hogs

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, …

government shutdown

Congress Working on Year-End Funding Bills

It’s a busy time in Washington D.C. as Congress is trying to finish up a variety of things before the session ends for the year. And as Tyron Spearman reports, this includes funding bills.  Sponsored ContentFlorida Cattle Enhancement Board Provides Production ResearchMay 8, 2026Florida Cattle Enhancement Board Provides Opportunities to Develop Preliminary Data For Future Grant ProjectsMay 1, 2026Florida Cattle …

American Agriculture History

American Agriculture History Minute: Early Settlers Arrive in What’s Now Colorado

I’m Mark Oppold with an American Agriculture History Minute. When early settlers arrived in what is now the state of Colorado, they found Native Americans growing what is called the three sisters, corn, soybeans, and squash. The Arkansas River marked the boundary between Mexican and U. S. territories at the time, and Spanish-speaking immigrants settled along the southern routes and …

economic assistance

Agreement Reached with Economic Assistance for Farmers

Many in agriculture were disappointed with the recent breakdown of congressional discussions on the inclusion of economic assistance for farmers in upcoming appropriations legislation. But that all changed late Tuesday as Congressional leadership finally were able to agree on including emergency economic assistance for farmers. Tyron Spearman has more details. Read more on this here. Sponsored ContentFlorida Cattle Enhancement Board Provides Production …

Congress Advances Farm Bill Extension and Aid Package

Congress is working to finalize a year-end government funding package that includes a one-year extension of the farm bill and billions of dollars in economic and disaster assistance. This bipartisan move aims to address challenges in the declining farm economy and support agricultural communities recovering from recent natural disasters. The proposed package, titled the Further Continuing Appropriations and Disaster Relief …

Supreme Court

Almost All U.S. Farms are Family-Owned

The USDA Economic Research Service (ERS) 2024 edition of America’s Farms and Ranches at a Glance says most U.S. farms (86 percent) are small family farms. These farms operate on 41 percent of U.S. agricultural land and account for 17 percent of the total value of American production. Large-scale family farms accounted for 48 percent of the total value of production and 31 percent …

Farm Bill

Disappointment with Lack of Economic Assistance for Farmers

Many in agriculture are disappointed after the recent breakdown of congressional discussions on the inclusion of economic assistance for farmers in upcoming appropriations legislation. Tyron Spearman reports this includes the United States Peanut Federation. Sponsored ContentFlorida Cattle Enhancement Board Provides Production ResearchMay 8, 2026Florida Cattle Enhancement Board Provides Opportunities to Develop Preliminary Data For Future Grant ProjectsMay 1, 2026Florida Cattle Enhancement Board Provides …

private

USDA Awards Grants to Support Private Forestland Management

The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) recently announced awards of nearly $335 million to help strengthen financial incentives for private forest landowners to manage their forests sustainably and to permanently conserve private forests in partnership with states. Of the total funding, nearly $210 million was awarded as competitive grants to state agencies, for-profit entities and a broad array of non-profit organizations. These …

Farm Economy

Commodity Groups Advocate for Economic Assistance Amid Farm Bill Delays

Farmers across the United States are facing growing financial pressures, and commodity groups are stepping up their calls for economic assistance as Congress continues to deliberate on a new farm bill. Organizations representing a wide array of crops and livestock have expressed concern over declining farm incomes, rising production costs, and the uncertainty stemming from the expiration of the previous …