Author: staff

The U.S. Senate began reconsidering legislation on Wednesday that seeks to clarify the labeling and definition of cheese products. Originally introduced on March 27, 2023, the Codifying Useful Regulatory Definitions (CURD) Act aims to amend the Federal Food, Drug, and Cosmetic Act by formally defining the term “natural cheese.” Sponsored by Sens. Ron Johnson (R-Wis.), Ron Wyden (D-Ore.), James Risch (R-Idaho), Tammy Baldwin (D-Wis.), Mike Crapo (R-Idaho), and Bernard Sanders (I-Vt.), the bill is intended to emphasize transparency and consistency in the dairy industry. “Wisconsin’s dairy farmers and cheesemakers work hard to produce high-quality cheese products that are known across the globe…

Do you know how to tell popular Christmas tree varieties apart? We’ll show you! Which tree will your family choose? Balsam Fir The best way to tell different Christmas tree varieties apart is by the look of their needles and branches. A balsam fir tree will have dense, dark-green needles. The top of the tree will be much more slender than the bottom half. The look of a balsam’s needles will be different depending on how old the branch is. The needles will be shorter and curved upward and will usually have a sort of notch at then end. Douglas…

Garlic is adept at repelling rabbits, deer, and the occasional vampire horde … so why not nematodes as well? Bayer is banking on some of these more potent properties and has signed an exclusive distribution agreement with UK-based Ecospray to market a biological liquid nematicide sourced from garlic. The product presents a biological alternative to traditional synthetic chemical nematicides in vegetable and potato crops, and will be marketed in the European Union under the new name Velsinum. Nematodes cause over 75 billion euros worth of damage to crops globally each year, with all crops facing at least one nematode pest…

Farmer ingenuity comes in many forms: reusing materials to give them a second life, creating tools for very specific uses, and making typically fixed items portable. These ideas from farmers appear in the All Around the Farm pages in Successful Farming magazine. Below are a collection that are particularly helpful for farm shops. 1. Hog Panel Storage Rack Hog panels are the perfect size to use for organizing our farm feed room. You can cut individual rods and bend them out to make a paper towel holder or a hanger for boots, gloves, and hats. You can also mount a…

Ranchers entrust managers with one of their most valuable assets: their livestock. This trust forms the backbone of operations, as managers oversee daily care, monitor herds, and ensure the ranch runs smoothly.  However, this trust can be shattered when individuals exploit their position for personal gain, leaving ranchers vulnerable to significant losses. In Hughes County, Oklahoma, a 60-year-old from Stuart named Darrel Bernard Morris was arrested on Jan. 8. in conjunction with livestock thefts. Texas & Southwestern Cattle Raisers Association Special Rangers Cody Hyde and Gavin Gatrell uncovered evidence revealing that they said points toward Morris having stolen 83 yearling…

When Brooke Rollins was announced in late November as the nominee for U.S. Secretary of Agriculture, she was widely seen as a bit of a mystery. Today, in front of the Senate’s Committee on Agriculture, Nutrition, and Forestry, the nation got the opportunity to hear how she will tackle the mounting challenges facing America’s farmers, from a lingering farm bill and international trade to rural development and scientific research. “Agriculture is surpassingly important to us as a nation,” Rollins said. “I fully recognize that, if I am confirmed, I am stepping into the role during one of the most economically…

By Ryan Hanrahan Reuters Ella Cao, and Mei Mei Chu reported on Monday that “China’s soybean imports from the United States dropped 5.7% in 2024 from the previous year and were replaced by Brazilian and Argentine shipments, as fears of a renewed Sino-US trade war further hammered the US market share to under a quarter.” “China imported a record 105.03 million metric tons of the oilseed in 2024 ahead of the inauguration of President Donald Trump, whose threats of blanket 60% tariffs on all Chinese goods sparked concerns over disruptions to agriculture trade,” Reuters reported. “Total shipments from the US…

Caregiving is a common role in agriculture, yet it becomes more challenging when medical diagnoses necessitate taking on care of loved ones. The emotional, physical, and mental toll can be overwhelming — whether you’re tending to a parent with health concerns, raising children with special needs, or navigating personal health struggles. For many caregivers, the constant juggling of responsibilities leaves little room for self-care, leading to burnout. Jackie Sanford, Heather Lifsey, and Becky Heim are three women balancing caregiving for their loved ones with their own well-being, families, and careers in agriculture. Their stories offer valuable firsthand insights into the…

In the last seven days alone, another winter storm and an arctic burst have worked their way across the United States — adding to a very active January of winter weather.  While there were warnings of a potential storm coming through the Gulf Coast, the snow and cold temperatures — labeled by AccuWeather as “once in a generation” — caused upwards of $14 billion in damages, experts at the weather bureau said late Tuesday afternoon. In some areas of the region, blizzard warnings were issued for the first time in recorded history in anticipation of the storm. Parts of southeast…

Tahja Sims, an agricultural economics major and senior at Texas A&M University, has been hired as AGDAILY’s 2025 diversity issues intern, covering a broad range of perspectives and news related to marginalized communities in agriculture. The internship, now in its fourth year and lasting through December 2025, is part of a partnership AGDAILY has with American Farmland Trust. Sims was at the top of a highly qualified group of applicants for 2025 — arguably the most competitive ever. Sims is a member of the Minorities in Agriculture, Natural Resources and Related Sciences (MANRRS) organization, serving as chapter historian and social…