Corn production declined, while soybean production increased from last year, according to the 2024 Crop Production Annual Summary released by the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s National Agricultural Statistics Service. U.S. corn growers produced 14.9 billion bushels in 2024, down 3 percent from 2023. Corn yield in the United States is estimated at 179.3 bushels per acre, 2.0 bushels above 2023 and a record high. Area harvested for grain, at 82.9 million acres in 2024, is down 4 percent from 2023. Soybean production for 2024 totaled 4.37 billion bushels, up 5 percent from 2023. The average soybean yield is estimated at 50.7 bushels per acre, 0.1 bushel above 2023, and 1.0 bushel below the Nov. 1 forecast.
The U.S. Department of Agriculture’s Rural Development is excited to announce the launch of a new Clean Energy website, a proactive approach to promote clean energy projects in rural America. The website is a platform for identifying federal funding opportunities and transforming, developing, or procuring clean energy production in these areas.
President Donald J. Trump designated Jeffery S. Hall as board chairman and CEO of the Farm Credit Administration. Chairman Hall is the longest-serving member of the current FCA board, having been appointed by President Barack Obama on March 17, 2015. He succeeds Vincent Logan, who has served as FCA board chairman and CEO since Oct. 21, 2022.
Because not everyone is able to join us in San Antonio for the 2025 American Farm Bureau Convention, selected sessions from the Convention agenda will be available to stream live online. All three General Sessions and the activities on the Cultivation Center Stage will stream live on FB.org as well as on the Convention Website. President Duvall’s speech will also stream live during Opening General Session on Sunday, January 26 starting at 9:30 a.m. CST.
Glen R. Smith of Iowa was elected as chairman of the Farm Credit System Insurance Corporation board of directors. He succeeds Jeffery Hall, who served as chairman of the FCSIC board of directors from November 2016 until he was designated board chairman and CEO of the Farm Credit Administration (FCA) on Jan. 20, 2025.
Attention college students with a passion for agricultural communications and desire to network with hundreds of professionals. Apply by February 21 for the Forrest Bassford Student Award. The top winner will receive a $1,500 scholarship and a $500 travel award to attend Ag Media Summit. Up to three additional $750 travel scholarships may be awarded to finalists to attend the event. Get details and download the application here.
The U.S. Wheat Associates (USW) board of directors elected new officers for the organization’s 2025/26 fiscal year (July to June) at their meeting January 15, 2025, in Washington, D.C. Mike Carstensen of Almira, Wash., was newly elected as the organization’s next Secretary-Treasurer and will take office July in 2025. At the July board meeting in Boise, Idaho, current Secretary-Treasurer Gary Millershaski of Lakin, Kan., will succeed to Vice Chairman and current Vice Chairman Jim Pellman of McClusky, N.D., will take office as Chairman. Current Chairman Clark Hamilton of Ririe, Idaho, will become Past Chairperson.
Two exceptional college students pursuing careers in agriculture will be awarded $2,500 each this semester from the National Wheat Foundation (NWF), with sponsorship from BASF. NWF selected Teagan Macy, a junior at the University of Idaho pursuing a degree in crop science. Ryland Peters, a sophomore at the University of Nebraska Lincoln, was also selected. College students are encouraged to apply for this scholarship next year. The deadline is December 31, 2025. More details can be found on the National Wheat Foundation website, www.wheatfoundation.org.
The Western Farm Show and Missouri Farmers Care are joining forces for the second year to make a difference in the lives of families facing food insecurity in Missouri and Kansas. The Western Farm Show’s annual Unite Against Hunger “Battle Of The Border” event will collaborate with the Drive to Feed Kids for an opportunity for Western Farm Show attendees and FFA chapters to make a difference.
The Georgia Peanut Commission is seeking candidates for the position of executive director. The GPC Board of Directors seek candidates to oversee the management of Commission resources and serve as the staff team leader. During the recent Georgia Peanut Farm Show, Don Koehler, current GPC executive director, announced his plans to retire Aug. 1, 2026.
