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RALEIGH, NC – The N.C. Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services has confirmed an established presence of the invasive spotted lanternfly (Lycorma delicatula) in Davidson, Rowan and Caswell counties, bringing the total number of counties where established populations of this destructive pest has been found in the state to seven. Breeding populations have been found along Interstate 85 and I-285 corridors through Davidson County and as far south as Salisbury in Rowan Co

WASHINGTON, DC - On. Feb. 13, the USDA announced $1 billion in Assistance for Specialty Crop Farmers (ASCF) Program assistance for specialty crops and sugar, commodities not covered through the previously announced Farmer Bridge Assistance (FBA) program. These one-time bridge payments will help address market disruptions, elevated input costs, persistent inflation, and market losses from foreign competitors engaging in unfair trade practices that impede exports. ASCF payment

By Jeff Ishee February 20, 2026 - Drought conditions across several eastern states are now expected to persist at least through the end of May, according to new seasonal outlooks from federal forecasters at the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA). The outlook includes an area that stretches from Maine and Vermont to the Carolinas, Georgia, and Florida. The prolonged dryness follows a winter in which many areas saw significantly lower‑than‑normal water reso

by Jeff Ishee February 19, 2026 - A new report from the U.S. Department of Agriculture shows the nation’s agricultural landscape continued to contract last year, with thousands of farms disappearing amid ongoing economic pressures. According to the USDA, approximately 15,000 farms were lost nationwide in 2025, marking one of the steepest single‑year declines in more than a decade. Total land in farms, at 873,950,000 acres, decreased 2,510,000 acres from 2024. See the full re

Key points: Virginia’s cotton yield was estimated at 1,093 pounds per acre in 2025, which was 29 pounds below 2024. Cotton prices in mid‑2025 hovered around 65 cents per pound, a level Virginia growers described as "unprofitable" given high input costs. For 2026, an optimistic price range is 69–73 cents, while a pessimistic range is 61–66 cents. Heavy spring rainfall in 2025 prevented some Virginia farmers—especially in Southampton County—from planting all intended acres befo

Source: National Fish and Wildlife Foundation (NFWF) WASHINGTON, D.C. (February 11, 2026) – The National Fish and Wildlife Foundation (NFWF) and the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency today announced more than $44 million in grant awards to support water quality improvement, habitat restoration, and community stewardship efforts in the Chesapeake Bay watershed. The 72 grants will leverage nearly $31 million in non-federal matching contributions to generate a total conservat

Source: American farm Bureau Federation Key Takeaways Chapter 12 bankruptcies increased for the second year in a row , reaching 315 filings in 2025. This is a 46% increase from 2024. The Midwest and Southeast filed 121 and 105 Chapter 12 cases , respectively, far outpacing any other regions. Deep crop losses across commodities common in these two regions have compounded after years of declining receipts and rising expenses. Families must earn the majority of their income from

by Ryan Hanrahan, University of Illinois' FarmDoc project Urbana, IL -- Feb. 6, 2026 -- Reuters' P.J. Huffstutter reported that "in a sign of growing stress for U.S. farmers, the Agriculture Department forecast on Thursday that U.S. net farm income would fall 0.7% this year, despite near-record government payments that are expected to account for nearly 29% of producers' bottom line." "Net farm income, a broad measure of profitability in the agricultural economy, is forecast

Source: The National Cattlemen's Beef Association (NCBA) and CattleFax NASHVILLE, TN - Cattle and beef prices are forecast to average steady to higher in 2026, with risk increasing later in the year as markets anticipate larger supplies in 2027. Cow-calf producers are expected to retain the strongest leverage as the cycle turns, supporting continued profitability for several more years. CattleFax forecast the average 2026 fed steer price at $224/cwt., steady from 2025. All c

Source: Virginia Farm Bureau ASHLAND, VA — Beneath the ice-glazed blanket of snow testing Virginians’ patience is the promise of a verdant spring. While frozen conditions disrupt life on the street level, plants and grasses are insulated from extreme cold as slow-melting snow provides steady moisture and atmospheric nutrients. A winter storm in late January created a dense snowpack in many parts of Virginia. Image credit - Jeff Ishee Depending on conditions, soil-enriching e