Author: staff

By Leah Douglas WASHINGTON, April 14 (Reuters) – The U.S. Department of Agriculture on Monday said it had canceled a $3 billion program for climate-smart farming projects after a review found it did not align with the priorities of the Trump administration. President Donald Trump has attempted to slash other climate efforts approved during the administration of former president Joe Biden, including a $20 billion funding program for projects that reduce greenhouse gases. The Partnership for Climate-Smart Commodities allocated $3 billion to 135 projects in every state that encouraged soil health, carbon sequestration, reduced methane emissions and other climate-friendly practices, according to a project dashboard on the USDA…

Easter is a strange holiday in that it’s constantly moving around on the calendar like a hyperactive mouse who has just consumed its body weight in caffeine. If you were born on the Fourth of July, you would know that your birthday always falls on the fourth. Its day of the week varies from year to year, which means that you are given a three-day weekend every few years to celebrate or recover from your birthday. Not so if you were born on Easter. The formula that determines the dates for Easter involves tracking the phase of the moon and…

Motorists who pass through Amish communities are being reminded to keep their eyes open and be alert for horse-and-buggy drivers after a string of gruesome wrecks left multiple families in mourning — including an incident this weekend in Indiana that left three child dead. Sharing roads with slower-moving traffic like tractors and the Amish is a part of normal life in rural towns, but these recent collisions have served as a reminder just how quickly tragedy can unfold when modern-day traffic collides with vintage transport. In the latest heartbreaking case, three children ages 9, 10, and 13 were killed near…

Kioti Tractor has launched Flow+ technology for its Compact Track Loaders (TL750) and Skid Steer Loaders (SL750) to enhance hydraulic capabilities for operators who need more power than standard flow without the higher cost or fuel consumption of full high-flow systems.  “At KIOTI, we’re committed to developing solutions that maximize the performance of our equipment,” said Justin Moe, product manager – compact construction. “Flow+ bridges the gap between standard and high-flow systems, providing operators with the hydraulic power needed to handle more demanding tasks while improving engine functionality, fuel savings, and overall versatility.”  Designed for light to medium-duty hydraulic attachments, Flow+…

Iowa Republican Governor Kim Reynolds announced on social media Friday that she will not be seeking another term in the farm state’s lead office. Reynolds ascended to the position of governor in 2017 after then-Gov. Terry Branstad took a job with the first Trump Administration as ambassador to China. Reynolds helped introduce the first E15 Access Standard in the U.S. in 2022, a law which enabled Iowans access to ethanol at a reduced price to regular gas. She also was involved in efforts to restrict foreign ownership of farmland, signing a bill into law in April 2024.  Reynolds’ announcement brought…

With Palm Sunday behind us, Easter is quickly approaching — but this year, the holiday basket might look a little different. Easter eggs have remained a tradition for over 700 years, but this year, egg prices have remained stubbornly high, with the national average for a dozen eggs peaking at a record $6.23 in March 2025, according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics. Even as prices ease slightly, many shoppers are still paying over $3 per dozen, leaving some families rethinking their Easter traditions and others clutching their wallets every time they pass the egg section at the grocery store.…

Top Third Ag Marketing helps farmers become better agricultural marketers with the goal of marketing crops and livestock in the top third of prices. Mark Gold and his team provide AGDAILY.com with the latest information and a look ahead in their audio commentary. Listen here! https://www.agdaily.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/04/Top-Third-Agdaily-2025-04-14.mp3 The post Markets in Minutes: Top Third looks ahead for week of April 14, 2025 appeared first on AGDAILY.

U.S. sales of tractors in all classes dropped 13.6% in March 2025 compared to March 2024, according to numbers from the Association of Equipment Manufacturers (AEM). “We are thrilled to see this growth in Canadian equipment sales, however, the drop in agricultural tractor and combines in the U.S. reflect the complex challenges facing the market,” said Curt Blades, senior vice president of AEM. “There is uncertainty due to tariffs and the overall ag economy. The resilience and adaptability we’ve seen from agricultural equipment manufacturers keeps us optimistic about the long-term future of this market. AEM looks forward to continuing to…

The National 4-H Council has named its 2025 class of 4-H Luminaries — a group of leaders from agriculture, business, technology, and education who will help support the organization’s goal of preparing young people for success in life and work. These individuals will work with 4-H to raise awareness of the program’s efforts to equip youth with practical skills and experiences. They’ll also help expand access to programs aimed at reaching 10 million young people across the country. Dr. Monique Chism, Under Secretary for Education at the Smithsonian Institution Chism oversees the Smithsonian’s education programs and works to bring the…

I was honored to attend an event at the North Carolina governor’s mansion in February as Governor Josh Stein proclaimed it to be North Carolina Sweet Potato Month, coinciding with National Sweet Potato Month. During a reception at the executive mansion, farmers mingled with other industry stakeholders and elected members of the General Assembly. I was one of those stakeholders through my role at the North Carolina Department of Agriculture. Several of my coworkers attended, in addition to representatives from North Carolina Farm Bureau, North Carolina State University, and North Carolina Cooperative Extension. The Executive Chef outdid himself preparing several…