Top Agriculture News

Interest rates are starting to fall, which is a good thing for U.S. agriculture. David Widmar, an economist with Agricultural Economic Insights, says it’ll take time to feel the effects of the drop. “We went from three-and-a-half, four percent farm-level interest rates up to seven, seven-and-a-half percent, and now we’re coming down from seven-and-a-half percent […]

With a lame-duck Congress until the end of the year, is there any chance of getting a new farm bill done in 2024, or will we let the new Congress worry about it in 2025? National Farmers Union President Rob Larew says it’s pretty clear we really can’t afford to wait. “You know, we’re over, […]

Fertilizer is one of the input costs for farmers that has stayed high in recent months. Josh Linville of StoneX says global events can have a bigger impact on fertilizer than some may realize. “Absolutely, it’s exciting that somebody’s looking more global than just at home, because that’s what we need to do, right? We […]

As Americans gather around the Thanksgiving holiday table, it’s important to remember that many of the items we enjoy are grown right here in the U.S. Betty Resnick, an economist for the American Farm Bureau Federation, says specialty crops play a key role in the annual feast. “Cranberries, celery, potatoes, and sweet potatoes, green beans […]

The cost of farm labor is yet another rising supply cost for farmers and ranchers, particularly for farmworkers hired through the H-2A visa program.. Samantha Ayoub, an economist for the American Farm Bureau Federation, says the recently released Farm Labor Survey gives us a snapshot of labor costs across the country. “The November Farm Labor […]

President-elect Trump’s pick for agriculture secretary in his second term was a bit of a surprise. He tapped former White House adviser Brooke Rollins after several major news outlets reported that former Georgia senator Kelly Loeffler would be the nominee. Jess Peterson is senior policy adviser with the US Cattlemen’s Association. He tells RFD-TV that […]

This is the SFN Market Report with Brooks Schaffer of Palmetto Grain. Reach him at [email protected] or 843-540-4540. Thanksgiving week usually brings smaller volumes to the grain markets. Most of the time that means the markets continue to trade the same ranges we were before the holiday week, but lower volume can cause higher volatility […]

It’s Thanksgiving week, when every American is thinking abut food. And of course, food is your business, Commissioner. Commissioner: While you’re enjoying your Thanksgiving meal this year, I hope you’ll take a moment to give thanks for our South Carolina and US farmers who grow safe, nutritious and affordable food for families across the country […]

Finding adequate labor for agriculture may be the biggest challenge facing farmers today. Will the new administration help find answers? Chuck Conner, president and CEO of the National Council of Farmer Cooperatives, says it’s a problem everyone recognizes. “Whether it’s tax, farm bill, you name it, you know, sometimes you have some outliers. In the […]

Even in hardship, we have so much to celebrate and be thankful for this holiday season. We live in a state whose farmers provide a significant part of our Thanksgiving meal.