Nearly 90% of NC in Severe Drought as Fire Danger Grows
Well, as we talked about last week, pollen is in the air. Temperatures are in the 80s. And yes, this is not an April's fools. It is a not June, and we're going with this heat. How long is it going to last, and what impact is it having on the drought map? We got state citizen climatologist Corey Davis here. Corey, I'm s...
Brooks Schaffer Market Report for Friday, April 3rd
This is the SFN Market Report with Brooks Schaffer of Palmetto Grain. Reach him at brooks@palmettograin.com or 843-540-4540. Ag markets are closed today, Friday, April 3, for Good Friday. It is not a federal holiday, though, so we will get the Commitment of Traders report this afternoon. Markets will open as normal at ...
The Label Reads "Product of USA"
Since the first of this year, when a final rule was issued, the Agriculture Department has offered voluntary meat and food product labeling of USDA-regulated products under the term "Product of USA." "If something says 'Product of the USA,' that means that animal was born, raised, harvested and processed...
Diesel Prices Hit Record Highs
Oil prices have been on a rollercoaster ride ever since the United States and Israel started bombing Iran. Initially, oil prices moved higher, but last week, oil prices dipped after President Trump paused attacks on Iran. But since those have resumed, oil prices have again moved higher. It should come as no surprise th...
Share the Feeding the Economy Report to Show Agriculture's Economic Impact
John Bode, president of the Corn Refiners Association, celebrated National Ag Day in Washington, D.C. He talked about one thing that would make National Ag Day even better than it already is. "Bold, new market opportunities. That's what American food and agriculture needs. Broadly, we need stronger markets, domest...
NC Eggs roll their way to the White House
NASHVILLE, N.C. (NCN News) - Eggs from a North Carolina farm will have a starring role in this year's White House Easter Egg Roll. On Tuesday (March 30), U.S. Secretary of Agriculture Brooke Rollins toured Braswell Family Farms, a fourth-generation, family-owned egg farm supplying the eggs for the 2026 White House East...
Brooks Schaffer Market Report for Tuesday, March 31st
This is the SFN Market Report with Brooks Schaffer of Palmetto Grain. Reach him at brooks@palmettograin.com or 843-540-4540. We still have all the volatility in the energy markets, with the ups, downs and headline risk from the Middle East. Trump continues to tweet escalating threats, followed by assurances that the ne...
Study identifies opportunities to expand agricultural manufacturing and processing in North Carolina
RESEARCH TRIANGLE PARK, N.C. - A new study found that targeted investments in agricultural manufacturing and processing could help North Carolina farmers access higher-value and more reliable markets if they are designed with a farmer-centric approach and local sourcing strategy. The study, commissioned by the North Ca...
Trump, EPA Announce Highest-Ever RVOs in Final RFS Rule
President Trump and his EPA announced the highest-ever Renewable Fuel Standard volume obligations or RVOs for 2026 and '27. Trump told farmers gathered at the White House for an Ag Week Celebration "Today, I'm also announcing a dramatic update to the Renewable Fuel Standards for 2026 and 2027 and will now be requi...
Now Available - Ag Pest and Disease Rapid Response Research Grants
You may be aware of various pest and disease threats to our nation's ag ecosystems and food security. Examples include: "Lanternfly on the East Coast, new world screwworm. For example, there are a whole host of things that we have to be concerned about today." And National Institute of Food and Agriculture ad...