solar

Rollins Rescinds Solar Projects

Dan Biofuels/Energy, Energy

USDA Ends Solar Panel Subsidies on Farmland, Restricts Foreign-Made Panels Secretary of Agriculture Brooke Rollins announced this week that the USDA will no longer fund taxpayer dollars for solar panels on productive farmland or permit the use of solar panels manufactured by foreign adversaries in USDA-supported solar programs. This major policy shift is seen as a win for farmers who …

electrification

American Agriculture History Minute: Urban Electrification in the 1920s

Dan American Agriculture History Minute, Energy, This Land of Ours

Mark Oppold presents an American agriculture history minute, discussing the evolution of electrification in America during the early 1900s. He highlights how electric power transformed from a luxury to an essential utility in urban areas by the 1920s, with more than half of urban homes having electric lights and appliances. Mark then contrasts this urban development with rural conditions, noting …

rural

American Agriculture History Minute: Rural Electrification Impact

Dan American Agriculture History Minute, Energy, This Land of Ours

Mark Oppold presents an American Agriculture History Minute, highlighting the significant transformation in rural American life during the 1930s. Mark notes that before 1930, over 90% of rural homes relied on kerosene lamps for lighting, and basic amenities like running water and indoor bathrooms were impossible without electricity. Mark also describes the momentous occasion known as ‘zero-hour’ when electricity finally reached …

hurricane

Tracking Francine and Crop Report

Dan Commodities, Energy, Exports/Imports, Trade, Weather

Agricultural and energy traders are busy tracking the remnants of Hurricane Francine and also waiting on today’s crop report. Mark Oppold has more details. Sponsored ContentWhat Sets Provysol® Fungicide ApartJuly 8, 2025CIR Agriculture Harvester ProductsJuly 1, 2025Nuseed Carinata Covers New GroundOctober 1, 2024

cautious rebound

Waiting on Remarks from Fed Chairman

Dan Commodities, Economy, Energy

We mentioned yesterday the Fed chairman would be speaking this week. As Mark Oppold reports, Wall Street traders are waiting to hear what he has to say. Sponsored ContentWhat Sets Provysol® Fungicide ApartJuly 8, 2025CIR Agriculture Harvester ProductsJuly 1, 2025Nuseed Carinata Covers New GroundOctober 1, 2024

farm groups

Farm Groups Want Changes to SAF Tax

Dan Agri-Business, Biofuels/Energy, Economy, Energy

Top farm groups want improvements in the administration’s sustainable aviation or clean fuel tax credit, shortcomings they say could put the benefits “out of reach for many farmers.” The American Farm Bureau, the American Soybean Association, the National Corn Growers Association, and the National Farmers Union wrote to the Department of the Treasury and the White House budget office, OMB. …

downtrend

Downtrend Continues in the Energy Sector

Dan Economy, Energy

The downtrend continues this week in the energy sector. Mark Oppold updates the recommendations for farmers fuel needs. Sponsored ContentWhat Sets Provysol® Fungicide ApartJuly 8, 2025CIR Agriculture Harvester ProductsJuly 1, 2025Nuseed Carinata Covers New GroundOctober 1, 2024

Vilsack Announces Clean Power Projects

Dan Biofuels/Energy, Energy, This Land of Ours

New Investments in clean energy. That’s coming up on This Land of Ours. Agriculture Secretary Tom Vilsack Wednesday announced $2.3 billion in projects to expand clean power in rural communities. USDA is moving forward on clean energy investments in 23 states to reduce pollution and strengthen rural America’s power grid. The announcement includes the first five awards totaling $139 million …

Tracking the Energy Market

Dan Biofuels/Energy, Commodities, Economy, Energy

As we get closer to spring planting time, Mark Oppold takes a look at what is happening in the energy market. Sponsored ContentWhat Sets Provysol® Fungicide ApartJuly 8, 2025CIR Agriculture Harvester ProductsJuly 1, 2025Nuseed Carinata Covers New GroundOctober 1, 2024