Labor expenses are highest on specialty crop farms and lowest on corn operations
Source: USDA news release Labor expenses accounted for about 15 percent of total cash expenses across all U.S. farms in 2024, but the share varied widely by commodity specialization. Specialty crop farms, including fruit and tree nuts, vegetables and melons, and greenhouse and nursery operations, had the highest labor expense share. Labor accounted for about 40 cents of every dollar of cash expenses on these farms, nearly three times the all-farm average. Image Credit - USDA
Egg prices plummet in August - A vast "oversupply" has led to the situation
By Jeff Ishee Wholesale egg prices have fallen sharply — roughly 67% over the past month. In some areas, wholesale eggs are as low as 36 cents per dozen. Retail prices for eggs at grocery stores such as Walmart are down to $1.67 per dozen in many stores. This is quite different from the situation in late 2024, when wholesale eggs in the Midwest hit $5.57 per dozen and retail prices in California hit $8.85 per dozen. The spike in 2024 was blamed largely on a shortage of hens c
Eastern drought situation should see improvement by late November
by Jeff Ishee Data source: National Weather Service A new update from the National Weather Service Climate Prediction Center offers hope for farmers along the eastern seaboard. The region stretching from Pennsylvania to Florida is expected to see a complete removal of drought conditions. Other areas along the East Coast may see drought conditions persist, but improve over the next 90 days. In the Southeast, North Carolina, Virginia, and Georgia saw some of the most persistent
"Georgia Grown Wood" campaign touts local forestry products
Source: GA Farm Bureau by Jennifer Whittaker August 20, 2026 - Although Georgia’s forestry sector has had a tough year with multiple timber mills closing, a record number of wildfires statewide, and international trade issues, while speaking at the Georgia Farm Bureau Commodity Conference in Tifton in mid-August, Georgia Forestry Commission (GFC) Director and State Forester Johnny Sabo pointed out some of the positives the industry has going for it. Sabo said GFC is working w
Corn futures above $5 for first time in 18 months
by Ryan Hanrahan, University of Illinois' FarmDoc project Ryan Hanrahan is the Farm Policy News editor and social media director for the farmdoc project. Urbana, IL - Bloomberg's Ben Westcott reported that "corn futures topped the $5-a-bushel mark for the first time in 18 months as weaker-than-expected US crop tour results add to global supply concerns for the staple grain." "Reports from Western Iowa and Illinois released late Wednesday showed corn yields below those seen la
Antique Tractor Preservation Day observed on August 22
Source: National Antique Tractor Preservation Day news release Hutchinson, KS -- On August 22nd, communities across America will have the opportunity to celebrate Antique Tractor Preservation Day and honor the farmers, families, innovators, and machines that played an important role in building our nation. Restoring antique tractors is a popular hobby across America. Image credit - Jeff Ishee Preserving antique tractors and agricultural equipment keeps an important part of Am
About one‑third of all watermelons eaten in the United States are imported
by Jeff Ishee August 17, 2026 - Watermelon imports continue to rise as U.S. demand outpaces domestic production. Mexico remains the dominant supplier, providing roughly 80% of U.S. import volume because of its proximity and year-round output. Guatemala and Honduras are the fastest‑growing sources, expanding shipments by several million dollars year over year as growers scale acreage and improve logistics. In 2025, the United States imported $453M of fresh watermelons. The mai
Drought conditions gradually improving on NC farms
by Jeff Ishee North Carolina’s drought has steadily improved over the past three months, with repeated rounds of rainfall easing some of the state’s most severe dry conditions. According to recent U.S. Drought Monitor updates, extreme drought coverage has fallen to 5.72%, down from 8.3% a week earlier and 59% three months ago. Exceptional drought has been nearly eliminated statewide. Image credit - U.S. Drought Monitor Farmers say the improving moisture has helped stabilize s
U.S. tractor year-to-date sales down 13% from last year
Source: Association of Equipment Manufacturers (AEM) According to the Association of Equipment Manufacturers' monthly "Flash Report," sales of all tractors during July 2026 in the U.S. were down 11% from the same month last year. In July, a total of 15,985 tractors were sold, which compares to 17,938 sold in 2025. Image credit - M. Obenshain For the month, two-wheel drive smaller tractors (under 40 HP) were down 12% from last year, while 40 & under 100 HP were down 8%. Sales
New app from the University of Maryland makes diagnosing soybean diseases quick, easy and reliable
Source: University of Maryland College of Agriculture and Natural Resources by Kimbra Cutlip August 5, 2026 - What if farmers could diagnose crop diseases early with just a cellphone? Well, now, soybean farmers can, with the help of SoyAI, a new, artificial intelligence-powered diagnostic tool from the University of Maryland's Digital and Precision Agriculture Lab. The team has released the first phase of the AI-enabled diagnostic tool for field testing. This initial version
