NRCS Invests to Assist Producers Transitioning to Organic Production

The NRCS is investing $75 million to assist producers transitioning to organic production.  As part of the multi-agency Organic Transition Initiative (OTI), USDA’s Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS) will dedicate financial and technical assistance to a new organic management standard and partner with new organic technical experts to increase staff capacity and expertise.? NRCS will dedicate $70 million to assist producers …

Quiet Grain Trade before the Holiday Break

The grain trade is expected to be somewhat quiet today ahead of the Easter break. Mark Oppold has more. 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

Commodity Prices, Interest Rates, Prompt Ag Economy Barometer Decline

Farmer sentiment weakened again in March as the Purdue University-CME Group Ag Economy Barometer fell eight points to a reading of 117. Both the Index of Current Conditions and the Index of Future Expectations declined eight points in March, leaving the Current Conditions Index at 126 and the Future Expectations Index at 113. Weaker prices for key commodities, including wheat, …

Death Tax Repeal Act Introduced in U.S. Senate

Something we’ve talked many times about over the years is the Estate Tax, or as many know it as, the Death Tax. It has been a top issue for agriculture groups and has been discussed in our nation’s capital various times. And, it’s being discussed again, as last week Senator John Thune (R-SD) and 40 colleagues reintroduced legislation to permanently repeal …

Tight Soybean Stocks Helping Other Grain Futures

Tight soybean stocks are helping with other grain futures trading. Mark Oppold looks at how some of those futures are doing. 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 …

Study Demonstrates Red Meat Exports’ Value to Corn and Soybean Industries

A record value of beef and pork exports brought significant returns to the U.S. corn and soybean industries in 2022, according to an independent study conducted by World Perspectives, Inc. and released by the U.S. Meat Export Federation (USMEF). U.S. pork and beef exports contributed an estimated total economic impact of 15% per bushel to the value of corn and 13% per …

Grain Trade Focusing on Many Factors

There are many factors the grain trade will be focusing on this week. Mark Oppold notes that includes last Friday’s planting intentions 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 …

USDA Announces Funding to Help Farmers, Ranchers and Rural Businesses Invest in Renewable Energy Systems and Energy-Efficiency Improvements

President Biden’s Inflation Reduction Act Lowers Energy Costs, Builds America’s Clean-Energy Economy in Rural America (USDA-RD/WASHINGTON, March 31, 2023) — U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) Secretary Tom Vilsack today announced that USDA is accepting applications starting on April 1 for $1 billion in grants to help agricultural producers and rural small businesses invest in renewable energy systems and make energy-efficiency improvements. …

Vilsack Requesting More Money to Work on the PFAS Situation

The Secretary of Agriculture is requesting more money in next year’s budget to do more work on the PFAS situation. Gary Crawford has more details. 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 …

USDA Announces Additional Help for Distressed Farmers

There’s additional help for some farmers who need it. That’s coming up on This Land of Ours. Starting in April, the USDA will provide approximately $123 million in additional, automatic financial assistance for qualifying farm loan program borrowers who are facing financial risk, as part of the $3.1 billion to help distressed farm loan borrowers that was provided through Section …