Top Agriculture News

The devastation following Hurricane Helene in the mountains of North and South Carolina is almost without comparison. Many farms are simply gone after the area received more than 20 inches of rain in less than four days. Linda Pryor is a farmer in Henderson County, North Carolina. “We’ve had extreme devastation and still very cut […]

This is the SFN Market Report with Brooks Schaffer of Palmetto Grain. Reach him at [email protected] or 843-540-4540. Corn and soybeans had a strong day Friday capping off a good week for the bulls. Monday started off fairly quiet with mostly positioning ahead of the stocks report. The stocks report gives us the final old […]

Hurricane Helene walloped South Carolina last week. What were some of the effects on farms and agribusinesses, Commissioner? Well, we are still taking stock of the effects of this storm. The western part of the state was hit hardest. The strong winds downed trees and knocked out power for close to half the homes and […]

Well, we’re getting reports out of western North Carolina of the destruction across that region because of hurricane Helene. I am talking with Ag Commissioner Steve Troxler now, and Commissioner I know you have flown over the area this morning. What have you seen? “Around anything that flows water, there is mass destruction. And, you […]

ASHEVILLE, N.C. (AP) — The death toll after Hurricane Helene left a trail of destruction across the U.S. Southeast has reached at least 133. A crisis is unfolding in the mountains of western North Carolina, where water, food and other supplies are being airlifted into places cut off by mudslides and washed-out roads. Officials worry the death toll will rise further as searchers reach isolated areas. Nearly three dozen people have died in the county that includes the tourism hub of Asheville. The city’s water system has been severely damaged. Forecasters are keeping a close eye on Tropical Storm Kirk, which is expected to become a powerful Atlantic hurricane this week.

As flooding and power outages persist in the wake of Hurricane Helene, officials are urging agricultural producers and industry stakeholders to contact their specific county emergency management officials for guidance regarding the storm’s impacts. A list of county contacts can be found here. Clemson University, South Carolina Department of Agriculture and South Carolina Department of Commerce […]

Key milk components required to produce cheese, butter and other dairy products keep growing while fluid milk production has steadily declined DENVER (September 30, 2024)—The U.S. dairy industry has long relied on monthly milk production data from the USDA to track the trajectory of milk supplies available for processing and to project potential dairy product output. […]

PETALUMA, Calif. (AP) — A proposal to phase out large-scale confined animal farms will be put before voters in a Northern California county. Sonoma County residents will decide whether to approve Measure J. Proponents say the move to phase out what federal authorities call concentrated animal feeding operations is about the humane treatment of animals. Critics say it is a misguided effort that could harm egg farming and dairies in the county and that California already has strict rules to ensure farm animals’ well-being.

RALEIGH – The N.C. Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services activated its hotline Saturday, Sept. 28, to connect farmers with resources that can assist with damage and other agricultural emergencies related to the storm. The toll-free number is 1-866-645-9403. A live operator will be available on the hotline between 8 a.m. and 5 p.m. “While […]

We are amazed but not surprised by gracious offerings for fellow farmers impacted by Hurricane Helene. Our staff is working closely with the N.C. Department of Agriculture to support response efforts. Once we know the full extent of the damages, we will also be engaging with our state and congressional representatives to advocate for help.  […]