USDA Releases Farmer Bridge Assistance Program Payment Rates The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) has officially released the long-awaited payment rates for the Farmer Bridge Assistance (FBA) Program, providing clarity and certainty for producers planning for the 2026 growing season. Announced late last year, the FBA Program delivers $12 billion in total assistance, with $11 billion allocated to row crop …
The History of Corn Harvesting in American Agriculture: From Hand-Husked Fields to Mechanization
Hand-Harvesting Corn – A Labor-Intensive Tradition Corn has long been a cornerstone of American agriculture, but harvesting it in the early 20th century was a labor-intensive challenge. Before tractors and combines became common, farmers relied on hand labor. Worker’s hand-husked each ear of corn and loaded them into high-sided wagons, meticulously picking the fields clean. This demanding work required skill, …
BASF Offers Advice to Mitigate Weeds in 2026
BASF Shares Weed Management Advice for Growers Heading Into 2026 Weeds remain a constant and costly challenge for growers across the Southeast, and as planning begins for the 2026 growing season, BASF is offering practical guidance to help producers stay ahead of resistance and protect yields. We caught up with Josh Putman, Technical Marketing Manager with BASF, to discuss effective …
Corn Shelling Bees: How Community and Early Technology Shaped American Agriculture
Corn’s Foundational Role in American Agriculture Corn has always played a central role in American agriculture, serving as a vital crop for both human consumption and livestock feed. From early settlement through the 19th century, corn production shaped farm economies and rural livelihoods across the country. However, while growing corn was essential, processing it—particularly removing kernels from the cob—proved to …
Corn Shelling Bees: How Early Americans Processed Corn by Hand
Corn Shelling Bees: A Cornerstone of Early American Agriculture Corn has played a vital role in American agriculture since the nation’s earliest days. Long before modern machinery transformed farming, corn was processed entirely by hand, making it one of the most labor-intensive crops on early American farms. This simple grain supported not only families and livestock, but entire rural communities. …
Corn Trade Potential
Soybean Trade Update: Holiday Slowdown Continues as Corn Finds Support in Ethanol Demand We have updated the soybean trade, and daily trade volume continues to move at a very slow pace. With Christmas coming tomorrow and the New Year’s holiday arriving just a week later, many market participants have already stepped to the sidelines. Seasonal factors are clearly at play, …
National Corn Husking Association: Preserving the Tradition of Hand-Harvested Corn
A Tradition Born from Necessity From the 1920s to the 1940s, harvesting corn by hand was more than a skill—it was essential for farmers across the United States. Before modern machinery, families relied on hand-harvesting techniques to gather one of the nation’s most important crops. This labor-intensive process required not only endurance and speed but also precision, making corn husking …
Corn Trade Update
Corn Market Holds Steady as Ethanol Demand Signals Upside Potential The corn trade has remained relatively lackluster in recent weeks, moving within a defined trading range and lacking a strong directional push. However, underlying fundamentals suggest the market may have the potential to work higher, particularly if demand trends continue to strengthen. One of the most supportive factors for corn …
Baseline Production Figures Released Early
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 …
Fed Rate Cut Expected
Markets Focus on Federal Reserve as USDA Monthly Crop Report Takes Backseat Yesterday’s USDA monthly crop report (WASDE Report) entered a market environment already dominated by two major developments: the administration’s $12 billion farm aid package and expectations of another Federal Reserve rate cut. With financial markets laser-focused on interest rate movements, both Chicago grain traders and Wall Street placed …









