U.S. Secretary of Agriculture Brooke Rollins announced that USDA will release the first tranche of funding that was paused due to the review of funding in the Inflation Reduction Act (IRA). In alignment with White House directives, Secretary Rollins will honor contracts that were already made directly to farmers. Specifically, USDA is releasing approximately $20 million in contracts for the Environmental Quality Incentive Program, the Conservation Stewardship Program, and the Agricultural Conservation Easement Program.
U.S. Secretary of Agriculture Brooke Rollins traveled to Kansas and Missouri, respectively, meeting with farmers, ranchers, and members of the agricultural community to discuss the challenges and opportunities shaping the industry. Conversations focused on expanding market access, strengthening rural economies, and ensuring producers have the tools to remain competitive on a global scale.
Be part of the experience as we celebrate the American farmers who work and preserve the land to feed millions. This year National Ag Day celebrates with live AND virtual events. Visit agday.org for more details.
A nationwide survey of beekeepers has revealed catastrophic honey bee colony losses across the United States, with commercial operations reporting an average loss of 62 percent between June 2024 and February 2025. These alarming losses, which surpass historical trends, could significantly impact U.S. agriculture, particularly crop pollination for almonds, fruits, vegetables, and other essential food sources.
The National Cotton Council directors for 2025 were announced at the NCC’s recent 2025 annual meeting in Dallas, Texas.
The National Cotton Council announced the results of its 2025 planting intentions survey.
The National Cotton Ginners Association announced the recipients of the Cotton Ginner of the Year and Distinguished Service Award.
Cotton Council International announced its officers for 2025, including its chairman, Carlo Bocardo, a cooperative official from California.
The Goodyear Tire & Rubber Company offers 11 tire lines with soybean oil in the tread compound. USB supported Goodyear research and product development that demonstrated that soybean oil could improve tire flexibility at low temperatures in consumer tires, helping the rubber to remain pliable in cold weather and enhancing traction in rain and snow. Goodyear increased its use of soybean oil by 9.9 percent in 2023 over 2022.
Investing in the next generation of agricultural leaders is a point of pride for Culver’s—especially during National FFA Week (Feb. 15-22). To celebrate in 2025, the restaurant chain introduced a new fundraiser on Give FFA Day, Feb. 20, as well as launching the second year of the FFA Ambassador Program.
Facing another year of economic uncertainty and market volatility, customers of Farm Credit Mid-America have something to look forward to. The farmer-owned lender will return $260 million in net earnings to eligible customer-owners this March. This significant return, made possible through Farm Credit Mid-America’s patronage program, underscores one of the many benefits of belonging to the farmer-owned cooperative. Over the past nine years, Farm Credit Mid-America’s board of directors has approved more than $1.5 billion in net earnings be returned to eligible customers-owners in its service territory of Arkansas, Indiana, Kentucky, Missouri, Ohio and Tennessee.
The agenda for the 2025 Transportation Go! conference has taken shape and features a who’s who of transportation and agricultural luminaries. Hosted by the Specialty Soya and Grains Alliance (SSGA) March 12-13 in Minneapolis, the annual event assembles boots-on-the-ground commodity growers, organizations, traders and shippers of specialty crops, offering in-depth discussions on the global supply chain and how it affects the critical movement of agricultural products domestically and around the world.
