USDA Investment in Rural Electric Infrastructure

Dan Agri-Business, Energy, Funding, This Land of Ours

Putting billions into rural electric infrastructure. That’s coming up on This Land of Ours. The USDA is investing $2.7 billion to help 64 electric cooperatives and utilities expand and modernize the nation’s rural electric grid and increase grid security. The announcement came from Agriculture Secretary Tom Vilsack Monday. He said the investments will benefit rural people and businesses in many ways for …

More Interest Rate Hikes Expected

Dan Agri-Business, Economy, Energy

After the fed increased interest rates again, more hikes are expected into next year. Mark Oppold looks at that, and where some energy markets stand at this time. Sponsored ContentCIR Agriculture Harvester ProductsMarch 1, 2025Nuseed Carinata Covers New GroundOctober 1, 2024TriEst Ag Group: Partners in ProfitabilityApril 1, 2024

Keeping an Eye on the Energy Markets

Dan Energy

Many are watching the energy markets this week, as various news of interest is coming from that sector. Mark Oppold has more details. Sponsored ContentCIR Agriculture Harvester ProductsMarch 1, 2025Nuseed Carinata Covers New GroundOctober 1, 2024TriEst Ag Group: Partners in ProfitabilityApril 1, 2024

EIA Expects Continued High Energy Prices Through 2023

Dan Energy

The U.S. Energy Information Administration (EIA) forecasts that a variety of U.S. energy prices will remain historically high through 2023. The outlook includes oil, natural gas, coal, and electricity, as seen in EIA’s June 2022 Short-Term Energy Outlook. EIA Administrator Joe DeCarolis says, “Although we expect the current upward pressure on energy prices to lessen, high energy prices will likely remain prevalent in …

Gas Prices Rising Over Russia-Ukraine Conflict, Renewables an Obvious Answer

Dan Biofuels/Energy, Corn, Energy, Soybeans

Gas prices just hit an eight-year record as the Russia-Ukraine conflict agitates energy markets, but the biofuels industry argues renewables from corn and soybeans remain a viable solution. U.S. sanctions and the Russian oil and natural gas export limits are all fueling higher gas prices up 20-cents in a month, 88-cents from a year ago. Here is President Joe Biden. …

Study Combines Sheep Grazing and Solar Energy Production

Dan Energy, Sheep-Goats

A recent study published in Frontiers in Sustainable Food Systems details the effects of combining solar panels and lamb grazing on overall land productivity. New research carried out by Oregon State University scientists in 2019 and 2020 is believed to be the first study of its kind. The team compared the differences between lamb growth in traditional open pastures, with that of …

Application Deadline for REAP Program Nearing

Dan Energy

The application deadline for the Rural Energy for America Program (REAP) is quickly approaching on March 31, 2021. The REAP program is designed to help rural businesses and farmers to purchase or install renewable energy systems or make energy efficiency improvements. Funds from REAP may be used for the purchase, installation, and construction of renewable energy systems, such as a …

Ag Groups Congratulate Vilsack on Confirmation as Agriculture Secretary

Dan Biofuels/Energy, Energy, General, Wheat

Farm Bureau Congratulates Tom Vilsack on Confirmation (AFBF) — American Farm Bureau Federation President Zippy Duvall commented on the confirmation of Tom Vilsack as Secretary of Agriculture. “AFBF congratulates Tom Vilsack on his confirmation as the next Secretary of Agriculture. His strong track record of leadership and previous experience at USDA will serve rural America well. “Secretary Vilsack and I have …