Weather and Trade Take Priority Over Latest Crop Report In this month’s bottom-line analysis, Mark Oppold of Southeast AgNet reports that the latest USDA Crop Report is shaping up to be a non-factor for markets. Instead, the agricultural spotlight shifts to two dominant forces: short-term weather forecasts and ongoing tariff uncertainties. According to Oppold, “Corn pollination peaks next week in …
US Secretary of Agriculture Announces National Farm Security Action Plan
The US Secretary of Agriculture Brooke Rollins announced The National Farm Security Action Plan during a press conference earlier this week. USDA in a post on X said, “The National Farm Security Action Plan elevates American Agriculture as a key element of our nation’s security addressing urgent threats from foreign adversaries and strengthening the resilience of our nation’s food and …
U.S. Peanut Acreage Expands in 2025, Crop Conditions Strong
Nationwide Increase in Peanut Plantings The U.S. Department of Agriculture’s National Agricultural Statistics Service (USDA/NASS) has released its latest forecast for peanut acreage in 2025, showing a noticeable increase in planting activity across the country. While official farmer reports are expected by July 15, early estimates suggest that peanut producers have planted approximately 190 million acres nationwide—a 5% rise over …
Secretary of Agriculture Announces the Great American Farmers Market
The US Secretary of Agriculture Brooke Rollins announced last week at a kickoff event to celebrate America’s 250th Birthday. The event, the Great American Farmers Market, will take place during National Farmers Market Week, August 3-8, 2025 and will allow agricultural producers to showcase American Agriculture. This event will be held along the National Mall in Washington DC and will …
Agritourism Booming: U.S. Farms Generate Billions Annually
Holiday Travel Highlights Rise of Agritourism According to recent estimates from AAA, over 72 million Americans traveled at least 50 miles during the recent holiday period. Of those, between 8 to 10 million travelers sought out agricultural destinations, highlighting the growing appeal of agritourism across the country. Agritourism Fuels Economic Growth Nationwide Agritourism has evolved into a vital sector of …
Daniel Halladay Revolutionized Windmill Technology in 1854
Windmills have long played a vital role in agriculture—grinding grain, pumping water, and powering essential equipment. But in 1854, a breakthrough in windmill design changed everything. That year, American inventor Daniel Halladay patented the first commercially successful windmill. What set his design apart? Unlike previous stationary windmills, Halladay’s model automatically turned to face the prevailing wind direction—dramatically increasing efficiency. Even …
Congress Plans to Scrap USDA Climate Hubs, Following Trump Guidance
The Ames, Iowa-based Midwest Climate Hub, which along with the other 10 regional climate hubs under the USDA, is slated to be cut from the federal agriculture budget. The U.S. House appropriations bill that sets the 2026 fiscal year budgets for agriculture, rural development, food and drug administration, and related agencies includes no funds for climate hubs or climate corps. …
U.S. Ag Economy Outlook: Stable but Challenging for Farmers
USA Peanut Congress 2025: Ag Economy Stable, But Challenges Remain At the recent USA Peanut Congress, agricultural economist Jeffrey Dorfman of North Carolina State University provided an in-depth look at the U.S. economic and agricultural outlook for the coming year. Dorfman highlighted that supply chains are mostly back to normal, giving the broader economy a solid footing. However, housing remains …
US Secretary of Agriculture to Revise NEPA Regulations
The US Secretary of Agriculture Brooke Rollins announced earlier this week that USDA is revising the National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA) regulations. The Department, in a press release, states that this will “reduce unnecessary red tape that is killing jobs and raising prices for Americans.” The department is issuing one set of department-wide NEPA regulations, rescinding seven agency-specific regulations allowing …
USDA Announces Phased Reopening of U.S./Mexico Border for Livestock
The U.S. Secretary of Agriculture announced earlier this week that risk-based port re-opening for cattle, equines and bison crossing the US Mexico border may begin as early as July 7. This phased reopening comes as the USDA Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service (APHIS) experts and their counterparts in Mexico worked in collaboration to increase the surveillance, detection and eradication …