U.S. agriculture lost 15,000 farms in 2025, continuing a seven-year consolidation trend. Only operations exceeding $1 million in sales grew.
Smithfield Foods will invest up to $1.3 billion to build a new 1.1 million square-foot meat processing facility in Sioux Falls, South Dakota, replacing their century-old plant. Construction begins in early 2027, with completion expected by late 2028, supporting over 3,200 jobs and local hog farmers.
At least two, and probably a third, storm systems will move across the country this week, producing strong winds, heavy snow, and potential for severe weather across a widespread area.
The new farm bill contains a range of provisions and studies, including regulatory changes for both pesticides and livestock production, likely setting up some partisan divisions as the bill advances. The bill also addresses Sustainable Aviation Fuel, solar farms and examines new possible crop insurance policies.
Machinery and fertilizer remain the two biggest expenses producers have to manage, but other areas factor in as well. A Kansas State University webinar looked at costs for a typical Kansas farm operation and offered some options for reducing expenses.
A short market week and the USDA Ag Outlook forum are some of the major events we'll be tracking the week of Feb. 15.
House Agriculture Committee Chairman Glenn GT Thompson, R-Pa., on Friday released the text of the committee's latest version of the farm bill, the "Farm, Food, and National Security Act of 2026." The bill comes after Congress included some changes to farm bill programs in last year's One Big Beautiful Bill Act.
The Stark family has operated S Bar K Cattle and Hay in Baker, Montana, since 1910, spanning six generations on their ranch. Despite harsh weather challenges and operational changes, their deep ranching roots and family collaboration keep the legacy thriving.
Corn farmers from both Iowa and Texas are calling on U.S. Attorney General Pam Bondi to spell out what the Justice Department is doing to examine the fertilizer industry. Their efforts come after USDA's deputy secretary called out two major fertilizer companies last month, alleging collusion.
Midwest agriculture bankers expect agricultural credit conditions to worsen in 2026 despite rising farmland values, lower interest rates, and government support offsetting increased loan repayment problems.
Polaris Off Road offers a pair of new Ranger models, the 2026 RANGER 1000 CAB and 2027 RANGER XP 1000 CAB.
Ethanol production in the United States averaged 1.114 million barrels per day (bpd) in the week ended Jan. 23, down 5,000 bpd week-on-week.
