Top agribusiness, farming, ranching and rural-related news
Wheat Export Sales Hit 2020 Marketing-Year High
It was a big week for agricultural exports according to USDA’s latest Weekly Export Sales Report.
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Despite COVID-19 Challenges, Midwest Farm Incomes Receive Boost
The Federal Reserve released their latest Beige Book and according to the Chicago Federal Reserve Bank, the COVID-19 pandemic continued to weigh on agriculture incomes.
As Nation Watches Coronavirus, USDA Prepares for FMD
USDA recently announced the first purchase of a vaccine for the National Animal Vaccine and Veterinary Countermeasures Bank, with an investment for a foot-and-mouth disease vaccine.
Good News for Economic Recovery in Rural Areas
Over the past two decades, the U.S. rural economy has trailed the urban economy in just about every measurable category, including gross domestic product (GDP) and employment but that trend may be changing.
R-CALF Leads Charge Requesting Termination of Beef Checkoff
A group of cattle producers, led by R-CALF USA, are asking USDA for a nationwide referendum on the Beef Promotion and Research Order, commonly known as the Beef Checkoff Program.
Burger King Launches Reduced Methane Emissions Beef Patty
Burger King caught the cattle industry off guard Tuesday with a tweet and video proclaiming “cow farts & burps are no laughing matter.
China Wants “COVID-Free” Certificates Signed By Commodity Exporters
China is asking meat and soybean exporters to certify that their shipments to China have complied with safety standards to ensure they are free of COVID-19.
NRCS Lifts Virtual Vail, Conservation Tools Now Online
Recent developments to USDA websites will allow farmers and ranchers to begin managing their conservation activities online
Researchers Attempting Mechanized Robot Harvest of Chili Peppers
One of the most expensive and frustrating areas for specialty crop producers is the issue of manual labor at harvest
Ag Groups Warn Congress of Impending Budgetary Shortfall
Last week a coalition of more than 150 groups sent a letter to Congress warning of a major funding shortfall that could severely weaken agricultural inspections at our borders.
Side-Effect to COVID-19: Consumers Buying More Dairy Products
COVID-19 is dramatically affecting consumer habits and dairy supply chains as food service demand plummets and grocery sales surge.
Legislation Introduced for Direct to Consumer Meat Sales
If approved and signed into law, the DIRECT Act would amend the retail exemption and allow processors, butchers or other retailers to sell normal retail quantities online to consumers across state lines.
FSA Crop Acreage Report Deadline Approaching for Farmers
Agricultural producers who have not yet completed their crop acreage reports after spring planting should make an appointment with their local Farm Service Agency office before the July 15 deadline.
Ag Groups Request Livestock Hearing by Senate Committee
The United States Cattlemen’s Association, National Farmers Union, and eleven other organizations have sent a letter to the Senate Agriculture Committee requesting a hearing on livestock mandatory price reporting reauthorization.
Increasing Imports of Honey Leading to Price Destruction
Honey production has remained relatively stable over the past 10 years, even as producers have grappled with significant colony losses.
Summer Farm Shows Fall Victim to Global Pandemic
The global coronavirus pandemic has claimed more casualties, this time in the way of 65-year-old farm shows
Quarterly Stocks Report Shows Massive Decline for Soybeans
USDA released their Quarterly Grain Stocks Report on Tuesday and caught some traders flat-footed
More Corn and Soybean Acres Planted, Fewer Cotton
USDA released their latest estimates for 2020 crop plantings in the United States with their annual Acreage Report released Tuesday.
Bayer Agrees to Settle Majority of Roundup Lawsuits
ST. LOUIS, MO – Bayer, the world’s largest seed company, announced a series of agreements […]
Some Genetically Engineered Crops Prepare For Expedited Approval
COLLEGE STATION, TX – Genetically modified versus genetically engineered – what’s the difference? According to […]
USDA Temporarily Relaxing Requirements for School Meal Programs
WASHINGTON, DC – On the heels of an unprecedented shutdown of schools nationwide due to […]
Environmental Groups Lose Effort to Stop Dicamba Applications
SAN FRANCISCO, CA – Earlier in the month, the U.S. Ninth Circuit Court of Appeals […]
Mixed Week for U.S. Exporters, China Still Buying
WASHINGTON, DC – Net sales of U.S. wheat over the past week totaled 518,700 metric […]
Double-Digit Growth Expected for Pork Prices Next Year
WASHINGTON, DC – After having their supply chains stretched thin due to the COVID-19 pandemic, […]
Conservative Approach and Cash are Top Survival Traits
LAKELAND, FL – At the start of 2020, sentiment among American farmers was generally optimistic. […]
FSA Opens Up Online Portal for CFAP Signup
WASHINGTON, DC – As more farmers and ranchers apply for Coronavirus Food Assistance Program (CFAP) […]
Global Economy Unlikely to Reach WTO’s Worst-Case Scenario
GENEVA, SWITZERLAND – World trade fell sharply in the first half of the year, as […]
Largest Historical Decline for Global Cotton Mill Use
WASHINGTON, DC – Cotton mill use generally tracks global economic activity. When the global economy […]
Few Ethanol Plants Profitable, Consolidation or Closures Expected
DENVER, CO – Excess production capacity, and reduced demand will force the U.S. ethanol industry […]
States Suing as New WOTUS Rule Becomes Effective
SAN FRANCISCO, CA – Back in January, the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) and the Army […]
2020 Dietary Guidelines Committee Preparing Final Advisory Report
WASHINGTON, DC – Last week, the Dietary Guidelines Advisory Committee (DGAC) held its Draft Advisory […]
Ag Groups File Appeal Challenging California’s Proposition 12
WASHINGTON, DC – Last week, the National Pork Producers Council and the American Farm Bureau […]
Excess Production Leading to Dismal Outlook for Ethanol
DENVER, CO – Excess production capacity, and reduced demand will force the U.S. ethanol industry […]
Cattle on Feed Marketings Smallest in Report History
COLLEGE STATION, TX – Despite a wide range of industry expectations for cattle on feed […]
New Poll Shows Consumer Approval of Agricultural Support
WASHINGTON, DC – America’s farmers and ranchers have been dealing with extreme challenges over the […]
Idled West Coast Ports Revealing Agriculture’s New Trend
WASHINGTON, DC – West Coast ports were idle on Friday as 38,000 union dockyard workers […]
House Transportation Committee Approves $500 Billion Infrastructure Package
WASHINGTON, DC – After more than 24 hours of debate that included the consideration of […]
Weekly Export Sales Mixed Bag for U.S. Commodities
WASHINGTON, DC – Wheat sales last week totaled more than 500-thousand metric tons primarily to […]
2020 Cash Corn Prices May Fall Below $3.00
URBANA, IL – Economists at the University of Illinois are carefully considering how projections for […]
Senate Agriculture Committee Considering Growing Climate Solutions Act
WASHINGTON, DC – As the headlines have been focused on the coronavirus pandemic for the […]
Agriculture Takes Front Row at Trade Policy Hearing
WASHINGTON, DC – The House Ways and Means Committee met virtually on Wednesday to discuss […]
Cotton Growers Pan Gold Nugget from USTR Testimony
WASHINGTON, DC – COVID-19 has hit many countries and many industries, and agriculture is not […]
Rural Counties Rank First in Extreme Poverty Rates
WASHINGTON, DC – Rural communities face some unique challenges, from a lack of reliable broadband […]
Beef and Pork Exports Strong While Lamb Struggles
DENVER, CO – As U.S. beef and pork producers celebrate good export demand, lamb producers […]
USDA Announces $2.2 Billion in Food Distribution Purchases
WASHINGTON, DC – While many in agriculture have been focused on the recently announced Coronavirus […]
SBA Rolls Out New, Revised PPP Forgiveness Details
WASHINGTON, DC – The Paycheck Protection Program (PPP) provided a much-needed lifeline to many rural […]
Specialty Crop Operations Most Vulnerable to Labor Shortages
WASHINGTON, DC – Some types of farms rely more on on-farm labor than others. According […]
Farm Service Agency County Committee Nominations Being Accepted
WASHINGTON, DC – Nominations are being accepted right now for county committee members with USDA’s […]
Iowa Producers Receiving Largest Share of CFAP Assistance
WASHINGTON, DC – Iowa producers appear to be leading the pack in approved applications for […]
Trade Tensions Rising Between China and Global Partners
MELBOURNE, AUSTRALIA – As tensions between the United States and China are rising, Reuters reports […]