Hello everybody out there in farm country. This radio commentary is brought to you by Monsanto, and John Deere. They are all friends, supporters, and allies of a healthy farm economy and prosperous rural America. Thank you.   And now …

Former Ag Secretary John Block – Read More »

Due to wet weather, small grain harvest is running about a week behind schedule. Although growers are anxious to get full-season crops planted, it may be worth their while to take time to collect soil samples directly following harvest. The …

Consider soil sampling after grain harvest Read More »

The U.S. Senate has approved the Border Security, Economic Opportunity and Immigration Modernization Act of 2013 by a vote of 68 to 32. The measure includes provisions to allow current undocumented ag workers to gain citizenship after working another five …

Immigration Reform Makes it Through the Senate Read More »

At the 2 livestock auctions held Wednesday at Norwood and North Wilkesboro a total of 966 cattle and no goats were sold. N.C. Broiler-fryers: The market is steady and the live supply is adequate to meet the moderate demand. Average …

Market Summary: NC Cucumbers Wrapping Up Read More »

U.S. lean-hog futures Thursday surged to multi-month highs in most contracts and a new individual high in nearby July amid support from stronger-than-expected gains in wholesale pork prices throughout June. July lean hogs were up 202 at $101, August lean …

Market Recap: Wheat Futures Fall Ahead of USDA Reports Read More »

The seven-year-old Best Dish in NC summer local food contest has been replaced this year with the Dig Into Local Challenge. Tim Parrish, NCDA Food Service Marketing Specialist: “As with any program, you are always looking to take it and …

NCDA Read More »

While they’ve been here for several months, the Chinese have officially announced opening a tobacco buying office in Raleigh. North Carolina Department of Agriculture’s Assistant Director of International Marketing, Peter Thornton: “Yesterday the leadership from the Chinese delegation visited with …

Chinese Officially Open Tobacco Buying Office in North Carolina Read More »

Registration is now open for the 2013 flue-cured and burly tobacco tours. The Eastern tour is July 15 and 16th with several stops in Johnston, Lenoir, Greene and Edgecombe Counties. The Piedmont tour is on July 17th with stops in …

NC Flue-cured & Burley Tobacco Tours Set Read More »

When we think about the history of our country and manufacturing, many of us think about the big steel mills and auto factories in the north and Midwest. Or of farms in the south and west. But this thinking may …

NC State Economist Dr. Mike Walden – Where Are the Factories Located? Read More »

The defeat of the farm bill in the House last week forced Republican leaders to reassess the best way to move forward, having only a handful of largely unpopular choices. The House could vote on the version approved by the …

Farm bill remains in limbo as Congress weighs options Read More »