market

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 …

conditional license

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 …

dairy

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 …

stamp out

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

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 …

usda

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 ContentVerdant Robotics Offers Growers Targeted Application of Herbicides or Beneficials through SharpShooter™June 16, 2026Florida Cattle Enhancement Board Provides Resources To Researchers For Applied ResearchJune 12, 2026Florida Cattle Enhancement Board Encourages Research into Producers QuestionsJune 5, 2026Cattle Producers …

medicine

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 ContentVerdant Robotics Offers Growers Targeted Application of Herbicides or Beneficials through SharpShooter™June 16, 2026Florida Cattle Enhancement Board Provides Resources To Researchers For Applied ResearchJune 12, 2026Florida Cattle Enhancement Board Encourages Research into Producers QuestionsJune …

asi

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 …

commodities

How Agricultural Commodities Performed in 2024

With 2024 in the rear-view mirror, Mark Oppold looks back at how certain agricultural commodities actually performed for the year. Sponsored ContentVerdant Robotics Offers Growers Targeted Application of Herbicides or Beneficials through SharpShooter™June 16, 2026Florida Cattle Enhancement Board Provides Resources To Researchers For Applied ResearchJune 12, 2026Florida Cattle Enhancement Board Encourages Research into Producers QuestionsJune 5, 2026Cattle Producers Proud of …

bracing

Bracing for a Potential Work Stoppage at Ports

As we kick off the New Year, many are bracing for a potential work stoppage at various ports around the country. Rusty Halvorson has the story. U.S. agriculture is bracing for a potential work stoppage at East and Gulf Coast ports that could greatly disrupt U.S. exports. Contract negotiations between the International Longshoremen’s Association and the U.S. Maritime Alliance broke …