Author: staff

American Farmland Trust provides technical support and financial resources to underserved farming communities in California California’s agricultural landscape is as diverse as its population, yet many underserved farming communities — including women, LGBTQIA+, Native American, Hmong, Latino, and Punjabi farmers — face significant barriers to success. American Farmland Trust is working hard to address these challenges by providing technical support and financial resources tailored to their needs. This approach throughout key areas in the San Joaquin Valley and Central Coast shows a commitment to engaging directly with farmers in meaningful and impactful ways. It also is rooted in understanding the…

It’s clear that individual states have different concerns and priorities about the U.S. imposing tariffs and the potential reciprocal actions by the affected nations. Nestled adjacent to the nation’s Capitol and boasting the Port of Hampton Roads, the 10th largest port in the U.S., Virginia is bracing to feel the impact. One expert suggests that Virginia farms could face both immediate and long-term economic consequences because of the tariff battles with Canada, Mexico, and China. “U.S.-imposed tariffs on key agricultural imports, such as potash from Canada, increase costs and disrupt deliveries for agribusiness firms. These firms, especially those relying on…

For the fifth year in a row, Farmers Business Network (FBN) has published its Planting Intentions Report for major crops including corn, soybeans, and wheat. FBN’s estimates were derived from a survey of almost 1,000 U.S. farmers that represent 2 million acres of total production. These survey results were published less than a week before USDA is set to release its latest projections in the Prospective Plantings report scheduled for March 31, 2025. Grain and commodity markets are known to swing dramatically based on this report. “With the tremendous uncertainty in the farm economy today, we’re proud to provide insights…

Change has become a constant in agriculture: market fluctuations, artificial intelligence, regulations, and tariffs, just to name a few. Some change is easier to accept, some is painful — but change happens at an increasingly rapid pace. Stress often accompanies change because we aren’t naturally adept at it. But rest assured — change is the norm. Instead of dreading it, why not identify how you can control your reaction to it? Life changes “Life is going to change, and it’s not always going to change for the better. You figure how to change with it,” says Katie Coyne, former Progressive…

As climate change fuels increasingly severe weather, hailstorms are becoming a major threat to global food production, and experts are warning that the agricultural sector isn’t prepared. According to the latest figures from the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration, the U.S. saw 5,373 significant hail events in 2024, a 43 percent rise compared to 2021.  Image courtesy of KISTERS States such as Texas (878), Kansas (437), and Nebraska (372) are among the hardest hit.  With hail damage now costing upwards of $15 billion a year across homes, vehicles, and crops, farmers are being urged to adapt. One organization tracking these shifts closely is…

Ahead of 9:30 a.m. CT, May corn was down less than a penny at $4.50½ per bushel. May soybeans were up 12¾¢ at $10.13¾ per bushel. May wheat contracts were mixed. CBOT wheat was down 1¼¢ at $5.34 per bushel. KC wheat was up 2¢ at $5.67. Minneapolis wheat was up 4¢ at $5.89¼. Naomi Blohm, senior market advisor at Total Farm Marketing, said corn is oversold going into Monday, when USDA is expected to release the annual Prospective Plantings and quarterly Grain Stocks reports. The Prospective Plantings report will include estimates for 2025/2026 corn, soybean, and wheat acres. She…

Following a judge’s order, many USDA employees were reinstated after layoffs in February, but the Trump administration is moving forward with plans to reduce the federal workforce Following judges’ orders, the U.S. Department of Agriculture has begun reinstating employees who were fired en masse in February. But now, many of those workers who are being paid not to perform any duties fear that another shoe will drop. The uncertainty over their futures comes as Elon Musk and the Trump administration chainsaw the federal workforce. Judges have ruled the mass terminations were unlawful, but the administration is moving forward with plans…

By Jarrett Renshaw NEW YORK, March 27 (Reuters) – U.S. President Donald Trump’s administration has asked oil and biofuels producers to hash out a deal on the next phase of the nation’s biofuels policy to avoid the kind of political clashes that marked his first term, according to four people familiar with the matter. Big Oil and the Farm Belt’s biofuels makers are traditional competitors for share in the multibillion-dollar U.S. gasoline market. They have repeatedly fought over details of the U.S. Renewable Fuel Standard, a program that requires billions of gallons of corn-based ethanol and other biofuels to be blended into the country’s fuel supply. The White House directive has…

The new JLG telehandlers are purpose-built for the needs of farmers and ranchers, designed with greater maneuverability and versatility compared to their industrial counterparts. The JLG Agriculture telehandler lineup includes: AG313: Compact unit with 3,500-pound capacity and 13-foot maximum height.AG519: Mid-size unit with 5,000-pound capacity and 19-foot maximum height.AG823: Heavy-duty model with 8,000-pound capacity and 23-foot maximum height.AG832: Extended-reach model with 8,000-pound capacity and 32-foot maximum height.AG925: High-capacity model with 9,000-pound capacity and 25-foot maximum height. “After 50 years as the market leader in access equipment for construction tasks, we’re leveraging our product expertise to deliver innovative solutions for the…

By Renee Hickman CHICAGO, March 26 (Reuters) – Chicago corn futures dipped on Wednesday as traders anticipated a U.S. Department of Agriculture data release showing a significant uptick in corn acreage in 2025. Wheat futures fell on continuing Russia-Ukraine talks around the Black Sea, and soybeans rose on expectations of lower acreage this year. The most active corn contract Cv1 on the Chicago Board of Trade (CBOT) was down 3 cents at $4.54-3/4 per bushel at 12:05 p.m. (1705 GMT) , having reached their lowest point since March 6. Soybeans Sv1 were up 3-1/4 cents at $10.05 a bushel. The most-active wheat contract Wv1 was down 4-3/4 cents at $5.38-1/2 a…