WASHINGTON, June 30, 2025 – The USDA’s National Agricultural Statistics Service (NASS) released its annual Acreage Report today, showing key shifts in U.S. crop planting for 2025. Corn continues to dominate the landscape, while soybean and cotton acreage fell compared to last year. According to the report, U.S. farmers planted 95.2 million acres of corn in 2025, marking a 5% …
Cotton, Cotton Gin, Helped Shape American Ag Economy
From Columbus to the Cotton Gin: The Crop That Changed a Nation In this edition of the American Agriculture History Minute, Mark Oppold shares a pivotal chapter in American farming—how cotton became one of the nation’s most transformative crops. When Christopher Columbus arrived in the New World in 1492, he discovered cotton growing wild. It wasn’t long before the crop …
Massey-Ferguson: A Legacy in Agriculture
In the ever-evolving world of agriculture, few names carry the weight of tradition and innovation like Massey-Ferguson. But how did this iconic brand come to be? It all began in 1891, when Hart Massey and Allison Harris merged their companies to form Massey-Harris Limited. Their early innovations included threshing machines and, interestingly, safety bicycles—a surprising reflection of the company’s versatility …
Alabama Agribusiness Council New Officer Team Looks To Expand Membership and Grow Events
The Alabama Agribusiness Council new officer team began their term this week during their 2025 Annual Meeting. We caught up with Erin Beasley, incoming President of the Alabama Agribusiness Council, who shared the focus of this year’s officer team. Dale Sandlin reporting for Southeast AgNet. Sponsored ContentFCEB Recurring Funding Provides Opportunity for Longer Term Research ProjectsOctober 10, 2025Florida Cattle Enhancement …
USDA Announces Cuts to DEI Focused Awards
The US Department of Agriculture (USDA) has announced that they will be terminating 145 Diversity, Equity and Inclusion (DEI) focused awards. The cuts, amounting to a maximum savings of $148.6 Million include programs that will be terminated including programs that would: Educate and engage socially disadvantaged farmers on conservation practices; a program that would create a new model for urban …
Thailand, Vietnam, Brazil Increase US Access to Markets
U.S. Secretary of Agriculture Brooke Rollins announced American agricultural producers will have greater market access to Thailand and Vietnam while maintaining access to Brazil. USDA says the Trump Administration continues to break down non-tariff barriers and defend current market access, and these latest actions are some of many wins ahead for American producers. U.S. dairy producers will maintain access to …
Big Beautiful Bill Contains Farm Bill Provisions
Inside the sprawling legislative package moving through Washington, key elements of the long-awaited Farm Bill have made their way into both House and Senate proposals—a positive development for the agricultural sector. According to Senate Agriculture Committee Chairman John Boozman (R-AR), the Senate’s version of the bill closely mirrors the House version, which is essential for eventual passage. Provisions include: Jamie …
Windmill; a Lasting Legacy in American Agriculture
Ag History Minute: From Ancient Innovation to American Farms In this edition of the American Agriculture History Minute, we take a closer look at one of the most enduring tools in rural landscapes: the windmill. This historical moment honors the windmill’s essential role in farming history. Modern windmills, as we recognize them today, trace their origins back to the 8th …
Agricultural Trails Shaped the West
American Ag History Minute: Santa Fe, Oregon, and California Trails In this edition of the American Agriculture History Minute, Mark Oppold takes us back to a pivotal time in westward expansion when early settlers pushed beyond Kansas City into the great unknown. Once they reached the city of Independence, Missouri, three major trails offered different paths into the West—each playing …
USDA/AMS Grants Offers Opportunities For Local and Regional Food Systems
The U.S. Department of Agriculture’s Agricultural Marketing Service (USDA/AMS) is offering three different grant programs for producers to strengthen local and regional food systems. Tricia Kovacs with AMS highlights these grant opportunities under the Local Agricultural Market Program (LAMP) which offers $26.5 Million through 3 programs. To learn more about the programs visit www.ams.usda.gov/services/grants Dale Sandlin reporting for Southeast AgNet. …