popcorn

Popcorn’s Remarkable Journey Through American Agricultural History

Popcorn is more than just a favorite movie snack — it is a crop deeply rooted in agricultural history, innovation, and American resilience. From its ancient beginnings in Central America to becoming an affordable staple during the Great Depression, popcorn has played an important role in both farming and food culture across generations. According to agricultural historian Mark Oppold, popcorn’s …

August crop report

Optimism in Corn Futures

Bottom Line grain analysts suggest keeping an eye on corn futures, a rally back above $5 from just two weeks ago. December corn reached a 52-week high, $5.06 and a half on May 13th, and quickly backed off toward the $4.80 level, good planning progress, favorable weather in most major areas, and continued uncertainty on any resolution with Iran. Bottom Line analysts say those …

corn

Crop Planting Progress Report for Corn and Soybeans Released by USDA

As growers continue to plant this year’s crops, USDA has released the Crop Planting Progress Report across the country. USDA Meteorologist Brad Rippey provided the update starting with corn. “Looking at our 18 production states listed in the USDA NAS table, we saw progress greater than 20% planted during the week in six of those states, led by North Dakota, a …

exports

A Look at US Ag Exports

The U.S. is highly competitive in agricultural production and the largest agricultural exporter in the world. In 2024, exports were estimated to total $181 billion. Given that the world population is expected to reach nearly $10 billion by 2050, the U.S. is well-positioned to be the source of agricultural products to feed a growing population. Moreover, global gross domestic product is expected to grow …

corn planting

USDA Provides Update on Corn Planting Progress

Drought conditions have impacted the progress of planting across the southeast. Brad Rippey USDA Meteorologist provided an update on the progress of corn planting across the country. “With that variable weather in the Midwest, rain followed by cool weather, we did see some progress slowing down. For example, Illinois only planting 9% of the corn during the week, so that overall progress …

planting

Crop Planting Progress

Weekly planting updates, no surprise showing soybean planting nationwide at a record pace corn planting as expected making good progress. Last week as well up nearly 15% in one week, but we’re keeping an eye on that northern belt weather north of I-90.  As spring wheat planting the slowest in three years. We see sorghum planting in that area the slowest in four …

August crop report

USDA Announces Expanded Partnership with EXIM Bank

The U.S. Department of Agriculture has announced an expanded partnership with the Export-Import Bank of the United States (EXIM). This partnership is expected to increase domestic ag production and exports, while reducing the ag trade deficit.  In addition to this partnership, USDA also announced the launch of the Financial Assurance to Revitalize Markets Initiative, an effort to strengthen and modernize …

hybrid corn

Garst & Hybrid Corn: From Iowa to the Cold War

The Birth of a Seed Revolution In 1931, Roswell Garst and Charlie Thomas founded the Garst and Thomas Hybrid Corn Company in Coon Rapids. Their work came at a time when American agriculture was rapidly evolving, and innovation was essential for improving crop production. The company became a major force in promoting hybrid corn—an agricultural breakthrough that offered higher yields, …

corn

USDA Provides Updated Progress of Corn and Soybean Planting

While drought conditions are keeping some growers out of the fields, growers in other parts of the country have made progress on this year’s planting. USDA Meteorologist Brad Rippey provides an update on corn planting so far this season.  â€śGetting into the state numbers, Tennessee is showing some remarkable progress again this week. 64 percent of the corn acreage planted, …

popcorn

Popcorn Through the Ages: From Ancient Origins to American Staple

Popcorn’s story stretches back thousands of years, with origins dating over 9,000 years to what is now Central America. Archaeological evidence shows that early civilizations cultivated maize and discovered that certain kernels would expand and “pop” when exposed to heat. This natural phenomenon made popcorn one of the earliest snack foods in human history, enjoyed long before modern agriculture took …