I’m Mark Oppold with an American Agriculture History Minute. In 1946, Robert Doherty was looking for a good business opportunity, and he recognized the potential of a small manufacturing company on a farm just west of Valley, Nebraska. After careful consideration, he invested $5 ,000, nearly his entire savings, in Valley Manufacturing and began working farm elevators. A year later, …
Supporting Women in Western Industries with $30,000 Scholarship
Durango Boots is making a impact on the Western community through its National Day of the Cowgirl Scholarship, but the deadline is just days away. The scholarship awards $30,000 to a freshman female undergraduate pursuing a Western-affiliated degree, with the funds distributed over three years to help alleviate the cost of higher education. Erin DeLong, Marketing Manager for Durango Boots, …
Thankful for Passage of Agricultural Economic and Disaster Assistance
Many in agriculture are pleased with the final passage last Friday of the Fiscal Year 2025 appropriations legislation, which includes agricultural economic assistance and disaster assistance. And according to Tyron Spearman, the United States Peanut Federation (USPF) applauds Congress for their efforts. Last Friday, the U.S. House of Representatives passed H.R. 10545 by a vote of 366-34, which included a continuing …
More Funding for Electronic Identification Tags
According to a senior member of Senate Agriculture Committee, more funding is being made for Electronic Identification Tags. Rusty Halvorson has more details. Senator John Hoeven, Ranking Member of the Senate Agriculture Appropriations Committee and a senior member of the Senate Agriculture Committee, announced that the Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service (or APHIS) will provide an additional 3 million electronic …
Ten Percent Fewer U.S. Farms From 2012-2022
The 2022 Census of Agriculture showed the U.S. had 1,900,487 farms, down from over 2,100,000 in 2012. That represented a ten percent drop, or 208,816 farms, in ten years. The Census of Ag is conducted every five years, and the last two five-year periods saw the number of farms decrease in all four farm size categories from 2012-2017. The smallest …
Report Warns Losing Glyphosate Could Reshape Farm Bill Costs and Policies
A recent report released by The Directions Group, formerly known as Aimpoint Research, outlines potential ripple effects across several key areas of U.S. agriculture policy if farmers lose access to glyphosate. According to the report, titled “Farm Bill Programs and the Role of Crop Protection Tools,” reduced availability of the herbicide could significantly affect costs, yields, and various titles of …
NCBA Supports Blocking the CTA
The National Cattlemen’s Beef Association (NCBA) is supporting blockage of the Corporate Transparency Act from being enforced. Rusty Halvorson has more details. Sponsored ContentFCEB Recurring Funding Provides Opportunity for Longer Term Research ProjectsOctober 10, 2025Florida Cattle Enhancement Board Advances Forage ResearchOctober 3, 2025Florida Cattle Enhancement Board Acts As Catalyst For Timely ResearchSeptember 26, 2025
Final Days for Current Secretary of Agriculture
The new Administration will take office in January, and that is when the current U.S. Secretary of Agriculture will see his term end. Mark Oppold has more details. Sponsored ContentFCEB Recurring Funding Provides Opportunity for Longer Term Research ProjectsOctober 10, 2025Florida Cattle Enhancement Board Advances Forage ResearchOctober 3, 2025Florida Cattle Enhancement Board Acts As Catalyst For Timely ResearchSeptember 26, 2025
Congress Leaving Town with No Prop 12 Fix
The National Pork Producers Council (NPPC) is deeply disappointed in Congress’ decision to relinquish its responsibility to produce a five-year farm bill and an overdue federal solution to California’s Proposition 12. The organization says pork producers don’t have the luxury of waiting for Congress to pass a new five-year bill. “After years of losing money and forcing family farms out of business, …
Farm Bureau Pleads for Farmer Aid as Funding Bill Falters Following Musk Tweet
American Farm Bureau Federation (AFBF) President Zippy Duvall sent a letter to Congress late yesterday, urging lawmakers to consider the needs of farmers and ranchers as they debate changes to a key federal funding measure. The measure, known as a Continuing Resolution (CR), would help keep the government running while leaders work on a final budget. The AFBF is calling …