This week, a coalition of 131 groups representing farmers, the food system, the environment, animal welfare, and antimonopoly advocacy called on Congress to restore accountability and transparency to commodity checkoff programs by supporting inclusion of the Opportunities for Fairness in Farming (OFF) Act (S.557 and H.R.1249) in the 2023 Farm Bill. Checkoff programs are funded through mandatory fees on farmers and ranchers producing …
Is U.S. Losing Trade Competitiveness?
The U.S. remains the top exporter of a few commodities, but the competition is getting closer. That’s coming up on This Land of Ours. The USDA’s Economic Research Service (ERS) released a report on the competitiveness of U.S. exports, and it shows while we’re still top in some categories, the competition is getting hotter. The report says that export shares …
A Remarkable Boost in Funding for USDA Conservation Next Year
The USDA conservation budget for next year could see what the Agriculture Secretary calls a “remarkable” increase. Gary Crawford has more details. Sponsored ContentFlorida Cattle Enhancement Board Supports Beef Education and Promotion ProgramsJanuary 23, 2026Florida Cattle Producers Proactive In Research Efforts Funded by the Florida Cattle Enhancement BoardJanuary 16, 2026Florida Cattle Industry Supports Administration of Florida Cattle Enhancement BoardJanuary 9, …
Bankers Report an 8.1 Percent increase in Farm Bank Lending
Despite numerous headwinds in 2022, agricultural lending by U.S. farm banks increased by 8.1 percent in 2022 to $103.1 billion. The American Bankers Association’s annual Farm Bank Performance Report says the change is due to a 9.7 percent increase in outstanding loans secured by farmland and a 5.9 percent increase in agricultural and production loans. The report also says farmland …
U.S. Peanut Federation Joins Ag Groups Urging Help from Budget Committee
We told you yesterday that various agricultural groups are asking the U.S. Senate and House Budget Committees for help this year. Tyron Spearman reports that one of those groups is the U.S. Peanut Federation (USPF). Sponsored ContentFlorida Cattle Enhancement Board Supports Beef Education and Promotion ProgramsJanuary 23, 2026Florida Cattle Producers Proactive In Research Efforts Funded by the Florida Cattle Enhancement …
USDA Central America-Dominican Republic Trade Mission
USDA leaders visit Panama for a trade mission. That’s coming up on This Land of Ours. Department of Agriculture Undersecretary for Trade and Foreign Agricultural Affairs Alexis Taylor arrived in Panama City Monday to launch a regional agribusiness trade mission. Taylor and the trade delegation on the trip look to develop stronger ties and build economic partnerships between the United …
Budget Committees Asked for Help
Various agricultural groups are asking the U.S. Senate and House Budget Committees for help in 2023. Tyron Spearman has more details. Sponsored ContentFlorida Cattle Enhancement Board Supports Beef Education and Promotion ProgramsJanuary 23, 2026Florida Cattle Producers Proactive In Research Efforts Funded by the Florida Cattle Enhancement BoardJanuary 16, 2026Florida Cattle Industry Supports Administration of Florida Cattle Enhancement BoardJanuary 9, 2026Florida …
USDA Awards Funding to Protect U.S. Cattle from FMD
USDA Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service (APHIS) last week awarded the National Cattlemen’s Beef Association (NCBA) with $445,400 in funding to advance the Secure Beef Supply Plan. The plan would go into effect in the event of a foot-and-mouth disease (FMD) outbreak in the U.S. “NCBA is grateful for this critical funding to help continue defending the U.S. cattle herd from …
Keeping an Eye on the Fed
Many folks are keeping an eye on the Fed today, waiting to see what may come out of those meetings. Mark Oppold has more details. Sponsored ContentFlorida Cattle Enhancement Board Supports Beef Education and Promotion ProgramsJanuary 23, 2026Florida Cattle Producers Proactive In Research Efforts Funded by the Florida Cattle Enhancement BoardJanuary 16, 2026Florida Cattle Industry Supports Administration of Florida Cattle Enhancement BoardJanuary …
Agriculture Secretary Tom Vilsack on National Ag Day
U.S. Agriculture Secretary Tom Vilsack has a special message on this 50th Anniversary of National Agriculture Day. Agriculture Secretary Tom Vilsack released the following statement in celebration of the annual National Agriculture Day, Tuesday, March 21: “On this 50th National Ag Day, we recognize the contributions of American farmers, farmworkers, ranchers, forest landowners, and all agricultural producers in providing our nation …