China’s Belt and Road Initiative has expanded Beijing’s economic presence in Africa through infrastructure and related investments. The US, by contrast, is at an inflection point in its trade policy with Africa. The African Growth and Opportunity Act was reauthorized only through the end of 2026, and the Trump administration has indicated that any successor arrangement would place greater emphasis on expanding market access for U.S. businesses, farmers, and ranchers.

Given the large difference in prices received and projected net return prospects, it is not surprising to find a large difference in producer sentiment between crop and livestock producers. In contrast to producer sentiment, farm growth and transition plans are similar among crop and livestock producers. Approximately 50% of respondents plan to grow in the next five years, and approximately 36% of respondents plan to bring another family member into the business in the next five years.

We use results from the most recent wave of the Gardner Food and Agricultural Policy Survey to assess perceptions of the new Dietary Guidelines for Americans. The majority of participants agreed that following the recommendations was important to the health of their household, with strongest support for the recommendation to “eat vegetables and fruits throughout the day.” We also find that most participants indicated following the recommendations was both realistic and affordable for their household.

The U.S. ethanol industry delivered another strong year of profitability in 2025. Net returns for a representative Iowa plant averaged $0.21 per gallon, well above the long-run average of $0.13 per gallon since 2007. On an annual basis, nominal profits of $23.2 million marked the sixth consecutive year in positive territory and the sixth year since 2007 with profits exceeding $20 million. Given the headwinds facing the industry at the start of 2025, this is a genuinely impressive result.

The February price discovery period has concluded and final Projected Prices and Volatility Factors for crops with a sales closing date of March 15th have been released by the Risk…

This article summarizes information in the US Federal Register of January 12, 2026 that addresses the addition of up to 30 million new commodity base acres effective for the 2026 crop year, making them eligible for ARC (Agriculture Risk Coverage) and PLC (Price Loss Coverage) benefits. One purpose of this article is help you formulate questions. Please direct them to FSA (Farm Service Agency) as specifics matter and this article summarizes what are often detailed procedures and rules.

The world’s farmers face soaring fertilizer and fuel prices as the war in the Middle East escalates, leaving some ​scrambling for supplies as the spring planting season approaches and causing…

As a result of the attack on Iran, nitrogen fertilizer at the port of New Orleans has seen an increase in price this week. Urea prices for barges in New…

A prolonged military conflict in the Middle East could potentially upend key commodity markets due to Iran’s control of the Strait of Hormuz, one of the world’s most important trade…