When most people picture a farmer, they don’t envision someone teaching math, driving a school bus or managing a bank branch. Yet for the majority of U.S. farm households, income from these off-farm roles is what keeps the operation running.

Black cutworm (BCW) is a migratory pest that arrives in Iowa each year with spring storms.

University of Nebraska–Lincoln scientists continue to advance the understanding of sorghum’s natural defenses, new findings that can strengthen crop resistance to a major pest threat, the fall armyworm.

Agriculture Secretary Brooke Rollins will have a lot to discuss on Capitol Hill this week with the Trump administration shedding nearly 15,200 positions at USDA and a budget proposal detailing more than $4.6 billion in discretionary cuts at the department as well.

U.S. corn and soybean planting advanced over the past week. Some key growing areas did see more rainfall last week, but past the short-term planting delays, that’s expected to be beneficial for long-term development.

Farmer sentiment improved in April as the Purdue University-CME Group Ag Economy Barometer climbed 8 points to a reading of 148. The improvement in farmers’ sentiment was bolstered by increases in both the Index of Current Conditions, which rose 9 points to 141, and the Index of Future Expectations, which rose 8 points to 152.

A new study commissioned by Clean Fuels Alliance America shows the U.S. biomass-based diesel industry generated $42.4 billion in economic activity in 2024, supported 107,400 jobs and paid $6 billion in annual wages.

You know the drill. The calendar is overflowing, you’re running late and finally leaving the office for meetings. And then you notice a teary-eyed coworker with a quivering lip who softly utters, “Have a good day.”

A university researcher says the impact of losing USDA agricultural research would be enormous for U.S. farmers and global food production.

Republicans on the House Ag Committee are trying to reach agreement on cuts to nutrition assistance and increases in farm bill spending. Rep. Chellie Pingree, D-Maine, says Democrats will be largely opposed to SNAP cuts to fund a boost to commodity programs. “We can’t rob Peter to pay Paul,” she said.

In its first financial report of the 2025 fiscal year, AGCO is reporting net sales of $2.1 billion. That is a decrease of 30% compared to the first quarter of 2024.

The U.S. Dairy Export Council (USDEC), National Milk Producers Federation (NMPF) and KADIN, the Indonesian Chamber of Commerce, recently signed a memorandum of understanding (MOU) in a milestone step to deepen cooperation between U.S. and Indonesian dairy industries.

The Agricultural Retailers Association (ARA) is pleased to announce the launch of LaborLink, a new member benefit designed to help agricultural retailers address one of their most urgent operational challenges: securing reliable labor.

More than one-third of USDA farm-loan dollars to farmers -- at least $1.7 billion, based on recent data -- now will need approval not only from the Farm Service Agency but also the Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE), according to a Reuters report.

Many agricultural groups are encouraging the US EPA to revise the 2023 Waters of the U.S. rule, not to repeal and replace it.

Marking the biggest growth of any U.S. food and agricultural export market, Mexico has surged 65% over the past four years and is quickly catching up to Canada.

Recent Foot and Mouth Disease cases in Europe are renewing concerns of a potential outbreak in the U.S. swine herd.

Kansas State University's Climate Resilient Cereals Innovation Lab continues work after federal funding resumed earlier this month.

The USDA has launched a portal for farmers, ranchers, and USDA customers to report complaints if they believe they have been targeted by unfair or politically motivated legal actions.

It has been a much more active weather pattern for the Plains than forecasts were projecting a few months ago.

As we are paused mid-way through spring planting season in Iowa, farmers and agronomists are closely monitoring weather conditions that will impact planting of the corn and soybean crop.

Hay harvest is approaching, and producing high-quality hay reduces cattle supplementation,” says Patrick Davis, University of Missouri Extension livestock field specialist.

The Minnesota Department of Agriculture (MDA) has awarded more than $1 million in grants to schools and early care providers through its Farm to School and Early Care Grants program. This funding supports the purchase of Minnesota-grown and -raised foods, creating market opportunities for local farmers and improving the quality of school and early care meals across the state.

The chairman of the House Agriculture Committee is planning to update the farm safety net and crop insurance programs in the budget reconciliation bill being worked on by Republicans in Congress.

The U.S. EPA says its included updates in the final Insecticide Strategy to make it easier for applicators and growers to comply with the Endangered Species Act.

Leaders of the National Corn Growers Association expressed disappointment Tuesday with a decision by the International Trade Commission affirming that Corteva Agriscience was harmed by imports of a critical herbicide, called 2,4-D.

U.S. Secretary of Agriculture Brooke Rollins on Tuesday announced a second round of payments coming this week for specialty crop producers through the Marketing Assistance for Specialty Crops (MASC) program, providing up to $1.3 billion in additional program assistance.

The director of the Soybean Innovation Lab, at the University of Illinois, says its progress toward developing a global soybean value chain will continue.