Large Tractor Sales Increase for Second Month in a Row

Dan Agri-Business, Economy

For the second straight month, unit sales of 100-plus horsepower ag tractors increased in the U.S. New data from the Association of Equipment Manufacturers (AEM) notes March sales jumped 3.2 percent compared to last year, following February’s increase of 2.8 percent compared to 2023. “Seeing the continued growth in 100-plus horsepower tractor sales is a welcome sight as 2024 progresses, despite the softness in …

2024 Congressional Specialty Crop Caucus Formed

Dan Agri-Business, Legislative, Specialty Crops

Specialty crops are once again getting a special focus in congress with the bipartisan 2024 Congressional Specialty Crops Caucus. Co-chairs include Republicans David Valadao of California and David Rouzer of North Carolina, and Democrats Jim Costa of California and Elisa Slotkin of Michigan. Representative Slotkin, a former national security official, says U.S. specialty crops are vital to the nation. “So, …

FARMER Act Introduced to Help Agriculture and Beyond

Dan Agri-Business, Crop Insurance, Economy, Funding, Legislative

New legislation aims to improve risk management in agriculture and supporters say it goes beyond the farm. Senator John Hoeven, a senior member of the Senate Agriculture Committee and Ranking Member of the Senate Agriculture Appropriations Committee, this week introduced the Federal Agriculture Risk Management Enhancement and Resilience (FARMER) Act. Hoeven says the legislation will strengthen crop insurance and make …

APHIS Supports Projects to Control and Prevent Chronic Wasting Disease

Dan Agri-Business, Environment, USDA-APHIS

USDA’s Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service (APHIS) this week announced the availability of more than $12 million to control and prevent Chronic Wasting Disease (CWD) in wild and farmed deer and elk. CWD is an infectious, degenerative disease of cervids that causes brain cells to die, ultimately leading to the death of the affected animal. The incubation period can …

Farmers.gov Local Dashboard Now Available for Producers

Dan Agri-Business, USDA

Farmers can now access county specific farming data and USDA resources all in one place via the new farmers.gov local dashboard. Your farmers.gov local dashboard includes farming data and USDA resources including USDA news, commodity pricing, weather forecasts, historical climate data, past storm events, USDA service center locator and additional state resources for STATE and your county The dashboard transforms complex data sets into …

Political Aspects of Climate Change Affecting Farmers

Dan Agri-Business, Climate Change, Legislative, This Land of Ours

The politics of climate change and how its affecting farmers. That’s coming up on This Land of Ours. Researcher Dr. Margiana Petersen-Rockney says the topic of climate change is highly politicized in the United States, while it’s not political in other nations. And, she says the political aspect of the topic can cause difficulties for farmers. Sponsored ContentFlorida Cattle Industry …

U.S. Trade Gap Hits $68 Billion

Dan Agri-Business, Exports/Imports, Trade

In February, America’s trade deficit reached $68.9 billion, the highest disparity in almost a year. The Hill says import values exceeded exports by more than analysts were expecting. The total value of imports hit $331.9 billion, while exports were $263 billion, and the overall deficit rose 1.9 percent during the month. Republicans on Capitol Hill have expressed frustration with what …

USDA Seeks Nominees for Mushroom Council

Dan Agri-Business, Legislative, Specialty Crops, This Land of Ours

Want to joint the national Mushroom Council. Now’s your chance. That’s coming up on This Land of Ours. The USDA wants nominations for the Mushroom Council to fill three seats with terms expiring on December 31, 2027, and one seat whose term will expire on December 31, 2025. Nominees may seek nomination to the council for all the open seats …