Author: staff

The National FFA Organization recently announced a partnership with Vivayic, the nation’s largest learning solution provider for agriculture, to create virtual leadership labs. This unprecedented collection of modules will use a challenge-based learning approach to help prepare FFA members for success. Development of these online programs will start this fall, with plans to make the leadership labs available to FFA members by the summer of 2026. “We believe partnering with Vivayic on this project is an exciting step forward in making leadership education more accessible, engaging, and impactful for our members,” said Christine White, chief program officer at National FFA…

As corn and soybeans progress into reproductive stages, midseason scouting is not just a box to check — it’s a key driver of yield protection and return on investment. Timely in-field observation helps identify weeds that escaped early control, diseases emerging under humid conditions, and insect threats that can damage ears, pods, and roots. Watch for Weed Escapes Now is a good time to scout for weed escapes, even though postharvest is the next major control window. Mapping and noting current weed hotspots will help guide next season’s weed management strategy. “Go out and scout those fields,” said Stevan Knezevic,…

DAILY Bites The USDA terminated around 70 foreign contract scientists — mostly Chinese nationals — following a national security review targeting individuals from China, Russia, North Korea, and Iran. The dismissals, combined with a federal hiring freeze through October, may halt agriculture research projects. USDA staff are now prohibited from co-authoring publications or attending events with nationals from the four “countries of concern” without agency approval, raising alarm over the erosion of international scientific cooperation. DAILY Discussion The U.S. Department of Agriculture has announced the termination of approximately 70 foreign researchers employed through contractual arrangements. This decision followed a national…

By Ryan Hanrahan Newsweek’s Hugh Cameron reported that “ground beef prices across the U.S. continue to reach new highs, driven by shrinking cattle herds, with looming import restrictions threatening to push costs even higher.” “According to government data released last week, the average price of a pound of 100% ground beef rose to $6.12 last month, up from $5.98 in May and $5.47 in June 2024,” Cameron reported. “Experts have said this trend shows no signs of slowing, meaning there may be upward pressure on prices through 2026 and beyond.” Courtesy of the Associated Press “The rising cost of staple…

By Gary Schnitkey, Nick Paulson, Jonathan Coppess, and Carl Zulauf We discuss the changes made to the Price Loss Coverage (PLC) and Agriculture Risk Coverage (ARC) programs in the commodity provisions of the budget reconciliation legislation known as the One Big Beautiful Bill Act (OBBBA). For the 2025 crop year, the new commodity title provisions are expected to increase payments by significant amounts. Those payments, however, will not be received until October 2026. Commodity Title Changes In the OBBBA, Congress extended the commodity title programs through 2031, with retroactive changes made to the 2025 commodity year (note: the suspension of…

By Gus Trompiz and Peter Hobson PARIS/CANBERRA, July 16 (Reuters) – Chicago corn futures rose for a third day on Wednesday to extend a recovery from contract lows, with favorable U.S. crop conditions seen as priced in, analysts said. Soybeans also gained ground to move away from a three-month low struck earlier this week, but Chicago wheat inched down to hold around a two-week low from Tuesday. The most-active corn contract on the Chicago Board of Trade (CBOT) was up 1.3% at $4.25¼ a bushel by 1232 GMT. New-crop December futures hit a contract low of $4.07½ on Monday. “Following a…

If you’re looking for a 300–400-hp tractor, the time to buy is now, according to Jon Walker, a sales manager at Baker Implement Company, a Case IH and Kubota dealer, with 14 locations in Missouri and Arkansas.  “Now’s the time to buy, because dealers are willing to do whatever they need to do to move it along,” he said. “They’re itching to sell it, and you’re going to get a better deal on the cash price, a better financing option, and probably even a warranty.” Walker said used prices in his area have dropped considerably for this category of tractors…

The Forest Service has reached 99% of its hiring target for firefighters and is “fully operational” for the upcoming fire season, according to a USDA statement released Monday. This summer is projected to be above average for fire risk. The National Multi-Agency Coordination Group raised the national fire preparedness to Level 4, one below the highest. This is in addition to Agriculture Secretary Brooke Rollins’ cancelation last month of the 2001 Roadless Rule, which prevented road construction, timber harvest and reconstruction on almost 60 million acres within the National Forest System, accounting for 30% of all national forests. In the past, Rollins said the rule…

The Food and Drug Administration is developing a plan to shift more food safety inspection responsibility to state agencies over the course of five years, according to two sources familiar with ongoing talks. But ensuring states receive adequate funds to support the move is uncertain. The White House’s initial budget request suggested moving FDA inspection to state and local governments. While the idea has been discussed for years, a formal plan is now taking shape. States conduct some routine inspection at food facilities through cooperative agreements with FDA. They include about 50% of food manufacturer inspections, 70% of animal food inspections and…

Fresh tariff threats on several of the largest U.S. trading partners run the risk of strengthening the arguments of those in foreign capitals pushing for retaliation, former trade officials say. President Donald Trump has issued a new spate of tariff threats in letters sent to U.S. trade partners over the last week, with economies like Brazil, Canada, Mexico and the European Union facing significant tariff hikes come Aug. 1. Daniel Mullaney, a former U.S. trade official, told Agri-Pulse that moving the goalposts as the U.S. and EU were closing in on a deal gives “ammunition” to EU voices pushing for retaliation. “This…