News Archives
Emergency grain storage funding available
Farmers in nine states who lost grain bins or handling equipment due to storms could be eligible for assistance from USDA’s Farm Service Agency.

Ag Secretary signs climate-smart MOUs at Commodity Classic
Agriculture Secretary Tom Vilsack on Friday used the Commodity Classic show to sign a pair of agreements with farm groups to boost soil-health practices under USDA's Partnerships for Climate-Smart Commodities.
Crop insurance considerations ahead of deadline
The deadline for farmers to lock in their crop insurance choices is just around the corner.

Ernst, Warnock renew push to support Beagle Brigade Training Center
Senators Joni Ernst (R-Iowa) and Reverend Raphael Warnock (D-Ga.), both members of the Senate Agriculture Committee, today renewed their effort to support the Beagle Brigade, canine detection units – made up mostly of beagles – used at airports and ports of entry.

NASDA pushes for more ag research funding in upcoming farm bill
The National Association of State Departments of Agriculture says while it wants to see a strong commodity title in the farm bill, it is focusing its efforts on ag research, cybersecurity and trade.

USDA announces $29 million to increase American-made fertilizer production
U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) Secretary Tom Vilsack today announced that the Department received $3 billion in applications from more than 350 independent businesses from 47 states and 2 territories for the first two rounds of a new grant program to add innovative domestic fertilizer production capacity.

President Biden's FY 2024 budget pitches tax hikes to help offset spending proposals
Farm programs are left unscathed from budget cuts under President Joe Biden's fiscal year 2024 budget proposal, but the president's plan calls for increasing corporate taxes and income taxes on higher-income earners to shave the growth of the national debt over the next decade.
House votes to block Biden WOTUS rule
The U.S. House has voted to block the Biden administration’s Waters of the U.S. Rule.

EPA considering 'all options' for summer 2023 E15 sales
An Environmental Protection Agency official says the agency is exploring a variety of solutions that would allow E15 sales to take place in 2023 while also advancing a petition to legalize the sales in the Midwest the following year.

NASA data shows weather extremes will worsen over the next decade
Data gathered by NASA shows that weather extremes will worsen over the next decade.

Ag budget views and estimates letter advances out of committee
Today, the House Committee on Agriculture convened a business meeting to consider its budget views and estimates letter for the 2024 fiscal year.

USDA announces more than $43 million investment in meat and poultry processing research, expansion and innovation
The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) announced today an investment of more than $43 million in meat and poultry processing research, innovation and expansion in support of its ongoing efforts to transform the food system at every stage along the supply chain.

Concerns about production costs and weather loom
As farmers from around the country gather in Orlando for Commodity Classic weather, yields, and cost of production are dominating much of the hallway conversations.

AFBF reaches right-to-repair deal with Case IH, New Holland equipment
After reaching a right-to-repair deal with John Deere earlier this year, the American Farm Bureau Federation on Thursday announced another memorandum of understanding with CNH Industrial Brands, which includes Case IH and New Holland tractors.

Farmers encouraged to complete national cover crop survey
Whether they have planted cover crops or not, all farmers are being encouraged to complete an anonymous survey to provide valuable production insight.

Biodegradable soil sensors could change farming, conservation approaches
New research from the Paul M. Rady Department of Mechanical Engineering into biodegradable sensors may change the way farmers track, measure, and respond in real time to their soil’s microbial activity with big implications for addressing global greenhouse gas emissions.

USDA raises corn ending stocks, lowers soybeans
The USDA has raised the ending stocks projection for U.S. corn, while lowering the carryover guess for soybeans.

U.S. corn estimates at risk in March WASDE report
On Wednesday, March 8, at 11 a.m. CST, USDA will issue the next World Agricultural Supply and Demand Estimates (WASDE) report.

AG's of NE, IA file intent to sue EPA for delay of E15 sales
Attorneys general in two Midwestern States have notified the Environmental Protection Agency of their intent to sue for delaying year-round E15 sales.

Trade and Foreign Agricultural Affairs Under Secretary to lead trade mission to Panama
The U.S. Department of Agriculture's Under Secretary for Trade and Foreign Agricultural Affairs Alexis M. Taylor will lead a delegation of 26 agribusinesses and farm organizations to Panama City, Panama, from March 19 to 23.
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Rural agriculture needs reliable communication: Josh Peschel launches new technology in ag hot spots
Mobile communication has changed the world around us nearly overnight.
Yet still, with much progress in this realm of technology, remote, rural areas are still struggling to connect with the outside world. These remote areas are hotspots for agriculture, with acres upon acres of crops and animals.

Additional time offered for swine inspection plant trials
USDA’s Food Safety and Inspection Service has extended until Nov. 30 the trial period for a study on the impact line speeds have on workers at swine processing facilities.

U.S. House to consider WOTUS disapproval
The U.S. House of Representatives is expected to vote on a joint resolution disapproving the Biden Administration’s Waters of the U.S. rule later this week.

Models ease cold, increase precipitation this week
The increase in precipitation continues the overall wet pattern across a good majority of the country here for another week.

Researchers uncover new understanding of plant response to environmental stress
Researchers at Purdue University have discovered a new mechanism for how plants respond to environmental stresses and leveraged this mechanism to improve tolerance to drought and salinity.

Biden-Harris Administration announce actions, investments to create fairer markets, lower prices
U.S. Department of Agriculture Secretary Tom Vilsack on Monday announced the Biden-Harris Administration is investing $89 million across the country to finance the startup and expansion of independent meat processors.

Western Nebraska ranchers cited for animal cruelty after 1,000 cattle seized
A pair of Western Nebraska ranchers have been arrested and cited for 150 cases of animal cruelty after law enforcement seized more than 1,000 head of cattle.

Diesel position more certain than 2022
The diesel market has a much-improved outlook for those looking to buy compared to a year ago. The market, however, does still have its issues, mainly stocks well below historical levels and supply issues, which could cloud this outlook.

