Author: staff

DAILY Bites Foreign-held U.S. agricultural land increased by 1.58 million acres in 2022-2023, with renewable energy projects driving much of the growth. Canada remains the largest foreign investor, owning 33.5 percent of all foreign-held U.S. agricultural land, while Chinese ownership has declined to just 0.02 percent. The USDA imposed $1.2 million in penalties for AFIDA violations in 2024, signaling heightened scrutiny of foreign land acquisitions. DAILY Discussion Foreign ownership of U.S. agricultural land, including timberland, remains a topic of debate and concern due to its implications for national security and economic stability. New data for 2022 and 2023 reveals a…

DAILY Bites JBS USA Food Co. has agreed to provide $4 million to assist individuals and communities affected by unlawful child labor practices, with funds supporting scholarships, job training, and community organizations. The company has ended contracts with Packers Sanitation Services and introduced strict compliance measures, including a zero-tolerance policy for child labor violations in its supply chain. JBS will host industry-wide child labor prevention symposiums, hire a compliance specialist, and implement community outreach and training programs to raise awareness and prevent illegal youth employment. DAILY Discussion The U.S. Department of Labor has entered into an agreement with JBS USA…

The placement of all major tools, metal racks, and parts storage readily supports work on the shop’s 5×7-foot welding table. That table is positioned for efficient flow of materials and support of larger fabrication chores that take place in the work bay located behind the Langels’ shop door. “We do a great deal of repairs as well as fabrication, ranging from livestock panels to grain-handling gear,” says Doug Langel, who farms with sons Jeremy and Ryan, and wife Jackie. The centerpiece of the welding center is the welding table Doug salvaged from a manufacturing plant. “It is extra heavy duty,…

By Julie Ingwersen CHICAGO, Jan 14 (Reuters) – U.S. corn futures retreated on Tuesday on a round of profit-taking after a tighter U.S. supply outlook lifted prices to one-year highs, analysts said. Soybeans set back from a multi-month top as some forecasts called for beneficial rains in crop areas of Argentina while wheat futures clung to modest gains. As of 1:05 p.m. CST (1905 GMT), Chicago Board of Trade most-active corn futures Cv1 were down 2-1/4 cents at $4.74-1/4 per bushel after rising to $4.79-3/4, the highest on a continuous chart of the most-active corn contract Cv1 since December 2023. CBOT benchmark soybeans Sv1 were down 8-3/4 cents…

Diseases can be introduced into a backyard chicken flock in many ways, but there are preventive steps to reduce the risk. Here are 13 practical tips from Ohio State University Extension to keep your birds healthy. Keep It Clean USDA Clean, scrub, and disinfect your poultry house on a regular basis. Reason: Thorough cleanings keep bacteria, viruses, and parasites from building up and help deter disease-carrying rodents. Change the Litter Never raise chickens of any age on old litter used by a previous flock of birds. Reason: Litter may have a build-up of disease agents that the new flock has…

DAILY Bites Improved residue flow and better field finish in high-residue conditions Autonomy-ready with built-in features for easy transition to autonomous tillage Increased frame strength with durable, easy-to-maintain components DAILY Discussion John Deere announced the release today of a new lineup of high-speed disks, a dual-season tool that will provide excellent field finish and residue management and comes autonomy-ready from the factory. The new HSD line replaces the largest models from the 2680H series. Available in widths ranging from 25 feet to 45 feet, there is a disk size that fits nearly any tractor and farm. “The new John Deere…

By Cami Koons The U.S. Department of Agriculture finalized a third regulatory reform under the Packers and Stockyards Act, with the latest regulation giving greater stability and fairness to chicken farmers working for major meat companies, according to an announcement Tuesday.  Agriculture Secretary Tom Vilsack said in a press conference Monday the regulation came from “the ground up” and reflects changes that poultry farmers across the country have said they needed.  “This rule basically addresses many of the concerns that we’ve heard from rank and file producers who just simply want a fair shake,” Vilsack said. “They don’t want the…

Even people outside of production agriculture have likely heard of ethanol before, especially when it comes to corn. But few probably know what is it exactly and how is it made? Ethanol, a renewable biofuel, plays a significant role in reducing greenhouse gas emissions (U.S. corn ethanol has 44 percent to 52 percent lower GHG emissions than gasoline, according to the Department of Energy) and decreasing reliance on fossil fuels. Derived primarily from agricultural products, ethanol production supports farmers by creating additional markets for their crops, particularly corn. This process not only benefits rural economies but also contributes to energy…

While most often thought of as barnyard birds, chickens are found in urban, suburban, and rural environments across the country – and for good reasons! Chickens produce fresh eggs for their owners to enjoy themselves or sell; provide a natural form of pest control; and make fun, inexpensive, and easy to care for pets. There are many varieties of chickens, and one of the most unique, beautiful, and friendly is the Silkie chicken. All About Silkies The Silkie (sometimes spelled Silky) chicken is an old breed of poultry that originated in Southeast Asia sometime before the 1200s; the breed is…

This story will be continually updated as new commercial and backyard cases are reported to the Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service (APHIS). The Latest To date, more than 130.6 million reported birds have been affected by HPAI since February 2022, with cases found in all 50 states. Cases slowed down significantly for most of 2024, but have risen since the start of November. Cases have continued to rise in the opening days of 2025. The USDA’s Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service (APHIS) has reported 95 new cases of Highly Pathological Avian Influenza (HPAI) over 23 different states in…