Latest News From U.S. Department of Agriculture

Lance Honig, acting director of the NASS methodology division, says budget constraints led to the agency's decision. The County Estimates data was used over the years, in part, to determine federal farm program payments.

The second USDA Crop Progress Report of the year shows farmers are already ahead in planting the 2024 crop with six states pacing ahead of the five-year average.

The first look at a new farm bill could happen as early as next week. It’s long overdue after nothing was released out of Committee in 2023. Now, there’s growing doubt a farm bill will even be passed in 2024.

As most of the U.S. is still prepping for spring planting, USDA's weekly crop progress report shares Texas growers have already planted more than half their corn acres.

USDA says farmers intend to plant 90 million acres of corn this year, which is lower than the trade expected prior to USDA's big Prospective Plantings report.

USDA says genetic sequencing revealed the mystery illness impacting Texas dairies is the same strain of Highly Pathogenic Avian Influenza (HPAI) that's been in the U.S. The virus is carried by wild waterfowl.

With the exception of Chicago wheat, grain markets scored higher weekly closes and ended above the 20-day moving average for the first time in weeks, according to Darren Frye, Water Street Solutions.

USDA NASS has released the 2022 Census of Agriculture data, which revealed important information about the current state of agriculture.

“It’s hard to put yourself in growth mode when things are getting so expensive,” says Tanner Ehmke with CoBank.

On Monday, February 5 the news of Bill Northey’s passing quickly spread through the agriculture industry, of which he dedicated his professional life to serving.

Chip Flory warns that as more crush capacity comes online, the soybean market might realize it waited too long to bid for 2024 soybean acres.  

AgWeb and Trust In Food’s beta Climate-Smart Opportunity Navigator is matching producers with Climate-Smart Commodities grants tailored to their operation.

USDA has granted Mr. Claus and his reindeer a special permit to enter the U.S., ensuring a seamless journey for the joy they bring each holiday season.

Through his work, Russell Taylor has focused on being an advocate for conservation practices in agriculture – partnering with several different organizations to change laws and draft language for the farm bill. 

The Fertilizer Research Act has been introduced by three senators to require USDA to study competition and trends in the fertilizer market.

More than a decade after banning whole and reduced-fat milk from being served during school lunches, the House of Representatives overwhelmingly voted in support of the Whole Milk for Healthy Kids Act.

COP28's decision to not include food and agriculture as a way to meet climate goals was influenced by a request from the G77 group of developing countries for additional review related to agriculture and food.

Organic food sales have grown over time, but it's still only accounts for 2.5% to 6% of the food market. How much is organic farming growing year over year? John Phipps answers a viewer's question in Customer Support.

Despite weather concerns sprouting in Brazil, USDA didn’t make any major adjustments to the South American crop in Friday's reports. Increased demand from China and Mexico prompted USDA to trim U.S. ending stocks.

Every year, around this time, FSA mails letters to randomly selected farmers and landowners informing them they are facing an audit. If you receive a letter, don’t panic. Get help from experts who deal with FSA reviews.

 Some Republican House and Senate members have expressed their concerns to USDA Secretary Tom Vilsack, particularly regarding the new payment formula used for ERP in 2022.

According to USDA’s final crop progress report of the season, 96% of corn has been harvested — a 3% increase from last week.

According to USDA’s crop progress report, 93% of corn has been harvested so far – an increase 5% from this time last week.

Layering federal and private conservation programs has potential to add extra cash to your bottom line.

According to USDA’s crop progress report, 88% of corn and 95% of soybeans have been harvested so far.

USDA upped its corn yield estimate by nearly 2 bu. to a 174.9 bu. per acre national yield. The agency also increased its demand estimate, which softened the potential blow of such a big jump in production.

According to USDA’s crop progress report, 81% of corn and 91% of soybeans have been harvested so far.

According to USDA’s crop progress report, 71% of corn and 85% of soybeans have been harvested so far, which is considerably ahead of the five-year average.  

Scientists from the Agricultural Research Service have identified several different species of fungi and bacteria that can stop tar spot from developing.

According to USDA’s crop progress report, 59% of corn and 76% of soybeans have been harvested so far.

USDA has allocated more than $1.77 billion this year to agricultural producers and landowners through CRP. Since 2021, the CRP has witnessed a 21% increase in enrolled acres.

The shift to El Nino brings several changes to the upcoming winter.

According to USDA’s crop progress report, 45% of corn and 62% of soybeans have been harvested so far this year.

Two organizations share why we may see a decline in cash rent values in 2024.

Harvest progress on soybeans nearly doubled from last week and corn progress is ahead of the five-year average.

Nearly a quarter of corn and soybeans have been harvested for 2023.

USDA's weekly crop progress report shows harvest progress slightly behind average for corn and soybeans.

Despite lower yields, the September WASDE was disappointing for the bulls. Ted Seifried, Zaner Ag Hedge, breaks it down and talks about what it means for prices.

USDA looks to improve the future measure, monitoring, reporting and verification of ag climate emissions via a $300 million investment announced on Wednesday.

The biggest surprises included a 4-bu. reduction in corn yield and soybean ending stocks came in at 300 million bushels, which is 100 million bushels higher than trade estimates.

The USDA reports provided a bullish surprise for soybeans with acreage down 4 million from the March intentions. Corn acreage was bearish coming in more than 2 million higher than March. Where did the shifts occur?

USDA's June 30 Acreage report is generally a big market mover, but early trade estimates show little change from March, while quarterly stocks estimates indicate tighter supplies than 2022.

Even with rains sweeping the Northern Corn Belt last weekend, the latest drought monitor shows drought continues to spread across Illinois with D2 (Severe Drought) taking a 28-point jump in a week.

Despite weekend rains sweeping the northern Corn Belt, corn and soybean conditions sit at the second-lowest level in history. Sizable declines hit key areas of the Corn Belt as corn enters a critical time for production.

According to USDA, Russian-speaking hackers are the likely suspects. The Office of Personnel Management and two organizations within the Department of Energy also were apparently targeted or breached.

CRISPR results are identical to results of conventional breeding, and it's nearly impossible to differentiate from conventional vs CRISPR. The breeding tool is also having an impact on the apprehension of GMOs.

The Inflation Reduction Act is the most significant climate legislation ever enacted. The package includes more than $19 billion to support USDA conservation programs, but the money won't last forever.

Sluggish exports continue to be the main theme in the grain markets with USDA cutting both old and new crop ending stocks. Arlan Suderman of StoneX Group says the bigger story moving forward might be soft corn demand.

The U.S. Government could be looking to buy 47 million pounds of cheese for local food banks and schools, and one dairy analyst says it could be a game changer for dairy demand and milk prices. 

Rural electric cooperatives, utilities and other energy providers will soon be able to apply for nearly $11 billion in grants and loans for clean energy projects, funded by the $430 billion Inflation Reduction Act.