Hand-Harvesting Corn – A Labor-Intensive Tradition Corn has long been a cornerstone of American agriculture, but harvesting it in the early 20th century was a labor-intensive challenge. Before tractors and combines became common, farmers relied on hand labor. Worker’s hand-husked each ear of corn and loaded them into high-sided wagons, meticulously picking the fields clean. This demanding work required skill, …
The Cooper Barn: A Kansas Landmark of American Agricultural History
Barns have long stood at the center of American agriculture, symbolizing hard work, innovation, and the enduring spirit of farm families. As settlers pushed westward across the heartland, barns became essential structures on family farms—housing livestock, protecting crops, and anchoring daily agricultural life. One barn in particular stands out for its remarkable size and historical significance: the Cooper Barn in …
AgroLiquid Recommendations for Producers Balanced Fertilizer Program
Fertilizer Decisions Play a Critical Role in Farm Profitability Agricultural producers make thousands of decisions each year that directly impact their farm’s bottom line, and few choices carry as much weight as fertilizer decisions. With rising input costs and tighter margins, making the right fertility investments can be the difference between profit and loss. To learn more about what producers …
National Peanut Board New Officers
National Peanut Board Announces New Leadership Team for 2026 The National Peanut Board (NPB), based in Atlanta, continues its mission of working on behalf of peanut farmers across the nation through a producer-funded promotion program. Supported by a deduction from each ton of peanuts marketed, the National Peanut Board uses these funds to drive research, promotion, and consumer outreach that …
List of Commodities Tracked
Year-End Commodity Review Shows Precious Metals and Cattle Leading the Way As we approach the end of the calendar year, commodity markets are providing plenty to talk about. We’ve highlighted a rare and historic market signal: crude oil and silver crossing the $60 mark at the same time. That event has only happened twice in recorded history, with the last …
BASF Offers Advice to Mitigate Weeds in 2026
BASF Shares Weed Management Advice for Growers Heading Into 2026 Weeds remain a constant and costly challenge for growers across the Southeast, and as planning begins for the 2026 growing season, BASF is offering practical guidance to help producers stay ahead of resistance and protect yields. We caught up with Josh Putman, Technical Marketing Manager with BASF, to discuss effective …
NCBA Shares Efforts on Farm Bill Items Remaining For Cattle Producers
NCBA: One Big Beautiful Bill Delivered for Cattle Industry, but Key Issues Remain The One Big Beautiful Bill, passed earlier this year, delivered several significant wins for the U.S. cattle industry. However, as lawmakers look ahead, some traditional farm bill issues remain unresolved and could still impact cattle producers. We caught up with Ethan Lane of the National Cattlemen’s Beef …
Corn Shelling Bees: How Community and Early Technology Shaped American Agriculture
Corn’s Foundational Role in American Agriculture Corn has always played a central role in American agriculture, serving as a vital crop for both human consumption and livestock feed. From early settlement through the 19th century, corn production shaped farm economies and rural livelihoods across the country. However, while growing corn was essential, processing it—particularly removing kernels from the cob—proved to …
Dr Julie Callahan Confirmed as US Trade Representative’s Chief Agricultural Negotiator
The Office of the United States Trade Representative (USTR) has a new Chief Agricultural Negotiator, with the confirmation of Dr. Julie Callahan to the role. Her appointment is being widely welcomed across the agricultural sector, with farm groups and commodity organizations praising her experience and commitment to expanding opportunities for U.S. agriculture in global markets. The USTR’s office announced the …
How the Great Depression Transformed American Farmland
From Dust to Renewal: How the Great Depression Sparked U.S. Soil Conservation When the winds of the 1930s carried dust across America’s plains, it wasn’t just soil that disappeared—it was hope. Out of that devastation came a powerful movement that would forever change the way farmers and ranchers cared for the land. I’m Mark Oppold, and in this American Agriculture …