Although USDA released its Prospective Planting Report at the end of March, it was still a big topic of discussion into early April as producers are intending to plant fewer sunflower acres this year.

U.S. farmers’ outlook improved in March as the Purdue University/CME Group Ag Economy Barometer index increased to 114, marking a 3-point rise from February. The Index of Future Expectations climbed to 120, up by 5 points from February. A slight disparity between current and future indexes was...

USDA released its first Crop Progress Report of the 2024 growing season on April 1. Here’s a look at the most recent corn, oats, and wheat numbers.

Cotton acres are expected to rise 4% in 2024, a number that was a bit surprising to the trade. While that increase might be reflected in the June acreage report, another key question is if cotton demand can continue to find footing and support higher prices.

Samples of the H5N1 bird flu virus that has infected dairy cattle and a dairy worker retain avian genetic characteristics and “for the most part lack changes that would make them better able to infect mammals,” said the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) in a technical update. “The...

The USDA Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service (APHIS) has amended a federal order to prohibit cherries from the province of Quebec in Canada from entering the U.S.

California-based electric tractor manufacturer Solectrac recently announced plans to prioritize "direct-to-consumer sales and partner with select dealers in key markets." The company said it was refocusing efforts previously directed towards expanding its dealer network.

Customers from the East Coast to the Midwest who were expecting goods shipped in via the Port of Baltimore could see significant cost increases as a result of the recent collapse of the Francis Scott Key Bridge in Baltimore that has blocked access for ships to the port.

Bird flu, which killed more than 82 million birds in U.S. domestic flocks in the past two years, has recently appeared in dairy herds in Idaho, Kansas, Michigan, New Mexico and Texas, according to federal officials. USDA says the outbreaks, affecting a relatively small number of cattle, are not...

Technological developments in agriculture have enabled continued output growth without requiring much additional inputs. Innovations in animal and crop genetics, chemicals, equipment, and farm organization have made it possible for total agricultural output to nearly triple between 1948 and 2021.

Processing tomato farmers in California are expected to reduce production this year after a big crop in 2023 and a softening in demand, an agriculture organization is reporting.

A new soy-based fire suppressant has hit commercial scale and its due in part to research funded by U.S. soybean farmers. 

U.S. farmers are increasingly turning to solar power as a means of stabilizing their incomes amid fluctuating crop prices and growing expenses. With cash receipts for crops like corn, soybeans and other commodities expected to be slightly lower this year, many farmers are seeking alternative...

U.S. Adapts to Renewable Diesel Feedstock Demand

It’s no secret that China’s been buying significantly fewer bushels of U.S. corn. Despite that setback, U.S. corn exports during the 2023/24 marketing years are projected to be 439 million bushels higher (+26%) than last marketing year (Figure 1), according to USDA. Last December, Mexico returned...