Top Agriculture News

The margins in farm country remain tight, and that has many farmers and ranchers concerned for 2025. Dr. Jeff Dorfman is an economist at NC State University, and says the economy is something of a mixed bag right now/ “Well, I think the economy in 2025 is going to be pretty good in terms of […]

RALEIGH, N.C. (AP) — North Carolina Gov. Josh Stein kicked off his term in office by praising the resilience of residents following Hurricane Helene. And he pledged to “cut through red tape to help people rebuild quicker.” The Democrat also offered an upbeat message about working with the Republican-controlled General Assembly on a host of issues. They ranged from creating jobs and recruiting teachers to smashing drug rings and combating the ravages of fentanyl. Stein spoke Saturday during a televised address from the House chambers of the old Capitol building. A larger outdoor inauguration ceremony had been scheduled but was canceled because of winter weather.

Friday’s combined World Agricultural Supply and Demand Estimates report along with its final Crop Production estimates for 2024 provided some surprises for corn and soybeans Brooks Schaffer is a market analyst with Pinnacle Marketing in Ridgeland, South Carolina. “I think the lower end of the range on corn yield we were thinking we were, you […]

The USDA will begin rebuilding its bird flu vaccine stockpile to make it match the current strain of the virus running through commercial flocks and wild birds. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention says the outbreak started in 2022 and has killed over 130 million birds, affecting commercial, backyard, and wild birds in all […]

As they say in farm country, looks like we’re going to get some weather and to talk to us about that. Corey Davis, Assistant State Climatologist for North Carolina. Now, parts of the country had a system that came through last weekend, brought some ice and snow and stuff, and now it looks like parts […]

The new year brings continued questions about possible U.S. beef herd expansion. Scott Varilek of KKV Trading says it’s tough to hold back heifers to begin that expansion when those heifers bring good money to the operation. “That’s the other side. You feel like this is my year to capitalize and to cash in, and […]

With the new year underway, a new president to be sworn in soon, and a new cabinet, many in agriculture are wondering what to expect from Ag Secretary nominee Brooke Rollins. National Potato Council CEO Kam Quarles says the administration appears to be more organized this time around. “When you look at the tempo of […]

LAS VEGAS (AP) — Sustainability is a key theme this year at the annual CES tech trade show in Las Vegas. Agriculture tech is on full display on the show floor while companies big and small also showcase their green innovations and initiatives. That includes Volvo CEO Martin Lundstedt’s vow to reach net-zero emissions by 2040 and Wisconsin-based OshKosh Corporation’s electric fire engines and garbage trucks. John Deere also unveiled a fleet of fully autonomous equipment like tractors that are already in use on some farms and orchards. Some experts say AI is key to the industry’s future as climate change makes farming more unpredictable.

 The cattle market had a great 2024, but Scott Varilek of KKV Trading in Iowa says January typically isn’t the best month to market cattle. “That’s always my least favorite month to sell cattle. It feels like we usually advertise some packers’ kill cuts. They do some of their cooler cleanouts or maintenance, so we […]

President-elect Trump’s cabinet will soon be taking shape, with the Ag industry watching closely. Pam Lewison, Ag Director at the Washington Policy Center, says the pending confirmation of Robert F. Kennedy Jr. as Secretary of Health and Human Services could make the recent debate over our dietary guidelines interesting. “He has shown an unusual interest […]