Author: staff

The grocery aisle is a battlefield of buzzwords. “Organic.” “All-natural.” “Non-GMO.” And lately, the new darling of the label wars is: “Made with real cane sugar.” It’s a marketing strategy that plays on nostalgia and health perception. Soda companies swap out high-fructose corn syrup (HFCS) for cane sugar, then slap a wholesome-looking banner across the label. But the stark reality is that, when it comes to your metabolism and your body’s perception of the two, cane sugar and corn syrup are nearly indistinguishable. Without further ado, here’s why swapping HFCS for sugar isn’t the nutritional upgrade it pretends to be…

By Ella Cao, Yukun Zhang, and Kevin Yao BEIJING, July 24 (Reuters) – China has pledged to increase financial investment to stabilize grain and other key agricultural product production, a government statement showed on Thursday, as part of its broader rural revitalization and food security strategy. The government vowed to support the planting, purchase, sales, and processing of soybean and oilseed, the statement jointly issued by the central bank and the agriculture ministry showed. China has intensified efforts to boost domestic grain output and diversify imports to secure food supplies for its 1.4 billion people and reduce the risk of disruptions amid ongoing trade tensions…

By Joyce Lee and Hyunjoo Jin SEOUL, July 23 (Reuters) – Seoul will take a close look at the terms of a U.S.-Japan trade deal, South Korea’s industry minister said on Wednesday, holding out the prospect of greater cooperation in the energy and industrial sectors ahead of key trade talks in Washington. Japan and South Korea, manufacturing powerhouses and key U.S. security allies, compete in areas such as autos and steel, so Tokyo’s trade deal will pile pressure on Seoul to reach a similar level of 15%, or better, by an August 1 deadline to avert reciprocal U.S. tariffs of 25%. “Investors see the…

The USDA released data on corn silking for the week ending July 20, 2025, in its latest Crop Progress report. While the top 18 corn producing states are only 2% behind the five-year average, four states are behind by 5 or more points. Here’s a look at those states: Colorado Corn silking in Colorado jumped 15 points from the week ending July 13, reaching 20%. Despite the gain, the crop still trails the five-year average of 29% by 9 points. Indiana In the Hoosier State, 55% of the corn is silking. While that’s a 24-point increase from the week ending…

By Ethan Wang and Ryan Woo BEIJING, July 23 (Reuters) – China’s Vice Premier He Lifeng will visit Sweden from July 27–30 for a new round of economic and trade talks with U.S. officials, the Chinese commerce ministry said on Wednesday. Both sides will continue consultations based on the principles of “mutual respect, peaceful coexistence, and win-win cooperation,” the ministry said in a statement. U.S. Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent said on Tuesday that he will meet with Chinese officials in Stockholm to discuss a deadline extension for negotiating a trade deal, while describing trade with China as “in a good place.” China faces an August 12 deadline…

The condition of the nation’s spring wheat is widely varied, according to the latest Crop Progress report from USDA. In one state, 87% of the crop was in good/excellent condition, while in another, just 7% of the crop was rated good/excellent. Here’s a closer look at spring wheat conditions in the six states that grow it, from best to worst. Minnesota The spring wheat in Minnesota was rated the best in the country, by far, by the USDA. As of July 20, 87% of the state’s crop was rated good/excellent. Only 10% was rated fair, and 3% was rated poor.…

Today, the House Committee on Agriculture met to discuss the national effects of California’s Proposition 12, a ballot initiative that places strict limits on the housing conditions of poultry and swine, leading to what many fear are rising prices and greater food insecurity. Because the law applies to all products sold in California, even if not produced there, the mandate has forced farmers across the country to spend millions rebuilding their facilities to become “California-compliant.” Last month, the Trump administration, with the backing of the Department of Justice has filed a lawsuit to challenge Prop 12. “The most important thing…

As crops push into peak growth stages, the window for in-season nutrient applications is open. Taking a proactive, data-informed approach to nutrient decisions during the season can increase yield, reduce environmental risk and increase economic resilience. “We often focus so much on what goes down pre-plant that we forget the crop’s biggest appetite hits mid-season,” said Steve Carlsen, director of proprietary products for CHS. “It’s like giving your crop breakfast and expecting it to power through the day without lunch or dinner.” Timing and Testing Natalina Sents Bausch Corn nutrient demands surge around V10, making the period leading up to…

A Knights Landing-based farm is taking legal action after the July 1 “Oakdale Fire,” a deadly fireworks explosion south of Esparto that is reported to have leveled crops, razed equipment, and claimed seven lives. In a civil complaint filed in Yolo County Superior Court, Etta James Farming LLC alleges negligence and other claims against several entities and individuals they say were responsible for the disaster. According to the lawsuit, the blaze erupted after a series of massive explosions at a fireworks warehouse near County Roads 23 and 86A in Esparto, which the lawsuit describes as the site of “an unlawful…

A new association launched this week to help farmers navigate renewable energy projects: the Renewable Energy Farmers of America (REFA). The farmer-led nonprofit organization was started to give landowners the knowledge, education, and connections they need to make decisions about wind and solar farms, high-voltage transmission lines, and battery storage projects. “There was a real gap in support for landowners trying to navigate renewable energy projects on their own,” said Jeff Risley, executive director at REFA. “We saw the potential to bring farmers and ranchers together into a network where they can learn from each other, access tangible services, and…