Trump Responds to China’s Mineral Export Curbs With Tariff Threats Tensions between the U.S. and China are escalating once again, this time over critical mineral exports. The Chinese government announced it would curb critical mineral exports to countries like the United States, sparking an immediate and forceful response from the White House. “President Donald Trump threatened to up the ante …
Ethnic Roots of American Agriculture: How Immigrants Shaped U.S. Farming
The Immigrant Influence on American Agriculture I’m Mark Oppold with an American Agriculture History Minute. Ethnic groups played a vital role in shaping early American agriculture. Immigrants brought unique farming practices, tools, and traditions that differed widely from one group to another. For example, German settlers introduced crop rotation methods and livestock management techniques distinct from English, Scottish, or Irish …
Sunbelt Ag Expo Highlights
Sunbelt Agricultural Expo 2025 Is This Week in Moultrie, GA The Sunbelt Agricultural Expo 2025 is happening this week, Tuesday through Thursday, at Spence Field in Moultrie, Georgia. This is the South’s premier farm show, and “you don’t want to miss it.” More than 700 exhibitors will be on hand to display and demonstrate the latest in agricultural products and …
Low Water Levels Impact Barge Traffic
Low Water Levels Disrupt Midwest Barge Traffic Again During Harvest 2025 Low water levels on major rivers back in the Midwest will disrupt barge traffic during harvest time for the fourth year in a row. The Missouri, Illinois, Ohio, and Mississippi rivers, among others, have all dropped below the low gauge level again, making grain transport by barge more difficult …
Cattlemen’s Beef Board Beef Promotion Operating Committee Approves FY 2026 Projects
Beef Checkoff Approves $38.1 Million in FY2026 Programs The Cattlemen’s Beef Board Beef Promotion Operating Committee has approved $38.1 million in programs during fiscal year 2026. These investments are pending USDA approval and are designed to advance key areas including beef promotion, research, industry information, producer communications, foreign marketing, and consumer information. The Beef Promotion Operating Committee—made up of 10 …
Educational Demonstrations Available At Sunbelt Ag Expo
Live Hay Demonstrations Take Center Stage at Sunbelt Ag Expo 2025 The Sunbelt Ag Expo kicks off this week in Moultrie, Georgia, and attendees will have the unique opportunity to participate in a wide range of educational field demonstrations — especially in the hay fields. We caught up with Dr. Lisa Baxter, who shared exciting updates about this year’s hay …
The Roots of 4-H: Jessie Shambaugh and the Birth of American Agricultural Youth
Honoring Jessie Shambaugh: The Mother of 4-H In the early 1900s, American agriculture was rapidly evolving—and so were the communities that depended on it. At the heart of that progress stood Jessie Shambaugh, a dedicated farm wife whose passion for education and community development helped shape one of the most influential youth organizations in U.S. history: 4-H. Shambaugh was deeply …
Ag Groups Highlight Economic Challenges, Farm Bill Needs And Market Expansion In Letter To Trump
Ag Coalition Urges President Trump to Support Farmers Through Full Farm Bill and Market Expansion A broad coalition of agriculture groups has united to send a powerful message to President Trump, expressing urgent economic concerns and requesting additional support for American farmers. In a letter delivered last week, the coalition acknowledged the positive steps of the One Big Beautiful Bill …
Sunbelt Ag Expo Preview
Sunbelt Agricultural Exposition 2025: Premier Farm Show Returns October 14–16 The Sunbelt Agricultural Exposition—North America’s premier farm show—returns for its 45th annual show next week, October the 14th through the 16th. Located in Moultrie, Georgia, the event draws thousands of visitors from across the Southeast and beyond to see the latest innovations shaping the agricultural industry. Over 700 exhibitors will …
How Railroads Transformed American Agriculture
The Iron Tracks That Changed Rural America I’m Mark Oppold with an American Agriculture History Minute. Railroads dramatically changed the face of agriculture and rural America as the nation expanded westward. The idea of a “rail highway” was first envisioned by Colonel John Stevens in 1812, marking the beginning of a transportation revolution that would reshape how goods—and people—moved across …










