Top Agriculture News

It’s not good in plant into wet soils. That’s the first bit of advice agronomists from the University of Illinois have for farmers in the month of April. It is worse to plant in cold, wet soils. Giovani Preza Fontes says there’s still plenty of time for field conditions to improve. “We don’t want to plant […]

(Washington, D.C., April 17, 2025)—Today, the U.S. Department of Agriculture issued a memorandum to all state agencies administering the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) making it clear states must ensure SNAP benefits are provided with an expectation that those who can work, do. “Since my confirmation, I have reiterated the states are our partners, and […]

Some hit or miss rains across the Carolinas over the past week. What kind of difference did it make? Well, I’m going to ask that of Corey Davis, Assistant State Climatologist for North Carolina, some areas got some pretty good rain, didn’t they? “Mike, you know, these April showers are a pretty reliable part of […]

This is the SFN Market Report with Brooks Schaffer of Palmetto Grain. Reach him at [email protected] or 843-540-4540. The markets are closed today, Friday April 18th for the Easter holiday. Volume has been light and ranges small this week as it seems a lot of traders took the whole week off. Outside markets remain very […]

A lot of questions remain about when producers will start rebuilding the U.S. cattle herd. Mark Johnson, the extension beef cattle breeding specialist for Oklahoma State University, says there are signs the industry needs to begin rebuilding its herds. That starts with selecting the right replacement females. “I think we know we have the right […]

Cover crop usage continues to grow across the country. Earlier this week, the Conservation Technology Information Center announced the findings of its eighth national cover crop survey. Rob Myers of Sustainable Agriculture Research and Education, or SARE, was one of the presenters and noted that familiarity with cover crops breeds appreciation. “Those that actually have […]

One state ag official says President Trump’s tariffs on foreign made goods is part of a larger plan to level the playing field for US products, including agriculture. North Carolina Ag Commissioner Steve Troxler says many countries are dumping products into the US, and that’s a concern. “They’re sending products in here to the United […]

Interest rates spent much of 2024 at or near the top of the news cycle. Matthew Bennett, co-founder of AgMarket.net, says it’s important to not forget about interest rates in 2025. “I just don’t think you can cool them down too much, and if you do, when you do it quickly, I would be very […]

STARKVILLE, Miss.—It’s official. The Mississippi sweet potato is growing tremendously—in status that is. The storage root formally becomes the “Official Vegetable of Mississippi” on July 1, after Governor Tate Reeves signed Senate House Bill 2383 into law this past month. And, none could be happier about the legislation’s passage than Mississippi State University sweet potato […]

South Carolina Ag Commissioner Hugh Weathers has just returned from a trip to Panama, and it was it was not all fun and games, although I think you had some fun while you were there. We’ll start with that, commissioner. It sounds like there were some intriguing aspects to Panama that caught your attention. “Well, […]