Author: staff

The Agriculture Department’s new farm security plan should help strengthen federal efforts to track foreign influence over U.S. agriculture, but it could be hampered by a lack of personnel, policy experts tell Agri-Pulse. “It does set a marker to put [federal] agencies on record to make sure they prioritize programs that address real national security issues like bioterrorism” and other nations’ efforts “to do things to harm our agricultural industries here domestically,” said Nova Daly, a senior public adviser at Wiley, a major law firm in Washington. “Make no mistake about it, China is looking for vulnerabilities in the U.S., including…

When a promising young athlete has a father who was also a standout player, the pressure to live up to those expectations can be immense. Peyton and Eli Manning both had better careers than their father, Archie, and they’ll go down in history as all-time great passers. On the other hand, sometimes the expectation can be crushing. Walter Payton’s son Jarrett, despite his best efforts, was never able to do what his dad did as a running back. He just didn’t have it. Well, the AC 220 was sort of in the same boat. It wasn’t just another big rowcrop…

By Cami Koons Farmers on a virtual town hall with Iowa Farmers Union talked Thursday about the strong partnership they have had with USDA, and the fears they have about the programs being cut in federal budgets.  Programs from USDA have helped farmers to diversify their operations, find consistent markets, and implement practices that protect water quality and build soil health, though some could be trimmed or cut by congressional budgets.  According to a Politico analysis of the president’s budget proposal, USDA could see a near $7 billion budget reduction for fiscal year 2026, depending on how closely U.S. lawmakers follow the…

By Mary Steurer A new lawsuit filed by a group of independent North Dakota ranchers alleges that Gov. Kelly Armstrong and private associations have too much power over who serves on the North Dakota Beef Commission’s board. The primary role of the Beef Commission is to decide how to use the money the state raises through checkoffs. Checkoffs are a small fee that ranchers pay on cattle sales. The proceeds are used for promoting beef consumption and research and education. Beef producers pay $1 to the state and $1 to the federal government in checkoffs for each head of cattle…

1. Sharp Increase in Corn and Soybean Markets Shortly after 6:00 a.m. CT, December corn was up 6¾¢ at $4.27¾ per bushel. November soybeans were 13¾¢ higher at $10.40¼ per bushel. December soymeal was $3.70 more to $287.20 a short ton, and December soy oil increased 0.37¢ to 56.52¢ a pound. September wheat markets were mixed in the early morning. CBOT wheat was up 9½¢ at $5.43 per bushel. KC wheat jumped 12¼¢ at $5.29¾ per bushel. Minneapolis wheat fell 1¾¢ at $5.78¼ per bushel. “Winter wheat harvest is progressing with no negative surprises yet. The spring wheat crop tour…

By Cami Koons PepsiCo and Cargill have announced plans to expand sustainable farming practices on 240,000 acres of Iowa cropland by 2030.  The brands will partner with Practical Farmers of Iowa, which will give technical and financial support to farmers as they implement practices like cover crops, reduced tillage, and steps to reduce nitrogen application on their operations.  According to a press release from PepsiCo, the effort will center on the “shared corn supply chain” in Iowa, from which Cargill produces ingredients for PepsiCo products. PepsiCo, in addition to soda brands, owns products like Lay’s, Doritos, Cheetos, and more.  “Together, the companies…

The Trump administration said ag would be exempt from immigration raids, then said “no amnesty” will be shown for those employed in agriculture. Agri-Pulse Newsmakers spoke with Rep. Andrea Salinas, a Democratic Congresswoman representing Oregon’s Willamette Valley, about the strain this uncertainty is putting on her district’s producers, as well as how staff reductions at the Forest Service could impact wildfire fighting abilities. Then, Rebeckah Adcock with the International Fresh Produce Association discussed her industry’s trade concerns as President Trump’s reciprocal tariff rate increase looms on August 1, and Michael Marsh with the National Council of Agricultural Employers discussed what…

Todd Hanten discusses shifting from dairy to a feedlot, the secret to retaining employees for decades, and how smart logistics are taking his family’s 130-year-old farm into the future in this episode of the 15 Minutes With a Farmer podcast. Meet Todd Hanten Fourth-generation South Dakota farmer Todd Hanten said diversication — including producing corn, soybeans, and spring wheat, and running a cattle feedlot — is a key to his farm’s success. In this episode, he reflected on his decision to exit the dairy industry after his kids left for college and how he restructured the farm to create a…

By Leah Douglas WASHINGTON, July 18 – The USDA said it has fired 70 foreign contract researchers after a national security review intended to secure the U.S. food supply from adversaries including China, Russia, North Korea, and Iran. “USDA has completed a thorough review of individuals authorized to work on contracts with the department and identified approximately 70 individuals from countries of concern,” a spokesperson said. “The individuals working on these contracts from countries of concern will no longer be able to work on USDA projects.” U.S. Agriculture Secretary Brooke Rollins on July 8 had announced a farm security plan that included efforts to…

Ohio is a tale of disparate weather this year by area. USDA published the latest Crop Progress report on Monday, July 14. Here’s a closer look at recent weather and the status of Ohio’s most important crops in mid-July. Weather In Seneca county, in north-central Ohio, Steve Berlekamp raises corn and soybeans with his daughter, and said he hasn’t seen a year this bad in his 71 years. He said they got 5 inches of rain in one week in mid June and it’s been a deluge ever since.  The cold, wet spring delayed his planting until right before the June 5…