With markets closed today, Mark Oppold takes time to look at where certain agricultural commodities currently stand so far this year. Sponsored ContentFlorida Cattle Enhancement Board provides support for cattle producers regardless of herd sizeNovember 28, 2025Florida Cattle Enhancement Board Expands the promotion and educational work of the Florida Beef CouncilNovember 21, 2025Florida Senator Shares Origins of Florida Cattle Enhancement …
Finalizing New Rule for Poultry Companies
The final few days for the current administration includes USDA finalizing a new rule for poultry companies. Rusty Halvorson has the story. USDA and the Biden administration are closing the final days of the administration by finalizing a new rule restricting how poultry companies score and penalize contract growers under the tournament system. It’s the third regulation offered by the …
Limited Supply and Strong Demand in Farmland Market
The Farmers National Company says there are more motivated land buyers in today’s market than there are willing sellers. Land values have remained quite stable in the Midwest despite the pressure from lower net farm income, declining commodity markets, higher interest rates, and increased input costs. “There are many factors for buyer motivation, but much of it can be explained …
U.S. to Rebuild Bird Flu Vaccine Stockpile
The USDA will begin rebuilding its bird flu vaccine stockpile to make it match the current strain of the virus running through commercial flocks and wild birds. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention says the outbreak started in 2022 and has killed over 130 million birds, affecting commercial, backyard, and wild birds in all 50 states. In a press …
Livestock Producers Reminded to Apply for Disaster Assistance
The USDA Farm Service Agency (FSA) reminds producers, including dairy producers impacted by H5N1, that the deadline to apply for financial assistance through the Emergency Assistance for Livestock, Honeybees and Farm-raised Fish Program (ELAP) is Jan. 30, 2025, for losses due to specific adverse conditions that occurred in 2024. ELAP provides emergency relief to eligible producers of livestock, honeybees, and farm-raised fish to assist …
Efforts Continue to Stamp Out H5N1
New funding is being made available to help in the efforts to stamp out H5N1. Rusty Halvorson has more details. The Biden administration recently announced it would award $306 million more to address avian influenza cases in humans, especially livestock workers. The New York Times noted the timing of the funding reflects concerns among senior health officials that the incoming Trump …
American Agriculture History Minute: Hay Press Invented
I’m Mark Oppold with an American Agriculture History Minute. The baling of hay began with the invention of the first hay press in about 1850. Hay was baled then for easier handling, reducing space for storage and for shipment. The first bales weighed around 300 pounds because the original machines were vertical in nature. They used a horse-drawn screw press …
APHIS Announces New Health Plan for U.S. Hog Industry
USDA’s Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service (APHIS) recently announced a new health plan for the U.S. hog industry. Rusty Halvorson has more details. Sponsored ContentFlorida Cattle Enhancement Board provides support for cattle producers regardless of herd sizeNovember 28, 2025Florida Cattle Enhancement Board Expands the promotion and educational work of the Florida Beef CouncilNovember 21, 2025Florida Senator Shares Origins of Florida Cattle …
A Team Effort by Medicine and Agriculture
Thanks to research over the years, Mark Oppold notes how a team effort by medicine and agriculture helped one woman overcome a serious medical issue. Sponsored ContentFlorida Cattle Enhancement Board provides support for cattle producers regardless of herd sizeNovember 28, 2025Florida Cattle Enhancement Board Expands the promotion and educational work of the Florida Beef CouncilNovember 21, 2025Florida Senator Shares Origins …
Red Meat Production Down Three Percent in November
USDA says red meat production fell year over year in November as cattle and hog slaughter both declined. Commercial meat output totaled 4.56 billion pounds in November, down three percent from November 2023. Beef production dropped three percent on an annual basis to 2.22 billion pounds. Cattle slaughter fell six percent to 2.57 million head last month. USDA said the …










