A new report from CoBank says rapidly worsening expectations about everything from inflation to personal income to business conditions and labor supplies are elevating economic concerns. The question of whether the declining expectations will translate into slower spending and tightening profit margins will likely come into view by late June. Uncertainty over trade and biofuel policy pulled corn, soybean, and …
The Jelly Bean Prayer
With today being Good Friday, the markets are closed. So, Mark Oppold takes time to bring us his annual Jelly Bean Prayer. Sponsored ContentWhat Sets Provysol® Fungicide ApartJuly 8, 2025CIR Agriculture Harvester ProductsJuly 1, 2025Nuseed Carinata Covers New GroundOctober 1, 2024
AVMA Echoes Calls for Getting More Veterinarians into High-Need Areas
After working with congressional offices and other stakeholders, the American Veterinary Medical Association’s (AVMA) advocacy work led to the recent reintroduction of the Rural Veterinary Workforce Act in the House and Senate. The bipartisan legislation would help recruit and retain veterinarians in underserved and rural areas. The AVMA strongly endorses the bill, which would expand the reach and maximize the …
USDA Providing Disaster Assistance to Farmers
When it comes to disaster assistance for farmers, the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) has been working to get these payments out to producers. Tyron Spearman has the latest. Sponsored ContentWhat Sets Provysol® Fungicide ApartJuly 8, 2025CIR Agriculture Harvester ProductsJuly 1, 2025Nuseed Carinata Covers New GroundOctober 1, 2024
Meat and Poultry Special Investigator Act Reintroduced in Senate
Last week, bipartisan legislation was reintroduced in the U.S. Senate to address anticompetitive markets and vertical consolidation in the meatpacking industry. The “Meat and Poultry Special Investigator Act of 2025” would create the “Office of the Special Investigator for Competition Matters” within the Packers & Stockyards Division at USDA. The Office of the Special Investigator would hold legal powers to …
American Agriculture History Minute: Farmland Auctions
I’m Mark Oppold with an American Agriculture History Minute. A farmland auction usually draws a good-sized crowd, but on a bitter, cold February morning in 2025, temperatures outside in central Iowa nearly zero, a group so large it was standing room only. Why? They were watching an Iowa farm change hands for the first time since 1882. Six-hundred-thirty-six (636) acres …
American Agriculture History Minute: Farmland Values
I’m Mark Oppold with an American Agriculture History Minute. Farmland values have always been part of American agriculture history. Recent stories indicate that farmland values in some areas of the country are leveling off or even declining. But, in real estate, it’s all about location, location, location. Such was the case for this farm in October 2024, 90 acres, 20 …
Poultry Markets Strong but Face Headwinds
Improved economic conditions in many regions, together with ongoing high prices for other proteins, make poultry an attractive option for worldwide consumers. Rabobank says global consumption growth is predicted to reach 2.5 to three percent this year. This marks the second year of above-average market growth, which led to significant improvements in margin performance. However, dealing with avian influenza remains …
Peanut Industry Fighting Federal Cuts
The peanut industry has been fighting the recent federal program cuts. As Tyron Spearman reports, efforts continue to provide ready to eat therapeutic foods. Sponsored ContentWhat Sets Provysol® Fungicide ApartJuly 8, 2025CIR Agriculture Harvester ProductsJuly 1, 2025Nuseed Carinata Covers New GroundOctober 1, 2024
Be Patient with Starting Field Work
While it’s the time of the year many want to get in the field, Mark Oppold notes patience is needed due to the wet conditions many are seeing from the spring storms. Sponsored ContentWhat Sets Provysol® Fungicide ApartJuly 8, 2025CIR Agriculture Harvester ProductsJuly 1, 2025Nuseed Carinata Covers New GroundOctober 1, 2024