Author: staff

Declining income expectations helped to push farmer sentiment down again in September as the Purdue University-CME Group Ag Economy Barometer Index fell 12 points to 88. Both of the barometer’s sub-indices, the Index of Current Conditions and the Index of Future Expectations, declined as well. The Current Conditions Index fell 7 points to 76, and the Future Expectations Index dropped 14 points to 94. These were the weakest barometer and future expectations readings since March 2016, when the farm economy was in the throes of an economic downturn. The current conditions assessment very nearly matched that of April 2020, when COVID concerns were top of mind for U.S. farmers.…

Drexel, Mo. — On a recent fall day, as Wilburn Harris did the rounds on his cattle farm in the Missouri town of Drexel, he was met with brown grass, cracked soil and half-empty ponds. He was used to it. Last year’s drought was so bad, he had to haul water and hay to his farm to keep the animals fed and watered. Payments totaling nearly $11,000 from the federal Livestock Forage Disaster Program, or LFP, helped him hold on to his 70 cattle. “If it hadn’t been for [the Livestock Forage Disaster Program], I’d probably got rid of a…

Livestock production is an important component of U.S. agriculture, with global demand for meat and dairy expected to double in the coming decades. This increase will lead to intensified grazing on U.S. grasslands, potentially exacerbating water quality degradation from livestock waste runoff into waterways. A new study from the University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign examines the combined influence of grazing and climate on the outflow of nitrogen from pastures into water resources under different grazing schemes. The researchers conclude that climate conditions could mitigate the effects of grazing on water quality, and that producers should consider weather when making decisions about…

On Thursday, Sept. 26, Hurricane Helene made landfall in Florida as a devastating Category 4 hurricane before making its way through Georgia in the early hours of the morning on Sept. 27 and downgrading to a tropical storm affecting South Carolina, North Carolina, Kentucky, and Tennessee — with deep, disastrous impacts across agricultural sectors. In the aftermath of Hurricane Helene, communities across the Southeast, from Florida to Georgia, through the Carolinas to Virginia and Tennessee, are picking up the pieces. The devastation in rural and farm communities has been widespread, and it will be weeks — possibly months — before…

Dairy farmers have a new tool that will help them enhance efficiency and sustainability while accommodating changing regulations that affect their operations. Launched today and available for customer registration, the Milk Sustainability Center from John Deere and DeLaval is an innovative digital ecosystem that integrates agronomic and animal performance into one unified platform. Dairy farmers can use the Milk Sustainability Center to monitor nutrient use efficiency (NUE) and carbon dioxide equivalent across their farm, herd, and fields. The center collects animal and agronomic data, providing insights to help farmers manage nutrient utilization effectively and reduce the need for manual data…

On October 1, 2024, dockworkers from the East and Gulf Coasts began their first large-scale strike since 1977 following the breakdown of labor talks between the International Longshoremen’s Association and the United States Maritime Alliance. The ILA, representing around 45,000 workers, called for the strike after negotiations failed to resolve issues concerning wages and job protections related to automation. “We are prepared to fight as long as necessary, to stay out on strike for whatever period of time it takes, to get the wages and protections against automation our ILA members deserve,” said Harold Dagget, leader of the ILA, signaling…

Arthur Schubarth, an 81-year-old rancher from Vaughn, Montana, was sentenced to six months in federal prison for orchestrating a nearly decade-long wildlife trafficking scheme. Schubarth illegally bred hybrid sheep using tissue from protected species to sell at premium prices to game preserves, primarily in Texas. His actions, which violated both federal law and international treaties, have drawn attention due to their potential harm to native wildlife populations. Schubarth’s scheme involved using tissue from the Marco Polo argali sheep, a species native to Central Asia, protected under the Endangered Species Act. These animals are banned in Montana to prevent disease and…

Land O’Lakes, the butter giant, stole the spotlight during Fall/Winter Fashion Week with its ‘Farmcore’ campaign, celebrating the importance of rural farmers in America. Through an innovative showcase in Paris, Wisconsin, the brand engaged consumers and highlighted the local impact of its farmer-owners. “We believe in shining a light on the incredible impact Land O’Lakes farmers make — they are at the heart of everything we do,” said Elizabeth Nelson, Director of Brand Marketing at Land O’Lakes. The event, produced in collaboration with the creative agency Battery, featured a “Farmcore-to-Table” runway, where models donned authentic Farmcore attire sourced from the…

Agricultural mechanics is a vital sector within the farming industry, focused on the repair, maintenance, and development of the machinery and equipment essential for modern agriculture. As farms grow more technologically advanced, the demand for skilled mechanics continues to rise. From tractors to irrigation systems, ag mechanics ensure that farmers can maximize efficiency, minimize downtime, and keep operations running smoothly. Here are the top 10 jobs in agricultural mechanics that are shaping the future of farming. 1. Farm Equipment Technician Farm equipment technicians are the backbone of ag mechanics. These professionals specialize in maintaining and repairing essential farm machinery such…

On July 31, farmers who had been discriminated against from U.S. Department of Agriculture loans prior to January 2021 received justice. More than 43,000 payments were made to farmers across the United States, including Puerto Rico, Virgin Islands, and the District of Columbia, totaling $2 billion through the Inflation Reduction Act’s Financial Assistance Programs. The forms of discrimination being addressed in the application for reparation included race, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, and religion. Black farmers were also included in these reparations. “Given the severe discrimination Black farmers have faced — as made evident by the nearly $326 billion dollars…