Kildee’s Request for Farm Bill Sugar Policy

Dan Farm Bill, Legislative, Regulation, Specialty Crops, Sugar

If it’s not broken, don’t fix it. That’s the resounding message from Michigan Congressman Dan Kildee (D-MI-08) when it comes to the nation’s sugar policy. “We have a system right now that ensures that domestically grown sugar is sold into the markets before we allow for competition to come from offshore. This kind of protection allows American sugar growers to …

Ag Market Growth Ahead

Dan Agri-Business, Commodities, Economy, Nursery Crops, Organic, Specialty Crops, This Land of Ours

Taking a look at the projected growth for ag markets. That’s coming up on This Land of Ours. The Business Research Company’s latest look into the growth of agricultural markets shows big jumps ahead. The global agriculture market is projected to reach a substantial size of just over $19.8 billion by 2027, with a robust Compound Annual Growth Rate (CAGR) …

Nearly Half of Potatoes Now Go into Frozen Products

Dan Specialty Crops, USDA-ERS

New Data from USDA’s Economic Research Service (ERS) shows the majority of potatoes in the United States are now sold in processed forms such as frozen, chipped, dehydrated, or canned. With the introduction of french fries as a key side dish in quick-service restaurants, the share of potatoes that go into frozen products has risen in each decade since 1979. …

Grape Growers Have New Insurance Program against Natural Hazards

Dan Crop Insurance, Economy, Fruits, Specialty Crops

The USDA is expanding crop insurance options with a new grapevine insurance program. It will provide coverage for the loss of grafted vines caused by natural perils like frost or fire. The new program will also complement the grape crop insurance program that covers the fruit growing on the vine. “We strive to offer the strongest risk management resources for …

California Continues to Lead U.S. Peach Harvest

Dan Fruits, Specialty Crops, This Land of Ours, USDA-ERS

What state is the leader in peach production? The answer may surprise you. That’s coming up on This Land of Ours. While Georgia is on many consumers’ minds when it comes to fresh, juicy peaches, California is by far the largest peach-producing state in the United States. USDA’s Economic Research Service (ERS) reports that last year, California’s harvest yielded 475,000 …

Dry Conditions across Major Growing Areas

Dan Beef, Cattle, Drought, Field Crops, Marketing, Specialty Crops, Weather

Tropical activity in the western part of the U.S. is causing many issues there. But according to a story from Mark Oppold, much of the country will experience dry conditions again this week. Sponsored ContentFCEB Recurring Funding Provides Opportunity for Longer Term Research ProjectsOctober 10, 2025Florida Cattle Enhancement Board Advances Forage ResearchOctober 3, 2025Florida Cattle Enhancement Board Acts As Catalyst …

GATES Act Aims to Include Larger Farms in Conservation Programs

Dan Agri-Business, Conservation Stewardship Program (CSP), Environmental Quality Incentives Program (EQIP), Farm Bill, Funding, Legislative, Regulation, Specialty Crops, USDA-NRCS

The Growing Access to Environmental Sustainability (GATES) Act seeks to reduce barriers that producers face in accessing agricultural conservation programs. Congressman John Duarte, a farmer from California, is on the coalition behind the act. He says current adjusted gross income (AGI) limitations of $900,000 disproportionately limit producers with high input costs from participating in certain USDA conservation-focused programs.  “That sounds …