The U.S. Department of Agriculture is putting farmers first by offering them a new option to schedule appointments online with their local Farm Service Agency (FSA) office. Following a successful pilot program, FSA is now using a digital appointment platform across the agency to allow producers to make farm program or farm loan appointments online at their convenience. “Farmers and ranchers …
Category: Ag News
Jul 07
USDA makes American children healthier, agriculture stronger with more farm to school investments
Today, U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) Secretary Brooke L. Rollins announced the second cohort of fiscal year (FY) 2026 Patrick Leahy Farm to School Grants, completing the largest ever single-year financial investment in the history of the grant program. This year, USDA awarded a total of nearly $20 million to 68 projects that will empower more American farmers, producers, ranchers, and fishers to serve their local foods …
Jul 07
Put the Past Crop Behind You and Fine-Tune Variety Selection
As planting time approaches, refining winter wheat variety selection could be key to success with the 2027 crop. “Most growers are chasing yield, but disease tolerance, end-use quality and agronomic characteristics like standability and maturity should be factored into their variety decisions,” said Mark Lubbers, WestBred Wheat technical product manager. “Select varieties that have performed …
Jul 07
Mafi honored by the American Meat Science Association
Gretchen Mafi, professor and the Ralph and Leila Boulware Endowed Chair in Oklahoma State University’s Department of Animal and Food Sciences, recently received two honors from the American Meat Science Association for her leadership in student development and meat science education. At the association’s Reciprocal Meat Conference in June, Mafi was presented with the Intercollegiate Meat Judging Meritorious …
Jul 07
USDA advances Trump Administration effort to boost U.S. mineral energy production
The U.S. Department of Agriculture’s Forest Service today issued the final record of decision for the Hermosa Critical Mineral Project, marking a major accomplishment in the agency’s effort to strengthen domestic mineral production. The decision, completed in record time as a FAST 41project, supports President Trump’s goal of increasing mineral independence and bolstering the nation’s energy and economic resilience. South32 Hermosa Inc., an Australia-based mining and metals …
Jul 07
USDA Accepts 2.2 Million Acres Through 2026 Conservation Reserve Program Enrollment to Benefit Natural Resources, Ag Operations
The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) is accepting 2.2 million acres into the Conservation Reserve Program (CRP) for 2026. Through CRP, USDA’s Farm Service Agency (FSA) offers agricultural producers and landowners incentive payments for their conservation efforts while benefiting their agricultural operations and protecting the nation’s natural resources. “The Conservation Reserve Program continues to demonstrate …
Jul 07
High input-cost concerns continue to weigh on farmer sentiment
Farmer sentiment dropped again in June as the Purdue University-CME Group Ag Economy Barometer (AEB) Index declined from 119 points in May to 113 points in June (see Figure 1). The Index of Current Conditions fell by 5 points, while the Index of Future Expectations fell by 7 points (see Figure 2). June’s Current Conditions Index was 26 points below its December 2025 …
Jul 07
Cow Calf Corner Dr. Mark Johnson: Technologies to Improve Prediction of Beef Carcass Red Meat Yield
The United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) uses two distinct grades for beef carcasses. Quality Grades, based on marbling and maturity of the carcass indicate the eating satisfaction (tenderness, juiciness and flavor) of cooked beef. Yield Grades estimate the red meat yield (cutability) of a beef carcass. These grades enable differentiation of beef carcass quality and yield in …
Jul 07
Weather Concerns and Global Demand Spark Rally in Grain and Oilseed Futures
Grain and oilseed futures prices moved higher over the last week, driven by weather issues around the globe. Futures prices emerged from the long holiday weekend in a bullish mood, fueled by speculation on crop potential amid a major heat wave in Europe, a delayed monsoon in India, and localized issues in the United States. …
Jul 07
Ag Groups React To Brazil Trading Practices
Growth Energy, the nation’s largest biofuel trade association, will testify today in favor of proposed penalties for Brazil’s unfair restrictions on imports of U.S. ethanol. The U.S. Trade Representative (USTR) is hosting a hearing on the issue following a year-long investigation into Brazil’s trade practices. Growth Energy also filed written comments earlier this month, welcoming USTR’s proposal to impose …
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