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Healthy Milk for Kids Act may add $2 billion in dairy demand
The signing of the Healthy Milk for Kids Act by President Trump last week marks a significant change in federal school nutrition policy, restoring whole and two percent milk as options in school meal programs. Supporters say the move aligns federal guidelines with current nutrition science while also addressing declining milk consumption in schools. The legislation passed Congress with unanimous consent in the U.S. Senate, an outcome that highlights broad bipartisan agreement. National Milk...
South American Weather and Crop Update (12-30-25)
As the crops in Brazil enter the critical yield-determining phase, timely rains are finally reentering the forecast. Allendale commodity broker Greg McBride gave an update on the latest weather forecasts for South America. While the crops are virtually all planted in...
Pork is more than just the flavor of the holidays
Family, food, and flavor are coming together as a winning recipe this holiday season with quality U.S. pork products. By showcasing pork’s versatility, flavor, and cultural relevance, the National Pork Board’s campaign is opening the door to new traditions and fresh...
How to maximize crop nutrition
A consistent theme for row crop farmers in 2025 was dealing with tight margins. As farmers are earning lower dollar amounts for their commodities but fertilizer prices remain high, maximizing crop nutrition is important for all growers. Ross Bender of The Mosaic...
Rural Mainstreet Index climbed above growth neutral
For only the second time in 2025, the overall Rural Mainstreet Index climbed above a growth-neutral reading of 50.0. That’s according to the monthly survey of bank CEOs in a rural ten-state region dependent on agriculture and energy. The December reading hit 50.1, its...
Rural families struggle with slower postal deliveries
Reliable mail service is not a luxury in rural America. It is a necessity for receiving checks, handling daily business, and getting critical medicine and supplies that many families cannot easily pick up in town. But delays are becoming more common, and the...
Notable events in the ag economy in 2025
As 2025 winds down, it is a good time to look back on the ag economy for the year. On the surface the most basic analysis is that it was a tough year for grain producers while livestock producers had a more prosperous year, especially in the cattle sector. USDA Chief...
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Highlighting major economic factors to observe in 2026
The U.S. macroeconomy is influencing agriculture input costs, commodity price trends, and supply and demand fundamentals. Matt Erickson, senior analyst at Terrain, said inflation, tariffs, and interest rates will be major factors to keep an eye on in 2026. Erickson...
What to expect in the January WASDE report
The January USDA WASDE report will be released on Monday January 12th and while we don’t know what changes will be made, if there are changes, they could move the ag marketplace. Matt Bennett of AgMarket.net says that if we get a January WASDE report similar to 2025...
Beef prices expected to keep rising in 2026
Beef prices are expected to continue climbing in the coming year as tight cattle supplies in the United States and abroad strain the global market, analysts said. U.S. cattle inventories remain near multi-decade lows following years of drought that forced ranchers to...
Applications open for AFBF Women’s Communications Boot Camp
Farm Bureau women interested in growing their communications skills can now apply for Communications Boot Camp. The spring session of the American Farm Bureau Federation’s Women’s Communications Boot Camp is April 20-23, 2026. Shawn Wood, an Arizona farmer and member...
Utility sized equipment supports daily work on farms
Compact and utility tractors may not always be the most visible machines on a farm, but for many operations, they handle much of the daily work. From livestock chores to property maintenance, producers and rural landowners are often looking for equipment that is...
