Top Agriculture News

The National Association of State Departments of Agriculture recently led a trade mission to Cuba with the hopes of eventually improving trade between the two neighbors. NASDA CEO Ted McKinney talked about why they took a trade trip to the island nation. “This time, we had seven of our members, always we take a special […]

The U.S. Department of Agriculture and the Energy Department have launched a new initiative to help farmers cut costs and increase income using underutilized renewable technologies. Through the Rural and Agricultural Income & Savings from Renewable Energy initiative, USDA is setting an initial goal of helping 400 individual farmers deploy smaller-scale wind projects using USDA’s […]

USDA ended last week with the monthly Cattle on Feed Report showing slightly higher inventories on February 1. Cattle and calves on feed for the slaughter market in the United States for feedlots with capacity of 1,000 or more head totaled 11.8 million. The inventory was slightly above 2023, with placements in feedlots at 1.79 […]

SC Commissioner of Agriculture Hugh Weathers has just returned from a trade mission to Cuba. Commissioner, tell us about this trip. Yes, Mike, I’m back from a trip to Cuba with the National Association of State Departments of Agriculture. Cuba is opening up more to international trade and relationships, and agriculture will be a big […]

This is the Market Report with Brooks Schaffer of Palmetto Grain. Reach him at [email protected] or 843-540-4540. March corn broke through the $4 level on Friday. This was the first time we have been below $4 since 2020. Soybeans also traded to levels not seen since 2020. There is not much new fundamental news and […]

The work of the N.C. Department of Agriculture touches the lives of residents of the state every day whether they know that or not. Weights and Measures Week celebrated March 1-7 highlights the work our Standards Division does to protect consumers. They inspect gas pumps, scales used in commerce and other measurement devices to ensure […]

Many experts have said the agricultural economy has grown softer in the last 6-8 months. Nate Kauffman, senior vice president with the Kansas City Federal Reserve, says it starts with lower commodity prices. “We’ve seen some declines in commodity prices, notably corn, and other major commodities, that would have large implications for the middle of […]

The U.S. potato industry has seen quite the turnaround in volume the past year with a pretty healthy rebound. Kim Brashears, Chief Marketing Officer at Potatoes USA, says it’s really been an up and down, OR down and up year for potatoes.  “2023 was kind of the tale of two stories. We had a tight […]

American Farm Bureau Federation president Zippy Duvall says it’s critical that Congress finishes a farm bill this year. “Well, there are only a few pieces of legislation that are more significant than the farm bill when it comes to helping our farmers secure our food supply. The farm bill is essential to our farmers and […]

You look at the calendar and it says February but we look outside we look at the thermometer and we’re thinking, maybe Spring has sprung. We’ll turn to climatologist Corey Davis to get his take on it may be a more scientific one than just whether or not we need to wear a jacket today […]