Top Agriculture News

 A foreign hog disease could cost the industry huge production losses if it makes it to the U.S. Japanese Encephalitis virus is a transboundary disease for hogs and it’s on the move through mosquitos. That’s why the Swine Health Information Center (SHIC) and the Foundation for Food & Agriculture Research are partnering together, looking for […]

TARBORO, N.C., Feb. 21, 2024 – During a visit to Edgecombe County, N.C., a Rural Partners Network community, U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) Secretary Tom Vilsack and White House Domestic Policy Advisor Neera Tanden today announced that USDA is funding 216 projects in 45 states, Puerto Rico, and the Northern Mariana Islands to bring high-speed internet, […]

Soybean prices have been on a continual downward slide for several months. Ben Kasch, account executive for Bower Trading, says the lower trend began in 2023. “Ever since the end of October, first of November, right there before Thanksgiving, we’ve seen our highs, and we’ve been eroding ever since with a pretty favorable weather forecast. […]

What does U.S. ag production ag commodity prices look like for 2024? Agriculture Department Chief Economist Seth Meyer provided the annual outlook starting with how prices support what commodities growers might plant this year. Maybe that prices support soybeans a little bit more than corn. So maybe we move a little bit of area back […]

The Agricultural Foreign Investment Disclosure Act, passed in 1978, provides tracking and monitoring of investment in U.S. Agriculture. However, American Farm Bureau economist Danny Munch says the process is due for an upgrade. “Currently, that process hasn’t been updated in over 40 years. So, USDA has opened public comments to provide input on how the […]

USDA Chief Economist Seth Meyer talked about the state of the ag economy and the headwinds it faces in 2024. During his speech at the 100th Annual Ag Outlook Meeting, he said there are challenges ahead. “We’ve seen a lot of growth in trade for agricultural commodities, for bulk agricultural commodities. Maybe the challenge is […]

There has been much discussion during this farm bill cycle about the need to update MAP and FMD spending levels for commodity programs, including for the U.S. Meat Export Federation efforts to promote beef and pork exports. USMEF President and CEO Dan Halstrom said additional funding would be put to work right away. “I think […]

Smithfield, Va. — Smithfield Foods has named Kraig Westerbeek as president of its hog production operations effective Feb. 29, reporting to President and Chief Executive Officer Shane Smith. “Kraig has been an extremely valuable asset to Smithfield Foods throughout his career,” said Shane Smith, chief executive officer for Smithfield. “His extensive experience in our hog production […]

Applications are now open for the 2024 South Carolina Commissioner’s School for Agriculture. Tell us about this program, Commissioner.

Last week, the 2022 Census of Agriculture was released which provides a snapshot of North Carolina agriculture. Some of the highlights point to positive trends in agriculture, others highlight the continued need to keep our focus on farmland preservation.