Top Agriculture News

RALEIGH, N.C. (AP) — North Carolina Gov. Josh Stein has vetoed a bill that would repeal an interim greenhouse gas reduction mandate for power generation. Stein said Wednesday that the legislation would harm consumers and discourage clean energy. The bill would do away with a directive in a 2021 law for electric regulators to take “all reasonable steps to achieve” reducing carbon dioxide output 70% from 2005 levels by 2030. Republican supporters say the mandate is unnecessary and costly. They want to focus on a 2050 carbon neutrality goal that would remain in place. Environmentalists praised Stein’s veto of the bill. It would impact Duke Energy, the state’s dominant electric utility.

Brazil’s second corn crop this year is going to be a big one, and that’s disappointing news for U.S. producers. Matthew Kruse is president of Commstock Investments. “As they get some initial yield information coming in, some saying that estimates are 800 million bushels above what USDA and CONAB is at, which obviously would not […]

Paper mill closures are limiting forest opportunities in South Carolina. Chip Campsen is chairman of the Senate Fish, Game and Forestry Committee. He told WPDE forestry is the state’s top job provider. “A lot of people are shocked to hear that, but that’s true, the number one industry by payroll. The problem is we have […]

USDA’s June Acreage and Grain Stocks Report is historically one of the more volatile pieces on the calendar, but Monday’s release left the markets relatively flat. Brooks Shaffer is a market analyst with Palmetto Grain in Ridgeland, South Carolina, and says Monday’s corn planting numbers provided little spark. “On the acreage side, it felt like […]

This is the SFN Market Report with Brooks Schaffer of Palmetto Grain. Reach him at [email protected] or 843-540-4540. USDA released the Quarterly Stocks and Planted Acreage Report on Monday at noon. This is one of the biggest reports of the year and has a history of big surprises. This year was not one of those […]

The N.C. Forest Service’s annual seedling sale starts July 1, with orders being accepted for native and genetically improved tree varieties. Interested landowners are encouraged to shop early for the best availability.

South Carolina FFA state convention wrapped up and Commissioner Hugh Weathers is here to talk about a wonderful partnership between SCDA and FFA.

More and more farmers are looking for alternative income streams and ways to bolster their farms’ bottom line. One way is through direct-to-consumer sales, whether through farmers markets, roadside stands or online. Rick Harrison is CEO of Farm Trader and suggests farmers, as entrepreneurs, should pay special attention to how they market themselves. He begins […]

High Oleic soybean oil is now being incorporated into dairy cattle feed rations and is positively affecting animal health. Don Wyss, chair of the United Soybean Board’s Audit and Evaluation Committee, says it’s been a “journey” to get the high oleic soybean oil into cattle rations. “We at USB brought the high oleic program forward, […]

WASHINGTON (AP) — Republican Sen. Thom Tillis of North Carolina says he won’t seek reelection. That news Sunday comes one day after he announced his opposition to President Donald Trump’s tax breaks and spending cuts package because of its reductions to health care programs. The announcement from the two-term senator surprised senior Republicans with its timing, but not necessarily the substance. Tillis had planned to announce his reelection plans later this year, likely September at the latest, but had been heavily leaning in favor of retiring. That’s according to a person close to the senator who was granted anonymity to discuss internal dynamics. His decision creates a political opportunity for Democrats seeking to bolster their numbers in the 2026 midterm elections.