USDA Releases December 2025 Cotton Production Report for the Southeast The U.S. Department of Agriculture’s National Agricultural Statistics Service (NASS) has released its December 2025 cotton production report, offering an updated look at national and Southeast regional crop conditions. According to the latest forecast, all U.S. cotton production is projected at 14.3 million 480-pound bales, up one percent from the …
USDA Announces $12 Billion in One-Time Bridge Payments for American Farmers President Donald Trump, joined by U.S. Secretary of Agriculture Brooke Rollins, U.S. Secretary of the Treasury Scott Bissett, Senate Agriculture Committee Chairman John Boozman, Senator Deb Fischer, Senator John Hoeven, and Representative Austin Scott, has announced a major new effort to assist American farmers still struggling from years of …
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 …
