Top Agriculture News

USDA’s biannual Cattle Inventory Report shows the nation’s cattle herd at 87.2 million head, down roughly two percent from last year and the lowest herd size in 73 years. American Farm Bureau Federation Economist Bernt Nelson says it’s all because of recent droughts. “The combination of higher input prices and drought drove farmers and ranchers […]

WASHINGTON, Feb. 7, 2024 – Today, the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s (USDA) Economic Research Service released its annual Farm Sector Income Forecast report for 2024. Agriculture Secretary Tom Vilsack issued the following statement:  “After the three highest consecutive years on record in 2021-2023, the first farm income forecast of 2024 indicates net farm income this year will return to prior […]

The early arrival of West Nile Virus (WNV) to South Carolina resulted in the Jan. 22 euthanasia of a horse in Charleston County. The horse was not vaccinated and had no pasture mates. According to Clemson University animal health officials, the mosquito-borne disease is about two months ahead of schedule, brought on by a wet, […]

Farmer sentiment took a downturn at the start of 2024 as the January Purdue University-CME Group Ag Economy Barometer Index fell to a reading of 106, eight points below a month earlier. Compared to year end, producers had a more negative outlook of their farms’ current situation along with a weakened outlook for the future. […]

Planning for your legacy can be a difficult mental exercise especially for a farmer or rancher, but it’s absolutely necessary. Alan Trask is an attorney with Ward and Smith and heads up their agriculture law team in Wilmington, North Carolina. He suggests a few steps starting with asking clients how they’re positioned to enjoy their […]

Crop insurers gathered this week for the industry’s annual convention in Arizona, where they committed to building on the success of crop insurance to strengthen the farm safety net. Scott Arnold is the chair of National Crop Insurance Services (NCIS) and chairman of Rain and Hail, the largest crop insurance provider in the United States. […]

The popular CattleFax Outlook Seminar, held as part of the 2024 Cattle Industry Convention and NCBA Trade Show in Orlando, Florida, shared expert market and weather analysis today. The smallest beef cow inventory in the last 50 years, coupled with historically strong demand, led to the highest average fed cattle and calf prices in 2023. […]

Bill Northey, a long-time agriculture industry figure and former USDA official in the Trump administration, has died. The 64-year-old was serving as the CEO of the Agribusiness Association of Iowa. Northey grew up on an Iowa family farm. He served as president of the National Corn Growers Association, three terms as the Iowa agriculture secretary, […]

Ag Development Forum, NC State Fairgrounds, Raleigh, February 1, 2024 Challenges facing agriculture and agribusiness Community colleges have the unique ability to quickly customize programs and training for industry needs.  Agriculture in practice involves a great deal of specialized technology.  Agriculture is our state’s largest industry and community colleges can adapt their very successful customized […]

Applications are open for the ACRE Advanced program. Tell us about it, Commissioner. Yes, Mike. SCDA founded the Agribusiness Center for Research and Entrepreneurship (ACRE) in 2018 to help identify and nurture new ideas and agribusinesses in South Carolina. A cornerstone of ACRE is the Advanced Entrepreneurship program, in which we seek entrepreneurs to push […]