News
USDA Moves to Bolster Farm Safety Net, Expand Crop Insurance Access
The USDA widened crop-insurance access under the new rule, easing red-tape, expanding coverage (esp. for specialty crops), extending support for new farmers, and boosting the farm safety net.
Weed Seed Spread Is Accelerating Herbicide Resistance Across Farms
Weed seeds spread quickly via wind, water, machines, and animals, accelerating herbicide resistance as species like Palmer amaranth and waterhemp produce massive seed volumes.
More U.S. Soybean Shipments to China Due to Load Through Mid-December
More U.S. soybean vessels are scheduled to load for China through mid-December, marking the first major shipments since May, after Chinese buyers booked nearly 2 million tons for 2025/26.
Beef Boosters: Young People Needed to Keep Cattle Industry Vibrant
U.S. cattle processing plants saw fewer suppliers this year — down from 400 to 300 — as many young people can’t afford entry. High costs and volatile prices are pushing ranchers out, threatening the industry’s future.
Brazil’s 2025/26 Soybean Crop Forecast at Record 178 Million Metric Tons, Says Itau BBA
Brazil’s 2025/26 soybean crop is forecast at 178M tons, driven by more acreage despite weather-delayed planting. La Niña eased, improving yield outlook. Late soy may cut second-crop corn, but total corn still seen at 138–139M tons.
Is Social Media the New Classroom for Teaching Agriculture?
Social media creators share real farm life, helping teach the public about agriculture and reduce the knowledge gap.
RIP ‘Climate-Smart’ Ag. ‘Stewardship’ Is Here
U.S. agriculture is moving from “climate-smart” language to “stewardship,” while still promoting soil health, cover crops, and lower-emission practices. Lenders are exploring a Stewardship Fund to help farmers adopt these methods.
Bird Flu Surging as Holiday Season Begins
Bird flu cases are surging across U.S. poultry as the holiday season starts, with millions of birds affected. The rapid spread of HPAI is raising concerns for producers and regulators.
How Can Farmers Turn Corn and Soybean Volatility Into Opportunity?
Farmers can manage corn and soybean price volatility by forward-contracting part of their crop and using put options to guard against price drops, helping secure revenue while preserving some upside.
USDA Prepares to Reveal Relief Plan That Could Help Kansas Farmers Facing Uncertainty
USDA will launch an agriculture relief plan in December to address impacts from tariffs, trade policy, the missing farm bill and rising production costs. Kansas experts say farmers and ranchers are affected differently but face higher inflation.