Around Farm Progress

Just how is cotton raised in the United States? And what are farmers doing to be more sustainable with this important fiber and oilseed crop? Good questions both, and the industry is stepping up to answer that for buyers with information direct from growers in the U.S. Cotton Trust Program.

Sledge Taylor, who farms in northern Mississippi, discusses why he joined the program, the process involved and offers some insight into why other farmers should join, no matter their farm size. It’s an interesting program with aiming to show a competitive world market that U.S. farmers are ahead of the curve.

Commodity prices are a leading indicator of inflation, and the commodity price surge in August 2020 was a telling sign that inflation was about to rip through the entire economy.

Inflationary pressures are finally beginning to ease in other areas of the U.S. economy. While the slower pace of increasing prices may seem like a blessing for farmers, it is actually a bit more complicated than that – and potentially not quite as rosy.

Tune in as Jacqueline Holland explains the relationship between commodity prices and inflation, the role of hedge funds, and the potential for "sticky inflation." Also, learn why it's more important than ever to focus on marketing plans and banking relationships during the 2023 growing season.

Stay up to date on the latest market commentary by subscribing to our free Farm Futures Daily newsletters sent every weekday morning and afternoon.

Western flooding impacts agriculture in a big way. Recently Todd Fitchette, Western Farm Press, traveled to the Tulare Lake area of California, on the southern end of the San Joaquin Valley, to survey the damage. From flooded fields to relocated farms, the impact has beensignificant, and will be felt beyond season 2023.

Then the podcast shifts gears and takes on the topic of medically important antibiotics and their availability to beef producers. The U.S. Food and Drug Administration is promulgating new rules on the issue but the gist is that what was once available over-the-counter, will no longer be offered that way.

Betty Haynes, Prairie Farmer, talks with Julia Herman, National Cattlemen’s Beef Association cattle specialist and veterinarian, about the issue.

Around Farm Progress adds a twist this week as we introduce Farmgate Friday, a series that looks at hot topics in grain marketing and what they mean for your farm.

On this episode, Farm Futures market analyst Jacqueline Holland interprets the main corn, soybean and wheat data from USDA's March 31 prospective plantings report. The acreage estimates from the National Agricultural Statistics Service provide the first official estimates of U.S. farmers’ 2023 planting intentions.

So, as a farmer, what do these numbers mean? How can you adjust your marketing plan, and what factors should be on your radar as planting takes off? Tune in to find out.

Learn more about USDA's March 31 reports from the Farm Futures team. Stay up to date on the latest market commentary by subscribing to our free Farm Futures Daily newsletters sent every weekday morning and afternoon.

This week’s episode of Around Farm Progress takes on two different topic areas. There’s a look at one farmer’s innovation in forest restoration that’s getting some attention. We also continue our coverage of the National Cattlemen’s Beef Association Cattle Industry Convention with a look at topics related to beef biosecurity.

Curt Arens, Nebraska Farmer, digs in on a recent story he wrote about a farmer in western Nebraska who innovated an approach to planting trees after a wildfire.

Betty Haynes, Prairie Farmer, talks with Julia Herman, NCBA beef cattle specialist and veterinarian, who discusses biosecurity, Beef Quality Assurance and the opportunities for producers.

Jennifer Carrico, Wallaces Farmer, talks with Mark McCully, CEO of the American Angus Association. They discuss the electronic identification system the association is encouraging seedstock producers to use.

Never let it be reported that the Around Farm Progress podcast isn’t diverse, even in a single episode. This week the show looks at the Conservation Reserve Program and the benefits it offers, then moves on for a discussion of the beef checkoff, beef exports and even a discussion about Yellowstone.

First up, Fran O’Leary, Wisconsin Agriculturist, shares insights about the Conservation Reserve Program she gathered in a recent feature. We wrap up with an interview Betty Haynes, Prairie Farmer, did with Norman Voyles Jr., former Cattlemen’s Beef Board chair and Indiana native.

USDA recently instituted a Cattle Contracts Library Pilot Program at the urging of the beef industry. The goal is to provide more transparent information for producers to understand price trends in local markets. Jennifer Carrico, Wallaces Farmer, talked with two beef industry representatives during the 2023 National Cattlemen’s Beef Association Cattle Convention in New Orleans to get their take on the issue.

Recognizing the hard work of agriculture is part of the culture. There are several programs, many sponsored by Farm Progress, aiming to shine a spotlight on those farm leaders that are driving this industry forward. In this episode of Around Farm Progress, Brad Haire, Southeast Farm Press, and head of the Farm Press team at Farm Progress, discussed two programs his group manages.

Recently, Haire was part of the program recognizing the 2023 High Cotton Award winners at the MidSouth Farm and Gin Show. He discusses that award, and highlights this year’s winners and their operations. He also discusses the upcoming Peanut Efficiency Award, sharing how that program focuses on sustainability.

For the last few years there has been a healthy buzz around innovations for agriculture, but a deeper look at the industry shows that farmers are not all jumping right in. A new survey report from consulting firm McKinsey & Company, digs into that issue – Agtech: Breaking down the farmer adoption dilemma. It’s the third survey of farmers the organization has done, and this latest includes responses from 6,000 farmers from around the world.

We connect with the report's authors to discuss what they found and factors that could drive greater adoption of agtech in the future.