Author: staff

The orange-and-black monarch butterfly, known for migrating thousands of miles, would be protected as a threatened species under a proposal by the Interior Department on Tuesday. The monarch population has dropped by 80% since the 1980s due to loss of habitat, exposure to pesticides, and climate change. “The iconic monarch butterfly is cherished across North America, captivating children and adults throughout its fascinating lifecycle. Despite its fragility, it is remarkably resilient, like many things in nature when we just give them a chance,” said Martha Williams, director of the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service. Along with designating the butterfly as…

March corn ended the day down less than a penny at $4.48¼ per bushel. January soybeans closed up less than a penny at $9.95½ per bushel. March wheat contracts closed mixed. CBOT wheat ended the day up 1½¢ at $5.63¼ per bushel. KC wheat was up 1½¢ at $5.67¼ per bushel. Minneapolis wheat was unchanged at $6.06½ per bushel. February live cattle ended the day up $2.35 at $191.38 per hundredweight (cwt). January feeder cattle closed up $1.73 at $259.05 per cwt. February lean hogs closed down 20¢ at $84.38 per cwt. January crude oil is currently up $1.79. December…

Mike Trotter says he didn’t even own a tractor when he and his wife, Judy, joined the Peach State Antique Tractor and Engine Club nearly 20 years ago. In fact, it was his oldest son-in-law who invited them to join the group. Consequently, he’s quick to credit his fellow tractor club members for getting him hooked on tractors and providing tips and advice when needed. “We certainly owe a debt of gratitude to all the friends, family, and members of the Peach State tractor club who helped us get started,” Mike says. “We can’t thank them enough.” He also credits…

DAILY Bites Family farms make up 96% of U.S. farms, contributing 83% of agricultural production in 2023. Small farms dominate in number but large-scale farms, just 4%, produce 48% of total value. Off-farm income, precision agriculture, and government programs sustain family farm resilience. DAILY Discussion In a landscape defined by diversity and technological progress, family farms continue to serve as the foundation of U.S. agriculture. Representing 96 represent of all farms and accounting for 83 percent of total agricultural production in 2023, according to a December report released by the U.S. Department of Agriculture, showing that family-owned operations are vital…

DAILY Bites Recycling excreta could meet 13% of crop nutrient needs and cut fertilizer imports significantly. This approach promotes sustainability by reducing pollution from nutrient runoff into water sources, such as harmful algal blooms, and helps establish a circular economy between food consumption and agriculture. Addressing public perception challenges and leveraging this recycling method can enhance global food security for a growing population. DAILY Discussion Recycling human and animal excreta has the potential to significantly reduce the need for traditional mineral fertilizers while supporting global crop production, according to a study published in Nature Sustainability. This innovative approach could alleviate…

DAILY Bites A highly pathogenic avian influenza outbreak was confirmed at a Michael Foods third-party egg-laying facility in Iowa, impacting 4.5 million hens — 12% of Post Holdings’ controlled egg supply. Despite this, Post Holdings reaffirmed its fiscal year 2025 Adjusted EBITDA guidance of $1,41 million to $1,46 million, citing the incident as within anticipated financial tolerances. The outbreak highlights ongoing challenges for the egg industry, with 26 million hens affected by HPAI nationwide in 2024, contributing to supply disruptions and egg price volatility. DAILY Discussion Post Holdings Inc. has announced a confirmed case of highly pathogenic avian influenza at one of…

On Tuesday, the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (USFWS) announced that it is seeking public input on a proposal to list the monarch butterfly as a threatened species under section 4(d) of the Endangered Species Act. Public comments on the proposal will be accepted until March 12, at which time the Service will evaluate and determine whether to list the monarch butterfly. Various farmer groups have since responded to the announcement. National Corn Growers Association The National Corn Growers Association (NCGA) is a farmer-led trade organization that represents the interests of more than 300,000 farmers. In a statement released on…

U.S. sales of tractors in all classes dropped 14.5% in November 2024, compared to the same time last year, according to numbers from the Association of Equipment Manufacturers (AEM). “November’s sales of Ag tractors and combines follow the same pattern of the last few months of softness in the market,” says Curt Blades, senior vice president at AEM. “This slowdown in sales can be traced back to high interest rates and uncertainty in the overall ag economy.” November continued the downward trend in overall tractor and combine sales, with every month in 2024 falling below the five-year average (2019-2023).  Tractor…

Earlier this year I had the opportunity to visit a Palm Beach County, Florida, sugar cane farm with the Florida Sugar Cane League, which hosts tours to connect non-farming residents with local farmers. I joined a group of seniors from a residential neighborhood in the southern part of the county. I’d never seen sugar cane before, so the trip was eye opening for me. While this doesn’t begin to cover everything I learned, here are seven things I discovered about sugar cane. 1. Palm Beach County leads the nation in sugar cane farming. When I think of Palm Beach, beautiful…

Bioengineering is one of the modern era’s most powerful tools to address food insecurity, climate change, and other sustainability issues. But our ability to bring these transformative crops to market was just dealt a major blow. Early in December, the Northern California District Court vacated rules adopted in 2020 by the U.S. Department of Agriculture through its Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service (APHIS). The lawsuit, brought by anti-bioengineering activists (pretending to be worried about family farms), reinstates a regulatory framework in place since 1986, while the technology was only in its infancy — and not yet even commercially available.…