Hog Market Watches Quarterly Report Amid Light Holiday Trading With Christmas approaching next Thursday, there is not much in the way of new information influencing the grain or livestock markets. Holiday schedules are beginning to thin out trading activity, and market participants are largely positioning ahead of upcoming reports rather than making aggressive moves. One notable exception this week is …
An American Agriculture History Minute with Mark Oppold Early American farming was never just about the land—it was about the weather. In this American Agriculture History Minute, agricultural historian Mark Oppold explains how climate conditions played a defining role in determining which crops early settlers raised and how regional agriculture developed across the United States. From cooler northern climates to …
NCBA’s 2026 CattleCon Adds New Access to Cattlemen’s College The National Cattlemen’s Beef Association (NCBA) is gearing up for CattleCon 2026, set for February 3rd through the 5th, 2026, in Nashville, Tennessee. One of the most notable updates this year is a new feature tied to Cattlemen’s College, a long-standing educational component of the annual convention. We caught up with …
USDA Updates Peanut Production Forecast as Markets Watch Supply and Demand The U.S. Department of Agriculture’s National Agricultural Statistics Service (NASS) has released another forecast for peanut production from the most recent crop year. While expectations remain largely unchanged for now, industry observers believe adjustments may be coming as final numbers continue to take shape. USDA did not lower its …
Farm Service Agency Shares Details on Upcoming Bridge Assistance Payments With bridge assistance payments to farmers expected soon, the Farm Service Agency (FSA) is providing more insight into how those payments will be calculated and distributed. We sat down with Undersecretary for Farm Production and Conservation Richard Fordyce to discuss what producers can expect as the program moves closer to …
Analysts Caution Cattle on Feed Report Won’t Guarantee Strong 2026 Market Livestock analysts are cautioning producers that even a friendly cattle on feed report does not automatically translate into a sustained bullish cattle market moving into 2026. While near-term fundamentals remain supportive, longer-term questions around herd rebuilding and placement decisions continue to create uncertainty. I’m Mark Oppold, today’s Bottom Line …
Exploring the Debate Over the Biggest Barns in the United States By Mark Oppold – American Agriculture History Minute When it comes to American agriculture, size has always mattered—and few farm structures spark more debate than barns. As Mark Oppold explains in this American Agriculture History Minute, identifying the largest barn in the United States depends on how the term …
Southeast Cotton Growers Share Excitement for New Deltapine Varieties During the recent Deltapine New Product Evaluator (NPE) Summit held in Florida, growers from across the Southeast had the opportunity to learn more about the newest cotton varieties being released for the 2026 growing season. The event brought together producers, agronomists, and industry leaders to evaluate performance data and discuss what …
USDA Awards Peanut Butter Bids to Support Child Nutrition Programs The U.S. Department of Agriculture has announced the awarding of new peanut butter bids as part of its ongoing support for child nutrition programs and other domestic food distribution efforts. The awards were issued through the USDA’s Agricultural Marketing Service (AMS) Commodity Procurement Program under solicitation number 1071. These commodity …
AEM Reports Sharp Decline in U.S. Tractor and Combine Sales The Association of Equipment Manufacturers (AEM) is reporting a significant slowdown in agricultural equipment sales across the United States, highlighting the continued financial pressure facing farmers. According to newly released data, total sales of agricultural tractors in the U.S. dropped nearly 20 percent, while combine sales declined 35 percent compared …
