August Crop Report Will Reflect Real Field Data, Not Just Models The upcoming August 12th USDA Crop Report is expected to carry significantly more weight than the July update, especially within the grain trade. According to agricultural broadcaster Mark Oppold, this report will be the first of the season to rely on actual in-field surveys rather than computer-generated models. Starting …
USDA/NASS: Corn, Peanut Acreage Up; Cotton, Soybeans Down
USDA/NASS Releases 2025 Crop Acreage Estimates The USDA’s National Agricultural Statistics Service (USDA/NASS) has released its latest estimates for the 2025 planted crop acreage. While farmers have until July 15 to report their final figures to the Farm Service Agency (FSA), current projections provide a clear picture of national planting trends. Peanuts Acreage Up 5.2% Peanut growers nationwide have expanded …
Tariffs, Weather, and Yield: What’s Driving Corn Futures This Month
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 …
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 …
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 …
Livestock Groups React to Passage of One Big Beautiful Bill
With the Senate’s passage of the One Big Beautiful Bill on July 1st, livestock groups are reacting to the news. Ethan Lane, Senior Vice President of Government Affairs with the National Cattlemen’s Beef Association said, “The Senate version of the One Big Beautiful Bill protects family farmers and ranchers across the country from a massive tax hike at the end …
Soybean Oil Surges, Grains Slip in 2025
Mid-Year Review Shows Soybean Oil Leading Ag Markets With the first half of 2025 complete, market data reveals a clear leader in the agricultural commodities space: soybean oil, up an impressive 26% year-to-date. It’s the top agricultural performer among 48 tracked commodities, and second overall only to platinum, which has surged more than 50% so far this year. Trailing closely …
Lean Hog Market Climbs as Quarterly Report Shows Supply Tightening
The latest quarterly Hog and Pig Report delivered fresh insights for the grain and livestock markets, confirming a trend that’s been building since spring. Lean hog futures have continued their upward momentum, with July contracts hitting new highs and August trading near peak levels at $113.37 before a recent modest pullback. Even with the slight retreat early this week, managed …
Hog and Pig Inventory Increasing Supported by Cattle Prices
As JFK said in speech in 1963, “A rising tide lifts all boats,” that may be a sign of what we’re seeing playing out in meat industry. The USDA is highlighting the price increases that the meat industry is experiencing. USDA livestock analyst Michael McConnell shares details on the increase in hog and pig inventory, somewhat due to the price …
Secretary of Agriculture Provides Update: Egg Prices, USDA Bird Flu Strategy
Secretary Rollins Reports on Egg Price Relief, Biosecurity Strategy U.S. Secretary of Agriculture Brooke Rollins recently announced a major milestone in the fight against highly pathogenic avian influenza (HPAI), coupled with encouraging news for American consumers. Speaking last week, Secretary Rollins confirmed that egg prices have dropped by 64%, with retail costs down 27% from their peak earlier this year. …