While the U.S. cotton crop is still behind last year in the pace of the crop setting bolls, USDA meteorologist Brad Rippey says overall the crop remains in good shape. In Alabama, only 27 percent of the cotton crop saw bolls opening, which compares to 52 percent last year and 56 percent is the 5-year average. As for peanut harvest, …
U.S. Tractor and Combine Sales Increased in August
U.S. tractor sales increased last month compared to 2020 while combine sales jumped 19.8 percent, according to the Association of Equipment Manufacturers monthly sales report. Combine sales posted the second month in a row of growth near 20 percent in the United States, and total farm tractor sales climbed 9.9 percent. Sub 40 horsepower tractor sales were up 8.7 percent, …
JBS Grand Island Meatpacking Fire Halts Processing
A fire at the JBS Grand Island, Nebraska, processing facility halted beef packing production Monday. The Grand Island Fire Department explained via Twitter the fire was burning the roof of the facility’s rendering section. The JBS Grand Island facility is a two-shift, beef-processing plant employing more than 3,600 people. The facility’s Facebook page contained a post stating, “Fabrication and slaughter …
Type of Melons Known for Their Sweet, Enticing Flavor
The type of melons known for their sweet, enticing flavor and scent. That’s coming up on This Land of Ours. There are two types of muskmelons that you can try growing. Eastern muskmelons have deep ribs on the skin. The western varieties have smooth-skins. Muskmelons don’t tolerate cold yet have a long growing season. It’s important to look at the …
More Crop Forecast Numbers
Tyron Spearman runs through more numbers from last Friday’s USDA monthly crop forecast report. 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
Technologies for Improved Nutrient Analysis
Nutrient management is important for citrus production. Regular nutrient assessments should be conducted to optimize nutrient balance and prevent deficiencies or over-fertilization. Optimizing nutrition is important for tree health and can improve tolerance to stresses and diseases. Good nutrient management requires regular field monitoring to identify problems and examine crop responses. Leaves need to be collected and sent to a …
U.S. Cotton Trust Protocol Holding Enrollment Webinars
The U.S. Cotton Trust Protocol will present six live enrollment webinars over the next few weeks that will focus on how the program helps U.S. growers meet the changing demands from their end customer while also better documenting and verifying the sustainability practices and advances already incorporated into their farms. Launched in 2020, the Trust Protocol is a farm level, …
USDA Accepts More than 2.5 Million Acres in Grassland CRP
The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) announced they have accepted offers for more than 2.5 million acres from agricultural producers and private landowners for enrollment through this year’s Grassland Conservation Reserve Program (CRP) Signup. This is double last year’s enrollment and brings the total acres enrolled across all CRP signups in 2021 to more than 5.3 million acres, surpassing USDA’s …
Pandemic Assistance Available for Livestock Producers
It was two months ago when the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) announced the Pandemic Livestock Indemnity Program (PLIP), designed to help livestock and poultry producers that suffered losses during the Covid-19 pandemic due to insufficient access to processing. You can apply for assistance for those losses and the cost of depopulation and disposal of the animals. This is a reminder the deadline to …
Growing Pine Nuts is Straightforward, with Patience and Space
How to grow your own nutty treat that’s been used in kitchens for thousands of years. That’s coming up on This Land of Ours. Growing your own pine nuts is straightforward, and with patience and plenty of space, you’ll be able to harvest a large amount of those nutty little treats. It will take a few years to start producing, …