American Agriculture History Minute

American Agriculture History Minute: Best Remembered for Producing Louisiana’s First Granular Sugar

Dan American Agriculture History Minute, Specialty Crops, Sugar, This Land of Ours

I’m Mark Oppold with an American Agriculture History Minute. Etienne DeBorre is a little-known figure in American agriculture. Born in 1741 in a small village along the Mississippi River in Illinois. Etienne spent most of his life in Louisiana, and it was there that he’s best remembered for producing Louisiana’s first granulated sugar. His innovation encouraged producers there to plant …

Pecan

USDA to Issue First Pecan Forecast for 2024

Dan Specialty Crops, USDA-NASS

During the week of September 23rd, pecan growers will receive a survey from the USDA National Agricultural Statistics Service (NASS). Information from this survey will be used to forecast pecan production for 2024.  “The pecan industry is an important part of U.S. agriculture, especially in Georgia and it is crucial for us to have accurate data about this key sector of the …

August

August a Tough Month for Agricultural Futures

Dan Commodities, Corn, Economy, Field Crops, Pork, Specialty Crops, Wheat

August was a tough month for man of the agricultural futures. Mark Oppold looks at how some of the commodities have performed so far this year. Sponsored ContentFlorida Cattle Enhancement Board Plays Major Role In Applied Beef Cattle ResearchOctober 17, 2025FCEB Recurring Funding Provides Opportunity for Longer Term Research ProjectsOctober 10, 2025Florida Cattle Enhancement Board Advances Forage ResearchOctober 3, 2025

peach

A Mixed Bag of Fall Fruit Production

Dan Fruits, Specialty Crops

What does USDA’s forecasts for this year’s grape, peach, and pear crops indicate regarding production? Rod Bain has a story looking at what each crop, at this point, has in store for us this year. Sponsored ContentFlorida Cattle Enhancement Board Plays Major Role In Applied Beef Cattle ResearchOctober 17, 2025FCEB Recurring Funding Provides Opportunity for Longer Term Research ProjectsOctober 10, …

interest

Sorghum Interest is Growing

Dan Specialty Crops, Sugar

Believe it or not, but interest in sorghum is growing, as the cereal grain holds a lot of potential.  “We see sorghum as so much more than just another crop,” says Nate Blum, CEO of Sorghum United, dedicated to advancing sorghum cultivation globally.  The rising interest in sorghum is being driven largely by its suitability to hotter, drier growing conditions, …

specialty crops

USDA Announces Grant Funding to Strengthen U.S. Specialty Crops Industry

Dan Agri-Business, Economy, Fruits, Funding, Pecans, Specialty Crops, USDA, Vegetables

Late last week, the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) announced it is awarding $82.3 million to 65 recipients to enhance the competitiveness of specialty crops and support the industry’s producers. This includes fruits, vegetables, tree nuts, and nursery crops. The funding is through USDA’s Specialty Crop Block Grant Program (SCBGP) and the Specialty Crop Multi-State Grant Program (SCMP). Jenny Moffitt, Under Secretary for Marketing and Regulatory …

harvest

Harvest Expectations for Apples and Cranberries

Dan Fruits, Specialty Crops, This Land of Ours

How is harvest looking for two fall favorites? That’s coming up on This Land of Ours. Does this year’s harvest indicate plenty of fruit from two fall-time favorites … apples and cranberries?  Rod Bain looks into it. Sponsored ContentFlorida Cattle Enhancement Board Plays Major Role In Applied Beef Cattle ResearchOctober 17, 2025FCEB Recurring Funding Provides Opportunity for Longer Term Research …

Expo

Citrus and Specialty Crop Expo Kicks Off Today

Dan Citrus, Citrus Expo News, Specialty Crops, Vegetables

The 2024 Citrus & Specialty Crop Expo kicks off today, August 21st, at the Florida State Fairgrounds in Tampa.  The two-day event, hosted by AgNet Media, provides vital information for both the citrus and specialty crop industries, while also allowing attendees to interact with tradeshow vendors that will be in attendance.  The Expo’s trade show will include a large variety of exhibitors …

Expo

Citrus and Specialty Crop Expo Starts Wednesday

Dan Citrus, Citrus Expo News, Specialty Crops

The 2024 Citrus & Specialty Crop Expo kicks off this Wednesday, August 21st at the Florida State Fairgrounds in Tampa.  This is the second year for the Expo at this location, as many in the industry were pleased with how the overall event went last year. This includes the University of Florida Institute of Food and Agricultural Sciences (UF/IFAS), as their citrus extension booth was …

hurricane debby

USDA Assists Farmers, Ranchers, and Communities Affected by Hurricane Debby

Dan Agri-Business, Aquaculture, Beef, Cattle, Citrus, Corn, Cotton, Crop Insurance, Dairy, Economy, Equine, Field Crops, Florida, Forestry, Fruits, Funding, Georgia, Hemp, Herbs, Livestock, Peanuts, Pecans, Soybeans, Specialty Crops, Sugar, USDA, USDA-FSA, Vegetables, Wheat

(USDA/WASHINGTON, August 7, 2024) — Agriculture Secretary Tom Vilsack has directed the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) to aid recovery efforts for farmers, ranchers and residents affected by Hurricane Debby, which continues its track up the East Coast. USDA staff in offices across the country are ready to respond with a variety of program flexibilities and other assistance to producers and …