Below you'll find a list of all posts that have been categorized as “Economy”
USDA Releases 2026 Baseline Acreage Estimates Earlier Than Usual In a rare move, the U.S. Department of Agriculture released its baseline acreage figures for the 2026 crop year ahead of schedule this week. Typically, these projections are unveiled during the Ag Outlook Forum in February, but this year’s early release is raising eyebrows across the ag sector. Possible Government Shutdown …
USDA Announces $12 Billion in One-Time Bridge Payments for American Farmers President Donald Trump, joined by U.S. Secretary of Agriculture Brooke Rollins, U.S. Secretary of the Treasury Scott Bissett, Senate Agriculture Committee Chairman John Boozman, Senator Deb Fischer, Senator John Hoeven, and Representative Austin Scott, has announced a major new effort to assist American farmers still struggling from years of …
The earlier mentioned one-time bridge payments to American farmers are intended in part to aid farmers until investments from the One Big Beautiful Bill Act, which includes a 10 to 21 percent increase in reference prices, are set to reach eligible farmers on October 1, 2026. Farmers who qualify for the FBA Program can expect payments to be released by …
Southeast Drought Continues to Impact Cattle and Hay Production Despite Recent Rain Although some areas of the Southeast received rain over the weekend, drought conditions continue to challenge producers across much of the region. According to USDA meteorologist Brad Rippey, the latest U.S. Drought Monitor data from early December shows ongoing stress on both cattle and hay production, even as …
Farmers Set to Receive ARC and PLC Payments Under the One Big Beautiful Bill Farmers across the nation are preparing to receive much-needed support through federal farm programs following the passage of what many are calling the One Big Beautiful Bill. These new provisions are designed to provide financial relief to producers through updated payment estimates for both the Agriculture …
Expanding Access to Risk Protection Final Rule Modernizes Crop Insurance for 2026 The U.S. farm community is preparing for important changes after U.S. Secretary of Agriculture Brooke Rollins announced that updates are coming to federal crop insurance processes. The Expanding Access to Risk Protection Final Rule is designed to streamline requirements across multiple crops, improve program efficiency, and respond directly …
Rate Cut Odds Rise as Consumer Confidence Slips Ahead of the Federal Reserve’s Final 2025 Meeting The Federal Reserve Board’s final meeting of the year is just one week away, and expectations for another interest rate cut are gaining momentum. As the Fed returns to its rhythm of analyzing weekly and monthly economic reports, new data is shaping market sentiment—and …
The Farmer’s Share of Your Thanksgiving Meal: What the Numbers Really Show Every Thanksgiving, Americans gather around tables full of traditional favorites—turkey, potatoes, ham, and pumpkin pie. But while retail food prices often spark conversation, a recent report sheds light on a lesser-known part of the story: how much of that retail price actually makes its way back to the …
USDA Cotton Harvest Report Highlights Near-Average Progress for 2025 Season The U.S. Department of Agriculture has released the latest update on the 2025 cotton harvest, offering producers and analysts a clear picture of national and state-level progress. USDA meteorologist Brad Rippey provided new insights into how harvest numbers compare to both last year and historical averages. As Rippey summarizes, “A …
USDA Dairy Forecast Shows Rising Production and Lower Milk Prices Through 2026 The USDA has released its latest dairy forecast, offering important updates for producers, processors, and industry watchers. According to the report, “USDA has released the dairy forecast for price and production, and World Agricultural Outlook Board Chairman Mark Jackanowski provides more details on the report.” The new data …
