…a young Missouri farmer named John W. Tyson, who recognized a growing need for fresh poultry in larger Midwestern markets. Beginning in 1931, Tyson began delivering chickens from southern Missouri…
America’s Early Forest Management Begins in 1876
…of timber. They were essential resources that required thoughtful management and conservation. This early federal involvement marked an important step toward the development of the modern system of forest management…
Henry A. Wallace and the Birth of Hybrid Corn
…with Mark Oppold. Henry A. Wallace and the Birth of Hybrid Corn American Agriculture History Minute Mark Oppold’s American Agriculture History Minute highlights the people, inventions and milestones that helped…
Smith-Lever Act Created USDA Extension Service in 1914
…farm management. For modern agriculture, the same principle applies as producers confront new challenges involving technology, sustainability, markets, natural resources and changing production conditions. The Legacy of the Smith-Lever Act…
Henry A. Wallace: More Than the Father of Hybrid Corn
…to the creation of Pioneer Hi-Bred, one of the most influential seed companies in American agricultural history. But Wallace’s legacy extended far beyond seed genetics. As Mark Oppold explains in…
Louis B. Schmidt Helped Put Agriculture in the History Books
…communities, markets, transportation systems and the nation’s broader economy. Teaching Agriculture’s History The early 20th century marked an important period in the development of agricultural history as an academic discipline….
U.S.-Canada Trade Talks Collapse, Raising Tariff Risks for Farm Exports
…potential retaliatory tariffs and reduced market access for American agricultural products. The breakdown comes as both countries continue to disagree over trade terms and the future of cross-border agricultural commerce….
From Horsepower to Tractor Power: A Slow Farm Revolution
…American agricultural history. What began as a gradual and sometimes cautious transition eventually reshaped farming across the United States. As Mark Oppold notes in this American Agriculture History Minute, the…
USDA Lowers Steer Price Forecasts for 2026 and 2027
DepositPhotos image World Agricultural Outlook Board Chairman Mark Jekanowski discussed USDA’s latest cattle market outlook, including lower steer price forecasts for both 2026 and 2027 as recent market conditions put…
USDA Lowers 2026 Butter Forecast as Dairy Product Prices Shift
DepositPhotos image World Agricultural Outlook Board Chairman Mark Jekanowski provided an update on the latest dairy market outlook, outlining changes to USDA forecasts for butter, nonfat dry milk and dry…
George Grant and the Early Rise of Angus Cattle in America
…become clear. The introduction of Angus cattle is now an important chapter in the development of the American beef industry. This has been an American Agriculture History Minute with Mark…
British Agricultural Revolution Helped Shape Modern Farming
…in the 18th century during what is commonly known as the British Agricultural Revolution. As Mark Oppold explains in this edition of American Agriculture History Minute, agriculture certainly existed long…
USDA: From Lincoln’s “People’s Department” to a Modern Agriculture Agency
…of agricultural and rural programs, including research, conservation, food and nutrition programs, agricultural markets, rural development and other services affecting farmers, consumers and rural communities. Lincoln’s “People’s Department” Legacy The…
Native American Agriculture Predates European Colonization
…History Minute, Mark Oppold examines the agricultural practices that existed before the arrival of European settlers and the important role Native peoples played in the early development of agriculture in…