Railroads Spark a Wheat Boom In the late 19th century, wheat production in the United States expanded rapidly as new railroad lines connected farms to distant markets. These rail connections made it possible to move large volumes of grain efficiently, fueling a dramatic transformation in American agriculture. Between 1875 and 1890, this expansion gave rise to massive wheat operations known …
Florida’s Rural and Family Lands Protection Program Application Cycle Open
Florida farmers and ranchers have a new opportunity to protect working agricultural lands as the Rural and Family Lands Protection Program (RFLPP) opens its latest application cycle. Applications are now being accepted through January 23, 2026, offering landowners a chance to partner with the state to preserve agricultural operations that are increasingly threatened by urban development. Administered by the Florida …
USDA Declares 19 Alabama Counties Disaster Areas Due to Drought
Severe Drought Takes a Toll on Alabama Farmers Alabama Commissioner of Agriculture and Industries Rick Pate announced that U.S. Department of Agriculture Secretary Brooke Rollins has officially designated 19 Alabama counties as primary natural disaster areas following prolonged drought conditions. The designation reflects widespread agricultural losses during the most recent growing season. “The drought severely affected several Alabama counties, impacting …
USDA Creates And Implements Terms And Conditions For Future Awards
USDA Establishes First-Ever Unified Terms and Conditions for Future Awards U.S. Secretary of Agriculture Brooke Rollins has signed a new Secretary’s Memorandum directing all USDA staff offices and agencies to “immediately adopt and implement the first-ever set of USDA General Terms and Conditions for all future awards.” The action marks a major shift in how USDA administers grants, cooperative agreements, …
Additional Upcoming Peanut Meetings
Key January Agriculture Events to Add to Your 2026 Calendar As farmers, processors, and agribusiness professionals plan for the new year, several important January events deserve a spot on the calendar. These meetings, trade shows, and short courses provide valuable opportunities for education, networking, and insight into crop production, processing, and market trends across the Southeast and beyond. One of …
USDA Announces Payment Rates By Commodity For Farmer Bridge Assistance Program
USDA Releases Farmer Bridge Assistance Program Payment Rates The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) has officially released the long-awaited payment rates for the Farmer Bridge Assistance (FBA) Program, providing clarity and certainty for producers planning for the 2026 growing season. Announced late last year, the FBA Program delivers $12 billion in total assistance, with $11 billion allocated to row crop …
List of Commodities Tracked
Year-End Commodity Review Shows Precious Metals and Cattle Leading the Way As we approach the end of the calendar year, commodity markets are providing plenty to talk about. We’ve highlighted a rare and historic market signal: crude oil and silver crossing the $60 mark at the same time. That event has only happened twice in recorded history, with the last …
Economist provides outlook for cotton producers for 2026 at Deltapine NPE Summit
Incremental Cotton Demand Growth Could Deliver Big Gains for Producers During the recent Deltapine New Product Evaluator (NPE) Summit in Hollywood, Florida, cotton producers heard a clear message about the future of the cotton market: incremental growth matters. Dr. Darren Hudson, Director of the International Center for Agricultural Competitiveness at Texas Tech University, shared an economic outlook that emphasized the …
OBBB Distribution Map
One Big Beautiful Bill Delivers Historic Investment for U.S. Agriculture The One Big Beautiful Bill (OBBB) represents the largest investment in the American agricultural industry in more than a decade, delivering wide-ranging support to farmers, ranchers, and rural communities across the country. While the national impact is significant, producers can now see exactly what the legislation means for their individual …
Tractor and Combine Sales Drop in November
AEM Reports Sharp Decline in U.S. Tractor and Combine Sales The Association of Equipment Manufacturers (AEM) is reporting a significant slowdown in agricultural equipment sales across the United States, highlighting the continued financial pressure facing farmers. According to newly released data, total sales of agricultural tractors in the U.S. dropped nearly 20 percent, while combine sales declined 35 percent compared …










