I’m Mark Oppold with an American Agriculture History Minute. Early settlers discovered that the Great Plains were not all that great. They found very harsh climate with tornadoes, blizzards, drought, hailstorms, floods and grasshoppers. It made for high risks and ruined many crops and many settlers that became financially ruined and either protested through the populist movement or went back …
National Peanut Board Organizing New College Club
The National Peanut Board is working to start a new club at various colleges around the country to get students using more peanuts. Tyron Spearman has more details. Sponsored ContentCommitment From Florida Cattle Enhancement Board Members Seeks To Move Research ForwardDecember 5, 2025Florida Cattle Enhancement Board Provides Support For Cattle Producers Regardless of Herd SizeNovember 28, 2025Florida Cattle Enhancement Board Expands the promotion and …
Watching Prices for Cattle Futures
Some new highs have been seen when it comes to cattle futures. Mark Oppold has been watching what has transpired over the past week. Sponsored ContentCommitment From Florida Cattle Enhancement Board Members Seeks To Move Research ForwardDecember 5, 2025Florida Cattle Enhancement Board Provides Support For Cattle Producers Regardless of Herd SizeNovember 28, 2025Florida Cattle Enhancement Board Expands the promotion and …
Farm Bankruptcies Climbing in 2025
Farm bankruptcies grew 55 percent from 2023 to 2024 and are trending even higher in 2025. Farmers are continuing to struggle with low prices for their agricultural commodities and the high costs of inputs needed to grow those crops. Bloomberg says unpredictable tariffs, immigration overhauls, federal programs being cut, and frozen USDA funding are now part of the challenges farmers …
American Agriculture History Minute: Homestead Act of 1862
I’m Mark Oppold with an American Agriculture History Minute. The federal government issued 160-acre tracts to about 400,000 families who settled a new land under the Homestead Act 1862. Even larger numbers purchased lands at very low cost as new railroads tried to create new markets. The railroads advertised heavily in Europe and brought over hundreds of thousands of farmers …
More on Changes to SNAP
We told you yesterday that the U.S. Department of Agriculture recently issued a statement concerning proposed changes to the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP). Today, Tyron Spearman has even more details about the possible changes coming to SNAP. USDA Reiterates Importance of Those Who Can Work, Should Work While Receiving SNAP (Washington, D.C., April 17, 2025)—Today, the U.S. Department of Agriculture issued a memorandum to all …
Lower Dollar Helps Grain Exports
Due to the lower dollar, grain exports are seeing two-year highs. Mark Oppold has a look at how that and other factors might affect the grain trade. Sponsored ContentCommitment From Florida Cattle Enhancement Board Members Seeks To Move Research ForwardDecember 5, 2025Florida Cattle Enhancement Board Provides Support For Cattle Producers Regardless of Herd SizeNovember 28, 2025Florida Cattle Enhancement Board Expands …
Hemp Planted Acreage Jumps 64%
The value of U.S. industrial hemp production reached $445 million in 2024, representing a 40% increase over the prior year. That’s according to the National Hemp Report that came out last week. Total planted area for hemp jumped to almost 45,300 acres, 64% higher than in 2023, with harvested area also rising to just under 32,700 acres. Floral hemp has …
American Agriculture History Minute: Western Great Plains Becomes Open Cattle Range
I’m Mark Oppold with an American Agriculture History Minute. The western Great Plains became open range country hosting cattle ranching. In the spring and fall ranchers held roundups where the cowboys would brand new calves, treat them and sort them for sale. Ranching began early in Texas gradually moving northward. Cowboys drove cattle north to the railroad lines, cities like …
USDA Issues Statement Concerning SNAP
The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) recently issued a statement concerning the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program, otherwise known as SNAP. Tyron Spearman has more details. Sponsored ContentCommitment From Florida Cattle Enhancement Board Members Seeks To Move Research ForwardDecember 5, 2025Florida Cattle Enhancement Board Provides Support For Cattle Producers Regardless of Herd SizeNovember 28, 2025Florida Cattle Enhancement Board Expands the promotion and educational …










