program focused on plant pest and disease defense. Samantha Simon of the Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service tells us about the USDA program designed to support state efforts. “It grants USDA …

Over $4.5M Approved for Florida Farmers Impacted by Hurricane Idalia

Dan Agri-Business, Economy, Florida, Florida Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services (FDACS), Funding

(FDACS/TALLAHASSEE, FL/Feb 13, 2024) — Florida Commissioner of Agriculture Wilton Simpson announced that more than $4.5 million has been approved for farmers impacted by Hurricane Idalia through the Florida Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services’ Agriculture and Aquaculture Producers Natural Disaster Recovery Loan Program and the Silviculture Recovery Program. Launched less than one month ago, the two agricultural recovery programs aim to help Florida …

USDA’s Working Lands Climate Corps

Dan Climate Change, Environment

The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) has launched the Working Lands Climate Corps (WLCC), an initiative designed to train the next generation of conservation and climate leaders. Xochitl Torres Small, Deputy Secretary of Agriculture, revealed the program at the National Association of Conservation Districts’ (NACD) yearly gathering in San Diego. According to Will McIntee, Senior Advisor for Public Engagement at …

Back to the Basics: UGA Extension Reminds Cotton Growers About Importance of Soil Fertility

Dan Cotton, Georgia Cotton Commission (GCC), Soil, Soil

By Clint Thompson The Georgia Cotton Commission and University of Georgia Cotton Team encourage growers to get back to the basics with regards to soil fertility. Glen Harris, UGA Extension soil specialist, discussed that topic with AgNet Media’s Randall Weiseman during the recent GCC annual meeting in Tifton, Georgia. “There are a lot of new things we’re looking at; biologicals, …

Seeing Highs in Cattle Markets

Dan Cattle, Commodities, Economy, Marketing

We have been seeing some highs in both cattle and feeder futures. Mark Oppold has more on that, along with a reminder about the corporate earnings season. Sponsored ContentCIR Agriculture Harvester ProductsMarch 1, 2026Florida Cattle Enhancement Board Offers Targeted Research for Florida Cattle IndustryFebruary 20, 2026Florida Cattle Enhancement Board Allows Viable Research in the Cattle IndustryFebruary 6, 2026Florida Cattle Enhancement …

Forecasting Profitability in the Cattle Industry

Dan Beef, Cattle, Marketing

During the recent Cattle Industry Convention in Orlando, CattleFax noted the smallest beef cow inventory in the last 50 years, coupled with historically strong demand, led to those higher average fed cattle and calf prices in 2023. And as reduced cattle numbers and beef production continue over the next three years, they note leverage and profitability will continue to favor cattle producers. …

USDA Contributes Millions to Bolster Food Supply Chain

Dan Economy, This Land of Ours

The USDA gives a boost to the food supply chain. That’s coming up on This Land of Ours. Ag Secretary Tom Vilsack announced that the USDA has awarded over $270 million to date through cooperative agreements with state departments of agriculture to build resilience across the middle of the food supply chain and strengthen local and regional food systems. The …

Next Steps for FMMO

Dan Dairy, Marketing, National Milk Producers Federation (NMPF)

The USDA has finished the Federal Milk Marketing Order (FMMO) hearing and is now considering more than 12,000 pages of testimony as it formulates its plan for FMMO modernization. The National Milk Producers Federation (NMPF) continues to do what it can to ensure that the proposal best reflects the interest of dairy farmers and their cooperatives. “We feel that we …

Updating Data Ahead of Outlook Forum

Dan Cattle, Commodities, Corn, Economy, Pork, Soybeans, USDA

USDA’s Outlook Forum is coming up this week. Mark Oppold looks at how data being compiled may affect the corn and soybeans markets, and also where things stand with quarterly livestock price projections. Sponsored ContentCIR Agriculture Harvester ProductsMarch 1, 2026Florida Cattle Enhancement Board Offers Targeted Research for Florida Cattle IndustryFebruary 20, 2026Florida Cattle Enhancement Board Allows Viable Research in the Cattle IndustryFebruary …